2006-09-21 11:53:01 · 16 answers · asked by Tony A 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
i used to have this in spades... i got better, but it took a lot of time. most of my problem in social situations was really a problem i had with myself. i didn't like myself very much, so i thought no one else would either. figure out what it is about yourself that bugs you so much - look it in the eye. then decide if it's really a thing that needs fixing, or if its something that is just who you are. the fact that you like a wierd sport like curling...that is what makes you interesting! its fun to be an oddball!
i.e. people who turn into compulsive liars (like i did when i was a kid)when they get around other people. that would be something that needed dealing with. people with this problem think that other people won't find them very interesting, so they make up stories to make themselves more interesting. always backfires and drives people away.
the best thing to do is just be yourself, say what you mean and think, and let the chips fall where they may. (that doesn't mean to be thoughtless with your remarks...just be honest and straightforward). learn to enjoy who you are, and others will enjoy you too! really. one of the best ways to deal with it is to simply listen to other people...it gets you out of your own head, and stops you worrying what others think of you. the odd thing is, most people arent thinking about you at all...they are too busy thinking about themselves - just like you :) so everybody stands around wondering what everyone else is thinking - circular, isn't it?
good luck! you will be ok!
ps. acting classes really are a great idea - i have done a lot of acting - helped me get over my issues!
2006-09-21 12:26:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had social anxiety ever since i was, well actually i have always had it. I didn't even want to leave my house. I felt paralyzed from it. But i learned how to over come it.
Now i work in the USMC in special forces. I went to boot were i spent 3 months with absolutely no privacy, then after 10 days off, i traveled from new york to California for infantry school and its been like that threw my 3 years of constant moving around, constantly meeting new people further training and going on missions.
Basically you have to defeat your fear by changing the way you think. You need to realize you are in control not your fears. Don't ever over think anything. One problem i had was going over a situation in my had time and time again. Well don't do that. When you need to be in a social situation, force yourself to as quick as possible. Don't over think.
Listing to music and imagine yourself in a social situation, completely calm. But don't just imagine it, believe it, believe it is actually happening, like you no you can do it b/c you have don't it before.
Be confident even if you feel as though you have nothing to be confidant about. That's a big tip that worked great for me.
2006-09-21 21:46:13 · answer #2 · answered by onedetach 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suffer from SAD as well. As you know it can be hard to deal with, and people sometimes just dont understand. Seeing your doctor can really help, but you have to be careful of medicine as it can have the wrong effect on you. I have had to deal with bad medicine before. Just let your doc know if any medicine you may eventually take ever has a strange effect. It is so wonderful when you can feel yourself progress, and enjoy being the social activity again. Good luck.
2006-09-21 18:59:18 · answer #3 · answered by Shadow Dreamer. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my daughter suffers from that. counseling and meds help...she tried 6 DIFFERENT meds before we found one that was suitable for her needs. it takes time. do not self medicate with drugs and alcohol.....people with this disorder have different brain waves than people w/o this disorder. i made her get a job...slowly, she is facing her fears and facing the public...just remember, what works for one person may not work for another. the only person who can answer this is a licensed mental health expert. good luck!!!!
2006-09-21 19:32:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're interested in a solution that does not require the use of medication, then try this site:
http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/?utm_source=YahooAnswers&utm_medium=link%2Bpost
It has helped many people that have had panic/anxiety attacks....
Good Luck...
2006-09-22 17:20:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact a doctor
2006-09-21 19:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by §†reet R¥dA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give yourself lots of time before you have to leave the house to get focused.Play rock and roll music and dance around the house by yourself to get in the mood to socialize.Also realize alot of other people have it too.maybe you are like me and just prefer to be alone.Its ok.I hate crowds really bad myself feel panicky.
2006-09-21 19:11:25 · answer #7 · answered by butterflyspy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find a good doctor who will put you on meds and monitor your progress or lack of it. He/she will teach you coping skills. There are groups like AA for people with anxiety.
2006-09-21 18:56:48 · answer #8 · answered by goldielocks123 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take a Xanax. And stay away from people as much as you can. I married someone with this problem and you can guess it didn't last too long.
2006-09-21 19:17:49 · answer #9 · answered by ravin_lunatic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to your doctor and see a counselor. Your doctor can put you on meds so that you won't feel crazy anylonger. I have tried Zoloft, Lexapro, and now Paxil............Lexapro was great but I gained sooooooo much weight and I was even dieting.....
2006-09-21 18:55:24 · answer #10 · answered by cindy4 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