How To Overcome Social Anxiety Without Drugs
80How To Overcome Social Anxiety
Overcome Social Anxiety
For those who suffer from social anxiety, learning how to overcome social phobia is extremely important. Social anxiety can create many problems at work, at home, in relationships, and in reality it keeps many sufferers stuck in a lifestyle that will never allow them to live full meaningful and productive lives.
Fortunately, overcoming social anxiety is possible and isn’t difficult. In most cases, the best solutions to overcoming this phobia is social skills training, and self help therapy, rather than drugs which is not able to produce permanent changes in your brain.
>> Use These 10 Steps to Overcome Social Anxiety, Social Phobia & Shyness
Defining Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is a psychological condition in which a person may feel an uncontrollable intense or overwhelming fear of any kind of social situation. More severe than shyness, suffers will always be excessively worried about themselves and what other people might think of them and will try to avoid all gatherings where they need to come in contact with a group of strangers. Individuals may also experience physical symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, muscle spasms and even palpitation while in a social envirnoment, and in more serious cases, panic attacks.
How to Overcome Social Anxiety
Since social anxiety disorder is mostly a psychological problem, you can significantly reduce your anxiety through a variety of interesting strategies without medications. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to overcome your own social anxiety.
1. Control Your Reaction to Fear - One of the biggest problems with any type of anxiety disorder is the reactions it causes in our bodies. Increased heart rate, a racing mind, sweating, shakiness, and other reactions can result from our fears. Overcoming these reactions is as simple as learning relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and self hypnosis.
2. Prepare Yourself Mentally - Rather than let your fear of embarrassment or humiliation overwhelm you in social settings, role play a few scenairos in advamce to make sure you are well prepared for any challenging situations. If you are prepared for things that can go wrong and you know what to do and say in those awkward moments, you will have the confidence to keep calm and handle the situation well.
3. Face Your Fears - Sometimes, our social fears does not stem from a lack of social skills, but rather from a sense of insecurity and a lack of esteem. By stepping outside your comfort zone and placing yourself in uncomfortable situations such as speaking in front of your peers or complimenting someone, and doing it repeatly, the easier it becomes. Soon you will soon realize that there is actually nothing to fear from most people and you may even enjoy and laugh about it.
4. Get Involve Socially - Take an assertiveness class, volunteer for a event that keeps you in a social setting, and work to build relationships with people you normally wouldn’t. Alternatively, join a local or online support group and talk with other like minded individuals with the same problem and hear their struggles and triumphs. This will give you the confidence you need to help break your self imposed barrier of fear.
5. Positive Visualization And Affirmation - The way you think strongly influences the way you feel. The realization that only you can control how you think, and how those thoughts control you, is an important step in overcoming social anxiety. When those thoughts, such as “I’m going to fail” or “they will make fun of me” begin making their way into your mind, challenge those negativity and replace them with more realistic, calmer thoughts. Tell yourself that you are capable, confident, and wonderful to combat those negative thoughts. Positive visualization and affirmation are helpful in motivating you along the road to curing yourself of this problem and improving your self worth.
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This is very helpful,thanks.I always thought i was alone with this social phobia.To see so many people here experiencing similar problems as myself,makes me feel like i am not so alone in this after all.
Bslasher22 I think i know how you feel,'cause I have similar problems.I am not unpleasant to look at and so have had some attention from women.But i am so uncomfortable with people(anybody,men or women) looking at me that i always make a fool of me,especially with women.I am 22yrs old and can't talk to women at all.I feel shortness of breath,increased heart rate and can't even say things properly.I then become so uncomfortable, that everyone knows i am afraid ,that i just totally break down mentally.
There were times when i felt less fear when meeting people,but that was only when after some particularly humiliating incidents I was forced to come out of my shell and try to be more outgoing.Spirituality helped me a lot especially Hindu and Buddhist meditation and philosophy.But after sometime,i would just revert to being my old self again-always afraid of people,avoiding social situations and pretty much locked up in my own room in my parent's house.I also have started lots of video games on my PC.At least,the over the top violence and make-believe reality of these games gives me a sense that i am not irrelevant.
I was very talented when i was young and did well in academics and won every academic competition.All my teachers and relatives thought I had a bright future.But the along came S.A.D,and i am now a student who has to struggle to get the minimum passing marks.I also have no exercise whatsoever,'cause i am always sitting in front of either the computer or the T.V.
