How do I tell my wife that I have social anxiety?
We have been married for 5 years. Since my childhood social anxiety is with me and I have been suffering for long 20 years now. I used to take medication for my anxiety disorder and I remember that was the only time I felt good in my entire life but I discontinued it after a couple of years for some reasons. Now I am in a point in life where I really need medication again to calm my nerves once again or may be the rest of my life. But I am married now and I don't want to let my wife know I have some kind of psychiatric disorder where I need medication to survive. But I cannot avoid her I cannot go for a doctor and get medicine prescribed without she knowing I know I must tell but I am afraid being a man I lose my respect it may badly affect my macho man personality (bad ego) cz the society always have a bad attitude towards mental illness especially when men suffers. But my illness severely affects our quality of life. At least for my family I need to be healthy minded but I am afraid to open up to her. How I do I gain courage to talk to her about it. Is it a bad idea telling her? I would greatly appreciate any advice here!