Basically i have decide that i want to overcome this social phobia.So, i have decided on an experiment.I will just go out of my house and walk around the town for 4 or 5 hours everyday for a month and see how that works out.Maybe others reading this comment can also try this experiment and share their thoughts on this.
I feel so similar and understood when I read these posts about SA. My social anxieties derived from tough memories that led to irrational fears. Calling out those fears one by one and actually challenging them by "doing something about it" has been a help for me. An extreme example- several friends became homeless during/after college. I fretted and worried about them and my own well being, and eventually decided to allow myself to become homeless for a week and see if I can get back on my feet. It was one of the most enriching and freeing experiences of my life.
My ex-girlfriend joined a cult. She's beautiful, mind you, she just had a difficult past and really wanted a "new family." I worried about her for months then finally went to this cult and realized that it was very "out there" but by all means safe. I still check up on her and my current girlfriend understands that's my way of managing the "things I can't control."
I think "face your fears" goes a long way with us creative, hyper analytical people. Seriously, use your mind to our advantage, not your disadvantage. People with SA have seen the "lows" of psychology and human experience, and if you've lived with it for years you have been blessed to experience "sensations" that non-creative people will never experience. By embracing some seemingly "uncontrollable" aspects of SA, like panic attacks, as merely "extremely interesting happenings" I've been able to attach humor and intrigue to these panic attack/near death feelings. It's amazing what our mind is capable of, and I now revel at the idea that I am king of my body- and I can basically "blow myself up" by thinking about tons of negative things. After a few weeks of this philosophy, I have had zero panic attacks. I used to have 1 or 2 per day. So: be interested in your capabilities, even the ones that seem harmful. Realize your SA is just another special talent, another "hyper ability" that some of us extra-sensitive people have learned through evolution or through "rising above" the normal, or better yet, "boring" social norms.
"What? You mean you've never had a panic attack and blown yourself up with your own thoughts?.... You've never lived!"
Aside from facing fears, challenging memories with real life management, and finding a sense of humor about our 'super powers'... There is a medical and biochemical reality to SA. For me, my SA came after taking accutane, a medication that has affected the good health of my entire nervous/endocrine system. Doctors tell me the medication overwhelmed my adrenal function, which exhausted my liver, adrenals, and gave me temporary reactive hypoglycemia and blood sugar fluctuations... Which has led to SA and many other challenging mental states.
I'm 22, and I am now a huge advocate for "routine." Give yourself a fighting chance against SA by sleeping at 10pm (liver heals then). Exercise when you're feeling angst. For the love of God, animals, and humanity, do not support fast food. I love whisky, but stopped drinking alcohol. I miss coffee and coffee shops, but will avoid it for a solid year to give my adrenal function a chance to heal. And last, if you want to balance and recharge your brain chemistry, don't have any sex for a month. In the meantime, buy a vegetable juicer, some organic produce, and let's give our mind and body a chance to heal from stress.
Jessica..I can relate. Your not alone, I,and many others understand and share your pain and frustrations. Hang in there.
Hi everyone I am 42 years oldmale and I've been live with this since I was able to think by myself very young. I've never change and I will always be this way for t rest of my life. I think I very selfish I like to be alone never open or let anyone near never trusssst anybody touch, look or talk to me. I love to escape oh yea from friends never bother. I have never share my thoughts or desires just shut up and go. It okay nobody notice eheheh....!
For me, the worst thing is the physical reactions, because I can not control them. I can act out going, tell my self I'm being paranoid if that's the case, but stopping twitching, head jerking requires so much effort, it's not really sustainable as I get so stressed from it. Also it's distracting as it requires probably half my attention which means I can't use that to think about the task at hand. It's so annoying I avoid doing anything other than stuffing around at home on the laptop. It pisses me off so much cause I am very gifted, when I was young I did extremely well at everything, socially, academically, sportingly, I was practically a prodigy, then SAD came along and I fail at everything I do because of it. I am a 19 year old boy, I should be arrogantly confident, having sex with lots of women, and loving life, instead I am a bum living with my parents, avoiding every situation that involves other people. If I didn't have this affliction I know I would win at everything which makes it so frustrating!!!
I can relate to what most people have said in this forum. I was always very shy growing up through school and anxiety and nervousness has been with me from as far back as I remember. But does anyone feel.. that sometimes when I look back at my life, I go through extremes on either end of the spectrum, although I am generally introverted and I would say socially anxious, there's other periods in my life when I am loud and centre of attention in certain circles where I am comfortable, or contexts like work.. where there is more of an emphasis on my professional, work persona and less pressure to be a social butterfly.
I have all the symptoms of SA as I get nervous in social settings and develop a rash on my chest, and negative, racing, self-depreciating thoughts where I just want to run away and escape!!
But then, on the other hand, my grandmother said the other day, you have backpacked around the world, you have done so many things that you'd think those with SA would never do?
I don't understand, I don't know where I fit in? It's like I am on the constant borderline of TRYING so hard will all my might to live a normal life, and on the other side... wanting to give in and avoid friends.
I just wanted to know, does anyone else feel this way? Is the episodes of SA or inconsistencies in their SA?
I don't even know where to start with this, and I'm not about to go deep into the whole psychological aspect of this or take you back to my Jr High and High School years (where this whole social anxiety was provoked and started).
However, I will just say this; If any of you reading this right now are parents, MAKE SURE that not only do you "raise your kids properly", but know about and LISTEN to their feelings in regard to the type of experiences they must deal with in school, because certain things CAN and WILL come back to "haunt you" (or them) and affect them in unpredictable ways later in life... and it can indeed destroy any child's dreams & passions, or even life in general!
Anyway, I'm not getting into any deeper explanation regarding what I've been through in the past, as I do not feel like typing too much at the moment. However, I will respond to a few things I've seen within these comments (in addition to describing some of the affects my "teenage / childhood traumas" have caused up until today): One thing that really stood out to me here was someone who said they were in their 40's, and mentioned how you shouldn't wait until it's "too late" to do something about S.A.D. It's very ironic that I saw this today because I am 30, and... well, have had many (very recent and past) thoughts of just giving up on life. The dilemma with that, though, is my fear of death, which exceeds my social fear and exhaustion from the pain and suffering of feeling helpless and at times, worthless and extremely tired of life. But at the same time, I feel like I've missed out on what could have been a great childhood and I really don't think it's worth it to live to be 40, 50,...etc. KNOWING very well that I WILL eventually live in regret about my past experiences & younger years. I mean, 1/3rd of my life is already over, and I know that I'm not going to become MORE physically attractive or even younger as time proceeds. In addition to that, I also have a feeling that it would take at the least a few years to "fix the damage" that's been done to myself mentally from these years of social anxiety that stemmed from my childhood / teenage experiences.
Lets say my childhood didn't "take a turn for the worse" and things went how I wished (or planned at the time); I could see myself today, working for, or associated with NASA in some way, or flying commercial planes for a living, or into architecture or meteorology...etc. as oppose to sitting here with this social anxiety thing and having it affect my employment, family, relationships with people, and dating life...etc. (and for you guys out there who have purchased or downloaded countless advanced dating advice products out there trying to "discover" the laws of attraction or develop the "bad boy" image, it's not that those dating advice & "techniques" don't work or that they're rip offs, it's simply that it's nearly impossible for you to use what you learn from that material correctly when your mind is full of a bunch of thoughts, over-analyzation, doubts, and self consciousness...etc. which are affecting the body language and things you MUST possess on order to attract (and not repel)women!).
Anyway,.... I never turned to drugs or drinking (although there were many times I thought about it), but I've always had one thing to help me cope - which is music. As you can probably guess, I've become overly-obsessed with music and very rarely to never ever leave home without headphones and dj mixes I spend an unusual amount of hours creating and perfecting. As you've also probably guessed, my social anxiety has also held me back from going as far as I could've gone with the whole dj'ing thing... |
Now, I do know that I'm only 30 and I still have the chance to get into aviation (which is probably a lot more sensible for someone with SOCIAL anxiety than dj'ing!). However, I'm still wondering; Will the rest of my life (dating, outdoor festivities & hobbies) will ever be enjoyably fulfilled - before it's too late? Will I ever feel a full sense of freedom - like I did when I was a kid who was free to just be without the fear of being judged?
I seriously don't think it's worth it to have a bad childhood and only look forward to (possibly) enjoying myself - as an elderly person, with my only best (main) childhood memories being a bunch of house, dance, and electro club music mixtapes, cd's and mp3's to reminisce over, reminding me of another day sitting up in a room somewhere trying to make up for my "loss of social life" on facebook or something. If anything, I wish I could just end everything and start over fresh, hoping for a better outcome (but I cannot surpass my fear of death, or not knowing for sure what happens after death...). I also hate the guilt of knowing I'm fortunate to have other things (and not even have it as bad as some people here who actually faint or have panic attacks - which I've never experienced), but yet I still feel hopeless all because of this huge imaginary wall of social anxiety blocking me, holding me back, and making me rethink, over-analyze, and beat myself up for every little thing I actually do that gives me even the slightest sign towards a result I don't want! I also hate that social awkward clumsiness I feel when I'm out within large groups of people trying to "play it cool"! I'm also tired of using social networks to "hide behind a wall" and be the witty, social, fun guy that everyone can love, knowing damn well that most likely, if I ever had to meet any of these "friends" in person, I would "be in trouble" when it comes to not being fully congruent with who I was online. And most of all, I just hate that feeling of not knowing what to say to or how to properly "fit in" with most people, and that fear I get once I receive news that I will be attending a social setting! I just want to be able to go out freely WITHOUT the worries, mental planning, and acting, and self critiquing, and being all In My Head like Jason DeRulo! I hate the fear of "what if I'm asked to dance" in night clubs and parties and the possibility of looking like a clumsy fool like Elaine Bennis on Seinfeld! (And it's even worse when you're African-American and you're "embarrassing yourself" in front of people who SHARE your ethnicity!)
In reality, this problem is so easy to fix - just get out there and be your true self (in most cases) with confidence is all you really have to do... yet, it is also so extremely hard and difficult to do... because, for some reason, a bunch of strangers judging and ridiculing you (me) is a very big deal and a huge fear that exists, almost at the same level as... well, for some folks, being in a plane during landing and hearing an announcement that one of the wheels are stuck inside and wont come out.
Anyway, ... I just wonder; What would life be like without social anxiety? How much greater COULD it be / would it have been? What would it be like to feel free to act a fool like Conan O'Brien and enjoy yourself in front of large groups of people, trusting that it will only attract MORE people TOWARDS liking you?
I surely hope that SOMEDAY, I'll be and feel free enough to find out. Why does what everyone else thinks matter to me so much? And would all these fears of social anxiety and rejection still be a big deal - if I won the lottery, or was told I had a week/two weeks/a month to live, or would I over analyze the "what if they're lying" possibility and continue to hold back out of the fear of finally just "putting myself out there"?
And lastly, what would I do if someone I knew was in a life threatening situation and there was a huge crowd of people around? Would I be "brave enough" to attempt to do something or save a life or shout out loud to call someone in front of people, or would I be as frightened as when I see a fine girl at a bus stop or some place I want to speak to with a whole bunch of guys or people around, thinking about all the things that could go wrong and how I'd be judged if I mess up or end up not being heard as I stand there awkwardly trying to speak?
As you can see, S.A.D is a serious thing, and this is coming from someone who doesn't even have
The first time i noticed I had anxiety was when I was 8 years old, it was when I had my first so called girlfriend. I wouldn't call it that thought because I was way to shy to even say anything to her I am rather good looking so growing up I was had a lot of girls look my way. However, I never took advantage of any of the opportunities with girls, I was always to shy or scared. When I was 12 years old my brother 16 at the time was diagnosed with as a Schizo affective. Since then my family has been a wreck. That was also one of the reasons why I didn't want a girlfriend in middle school and high school cause my family was so fucked up cause of my brother. I often regret this. Anyways now I am in College. My roomates all think im weird cause of social anxiety. Anxiety really sucks I can relate to so many of you in here. When I am all alone i feel fine or even happy but as soon as a come in contact with another human being, this huge wave of anxiety just flows through me. I act so strange and the more i try to control it the worse it gets, its so frustrating. My grades are starting to drop now because it pissing me off so much I am almost at war with I wouldn't really call it myself but this separate part of me called anxiety. I want to go see a doctor but I can tell it hurt my parents to think there is something wrong with me too. I have bought Xanax from friends and loved it. I act so cool and the real me is able to come out since I am no longer at war with my anxiety. However, I know this drug has terrible side effects and the prohibits me from taking it. I Have been thinking about the beta blockers i might give them a shot.
Just throw yourself out there without overthinking and do one thing that scares you a day.
This is a great article. I'm a sufferer myself. I'm 40 years old and my life is a mess because of this disorder. My job is mediocre. People ask me "this is all you can? Can't you do better? At your age?" I can't tell them why I can't do better. I can't go to an interview for a better job. The interviewer will "see me"! As for my love life, I'm not married to the girl I really wanted, but to the girl that accepted me as I am - a disordered person. She's not happy, I'm not happy.
And so on, this disorder destroyed my life. But I'm decided now to take some steps. I'll see a doctor and ask for medications. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't believe in behavioral therapies. Anyhow, I have an advice for younger sufferers: don't wait until it's too late!
At the end, an observation I made: I'm not pretty sure (I didn't heard about studies on this - maybe the scientist will make some), but I think fools are not affected by this disorder; only sensible, smart people (like us! ;-)) are.
Like Bertrand Russell said: "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
Anon 8 months ago
"You dont have a disorder its all in your head. Just choose not to have it."
Tell the same to someone with lung cancer. "It`s all in your lung. Get over it." Stupid.
I have aspergers syndrome which is high functioning autism. That means you barely notice I have it because I come across as mostly normal. But...I find it difficult to socialise.
This has mutated into a social anxiety problem. I used to not give a damn but after years of bullying through school and general life being a downer, I've started to become really paranoid and introverted.
I feel like everyone finds me wierd...
I'm trying to get back on track. Wish me luck as I'll be wishing all of you luck too : )
So I cant be around people never used to be like this tell i went to event and everyone told me i smelt bad i was on drugs and either farted or sharted now every where i go i have this fear that i smell bad i ask friends and family they say i smell fine it was a one time thing but i can't leave my house anymore i just want to leave hangout with people again go to school but every time i get around a group of people i start sweating and need to get away from them i just wish this would stop i hate living like this and i don't know if i smell or if its all in my mind i wish i had the money to move away where no one could find me sometimes i think i should just kill myself it would be easier that way but other days i want to live so bad i want to be able to leave this fear behind me and go on with my life I'm only 20 I'm so young but this is a huge problem and because of this i drink because when i drink i don't know if its i don't care what people think but it makes it easier to be around people but now I'm getting sick because i drink everyday i don't have health insurance so i cant see a doctor i don't know what I'm going to do i just want to be normal again i cant even hangout with a couple friends before i get self conscious and have to go ask my family if i smell OK I'm praying that one day i won't have to worry about this kinda thing but here's my advice to you guys i know its hard to be around people speak in front of them but if you smell good you have that that's not something you have to worry about like me so for you it might be bad but for others it can be worse so think positive look to god and i hope we can all overcome are fears
I like the idea of drug free but perhaps a combination has value too. I was prescribed a low dose beta blocker and wow what a fantastic drug. This then helped me to focus on the "positives" that have been pointed out here. Once you do get this under control it really is a life changing moment.
to Yasmin,
I hear you... I too was once in the same shoes... but I have manage to overcome it after I hear this from Anthony Robbins
"There is no such thing as failure. There are only results".
I took that phrase and went about with the 5 steps mention above and I have since overcome my social anxiety problems... and that is just 5 years ago when I was still a fearful and shy person.
You too can do it Yasmin... remember the little guy can succeed.
Anon 2 months ago: You dont have a disorder its all in your head. Just choose not to have it.
@ Anon That is called denial my friend lol
I am extremely shy, timid and anxious..i have symptoms like a dry throught, my voice starts shaking, i stutter, i start sweating etc. in social settings..i know just what to say in my head but have such a hard time expressing it verbally..i start mumbling; it really holds me back and i get mad at myself because i have so much to offer, but no one really knows what I am capable of because I am not able to share it with people..especially people that can help me move forward and that can help me make something of myself.. Currently I am doing my internship at a general trade and construction company abroad...and i do good in school..and have so many ideas right now for this company; my head is exploding.. but i cannot find the strength to go up to my supervisor and tell him what is on my mind..I tried to do it several times, because I want to overcome this anxiety, it's is driving me crazy and I feel that I deserve a life without meaningless anxieties.. however I blacked out every single time, and could not bring a single word out..and then I get so embarrassed that i got more anxious.. I get mad at myself later on.. and feel bad for a couple of days and then I try it again...
The feeling does not become less overtime.. I have been trying to practice in front of the mirror.. I repeatedly recall what I have practiced in my head.. when I go to work I feel so confident..But as soon as I enter my office, each good feeling I had about my self goes a way and I go sit behind my desk and can not wait till my shift is over..
it is really frustrating that you cannot express your thoughts, it makes you feel alone.. The thing is I know that I am creative and smart and have so many other skills.. but i cannot show them because I am not able to.. I get so mad and cry all the time at the end of the day..because everyday i wake up and say to myself; today i am going to do well and show what i am capable of.. but at the end of the day i get so disappointed i just want to crawl under the covers in my bed.. I have this sociar fear since I was 15 years old (now i am 20), but it was never so bad as now..Maybe it is because I really have to do it on my own this time i don't know..
i feel depressed because of this fobia.. i don't eat anymore, i cry a lot, i feel alone and empty, and i really don't care about anything and really want to sleep all day and not even think..
I want to know if you can overcome this by yourself or should i really search for someone professional to assist me in overcoming this fobia..i am afraid that this anxiety will ruin all my hopes and dreams..i want to do so much and i want to become so many great things but this damn fobia slaps me in the face every time i try to be assertive and impulsive.
As a long-time sufferer of social anxiety disorder myself, I've been there. The medication provides some great, immediate relief. However, what I found is that it does not cure the underlying problems. The root of the problem could be something that happened as a kid that caused you to withdraw from social situations. It could be a learned response because you do not have adequate experience in social situations. On the other hand, it may be something that happened to you that is so deeply hidden in your subconscious, that you are not even aware of what it is.
Well, u start it with.. it isn't difficult. I have been suffering with social phobia since I was 16. couldn't eat in front of anyone, cant call anyone, sometimes not even my mom or siter. I am 28 yrs old. at the age of 16 I used Herion to control the anxiety, then I've been clean for 11 yrs. And very proud of that, but it's only getting worse. I tried ativan and overtook that. I don't know how to take them right it's like I just want it to go away so I take them so much. I have a family, a loving family but can't understand AT ALL abt it. They think I am crazy and it's all in my head, which some is. But they have no idea. I can't work nor go to school... I have a 3 yr old son whom I cant even get the nerve to put him in pre-K. At this point I feel very very lonely and do want to give up but how can I be so selfish, how could I just leave my family. My fiance hates my pills that I am prescribed (non narcotic) and will not let me take narcotic which helps me, I've been through Dacco 6 mths inpatient and it really saved my life. We live w/ his family whom takes narcotics for anxiety and I have taken one twice each months apart. But it was just to call a school or a doctor and that is all. I want to be a good mother and some day wife, but all the trust is gone. I am losing the will to move forward but I know in my heart I need to go to school for myself and my son. So tell me how is that possible if I can't force myself to do it, I get sick and feel faint. Cant breath and shake. I just need someone to relate to me because my own family does not. None of them. They do not live in my shoes. I hope one day soon I can be relieved of this burden. I am petrified at this point.
Medications in most cases dont help for social anxiety.
I recommend these tips:
-avoid coffee as it increases the social anxiety levels.
Drink tea/juice/water instead
-think positive,positive,positive.Refuse to let negative thoughts enter your head.
-Majority of you have imaginations where people mock at you but for a few like me, it is actually real.
-Practice makes perfect so practice everyday meeting new people and thinking of them as people who are just like you.
-never show people that you are weak as they will take advantage of you which happened to me.
-Believe in God,yourself and your abilities.
-dont depend on medictaions as it is less likely to cure you.
-talk to some councellor if you feel there is no improvement after practicing teh above tips for a few days.
You dont have a disorder its all in your head. Just choose not to have it.
I've had this for 4 years
idk.
Nothing is helping me at all
Thanks so much for the article! I'm in High school and I'm pretty sure I suffer from social anxiety disorder...It freaking sucks! But this article helped me a lot...i like the part about complimenting someone, can't believe i never thought of that! And to the person down there who talked about social phobics anonymous, THANK YOU SO MUCH 'm gonna get into that! great article..
I really enjoyed this article it is very helpful for my social anxiety. I have suffered all my life and grew worse through out high school. As a 19 year old male I get so fustrated over my social anxiety it humiliates me and makes me act like an insecure extreme softy whos to afraid to stand up for himslef, but ironicly im a big buff guy. I act so nice to people to avoid being scared from them but that behaviour only asserts that their scary. Hope fully i can apply these techniques to battle my fears. Its time for a change for all of use to live a fullfilling life that we are intitiled to.
I have been dealing with social anxiety for 7 years. No one knows how it feels unless you have been in our shoes. It is so nice to know there are others out there with the same fear as I have. It will be great once I can walk out of my home and not feel scared to do so! Thanks for the article! It is harder than it may seem though.
What a great site. If you don`t like a comment you just ignore it to maintain the false image. Excellent.
"Fortunately, overcoming social anxiety is possible and isn’t difficult." > who says so? I guess somebody who never had it!
In the last 5 years I spent enormous time, efforts and money to overcome it but I am still at the same place. Nothing is more difficult than overcome this problem. this is the devil`s trap...
I appreciate your point about being mentally prepared, and if that preparation includes some techniques for feeling calm and confident it will be even more effective.
Getting involved socially has helped a lot of my clients overcome anxiety. I can't stress enough the importance of getting out there and meeting people. It works wonders against attacking anxiety.
This article is really good. I could relate to the part about positive visualization. That really helped me a lot along with learning how to let go of control, developing faith and meditation as well.
Really great article. It shows that there is a lot that we can do for ourselves to help social anxiety (with healthy support and the right information). I want to share that I have been hugely helped by attending social anxiety support groups. In particular I call into free telephone support groups offered by Social Anxiety Anonymous also known as Social Phobics Anonymous. These have helped me to overcome most of my social anxiety (I've been about 80% better for about 5 1/2 years now. Anyway, they are a nonprofit organization and here is their web address: www.healsocialanxiety.com
I believe any option that encourages a non medication option is well worth considering. Some great and extremely valid points and suggestions here, thanks!
Great job on this hub. I like the depth and breadth of the information.
I really like this a lot, because those of us who know what its like, know that its hard to live comfortably because of that anxiety. So many of us do turn to alcohol and drugs as a social lubricant. Before we know it, we find it hard to live comfortably sober, next thing you know you have two problems feeding off of each other. The drugs exacerbate the anxiety symptoms. I can remember living in a world of panic on days waking up after drinking, being physically hung over, dehydrated, and wishing I could crawl in a hole-let alone be in public. It was mortifying, see the panic was bad enough even before the alcohol and drugs, but I thought I found the answer to making the world a better place to be in for me. Im trying not to get into a drunkalogue here...LOL.
Your tips are great, and very insightful.
I have suffered from social anxiety for the past four and half years since the death of my first husband. It can be crippling. For myself, I chose a path that has involved heavy prescription drug use, therapy and self motivation. It took me a lot of 'wrong turns' to put on my path to recovery.
My panic attacks strike quickly & violently. My blood pressure will drop to a critical level at lightening speed. I immediately will be covered in goosebumps and my flesh-tone turns to a very pasty blueish white color. My mind does not get the opportunity to settle down and think. My brain will not allow me to access the 'self-control' mode. My brain thinks I am dying and goes into overload. But that is me and that is my life suffering for this crippling condition. It is important to understand your condition and how YOUR brain reacts to the affliction. Most importantly, you must make the choice to no longer be a victim. Pity gets you no where fast!
I have went about my recovery similiar to what you have suggested. What has been the most benefitial is being honest w/ myself & Doctors, taking my medications as prescribed, and learning how to mediate. Combining some the basic mediation principles on the Buddha and Hindu philospheies has literally been life saving. I have gone from taking 40 pills a day, to only 18 pills a day. My goal is to be completely cured & drug-free. It's a process. I applaud your hub on this particular subject. Your advice is right on the money & I think it'll be a welcoming & well received hub. I just felt the need to add to your advice based off of my own personal experience. Without the drugs, I would'nt been able to recondition and change how my brain thinks and works. Without daily meditiation and practice, I can not save myself when trouble comes calling. Practice the guidelines above folks. Practice, practice, practice.... Very nice hub, thank you. Julie Grimes
Hllokitt 8 weeks ago
this is a very helpful article..I came upon it because today in class I felt I had a panic attack when I raised my hand and answered a question in class. I answered half the question, while unsure of the other half I became nervous, shaky, red, and ultimately lost my train of thought, to the point where I forgot to breathe which is essential to S.A. I am aware it takes small steps as is to most situations in life, but today's S.A. felt awful...I just went home and went to bed and told myself no one is perfect and so I shouldn't be too hard on myself..
I assume it is part of inheritance. My mother has anxiety and depression. Although not diagnosed I feel there is learned behavior, or biological inheritance.