I need help with social anxiety and depression?

Question

I need help with social anxiety and depression? Since I can remember I was always feeling anxious and tense around group of people. I didnt know what was wrong though. I remember sitting in school in class or being in church and couldn't wait till leave it as soon as possible. And when I was out of there I felt so much better. I never knew what was the problem. I was 14 back than.Now I am 21 and I know that I suffer from social anxiety and depression. I get panic attacks whenever I try to socialize. It made my life miserable.I stop at the red light and I think everybody is looking at me and I get panic attacks. I can't even talk on the phone anymore. Its really hard for me to go to grocery store,I know if someone will talk to me I will get panic attack. It have been this intense for last 3 years. I dont have any friends now even though I used to have lots.I stayed home most the last 3 years having agrophobia. I need help,how can I beat it?Where did it came from? Any help appreciated.

Answer 1

I have had a very similar experience when I was your age.

There are several things that have helped me:
Light exercise... walking around the block, dancing to music in your room, etc. Of course if you are in better shape and can do cardio, then by all means do it. But make sure you are comfortable with what you are doing.

You should probably see a doctor if you aren't already. Both consoling and medications can help quite a bit.

The last one is difficult, but important. You probably need to confront the fears you have that you know are irrational. For example, if you are sitting at a stop light, and the thought occurs to you that people are watching you, try to relax and work through the fear. As you habituate to a fear like that you will overcome it. If you find that you have anxiety while going shopping, you may actually want to make some deliberate stops to the grocery store to pick up a few small items so that you will be exposed to the situation.

You can beat this, it is hard, but I hope that you do.

Answer 2

This comes from only 1 thing.
There is nothing physically wrong with you
There is nothing mentally wrong with you.
You are not crazy, mental, weird or anything like that.
What has happened is this: You were at some point under a lot of pressure or stress, possibly for a period of time. Your internal "stres-meter" was bouncing up to HIGH ALERT.
Then it, for whatever reason- and the reasons doesn't matter-- it got stuck.
That's it.
It is now stuck on high and sending you "fear sensations" inappropriately. This HIGH ALERT meter creates sensations like stomach pains, faintless, desire to run away, wanting to hide. The problem is: your brain now believes that it is right to respond this way and thinks it's doing the right thing because it got stuck. You KNOW it's wrong, but the subconscious is saying "fear fear fear" like a traffic light blinking when it's broken.
The more you avoid life, the more your subconscious believes that the "fear fear fear" response is correct-- it's like you are confirming that to yourself. Next thing you know, you become afraid of strangers.. then friends.. then crowds.. then the bus.. then the market...then leaving the house...then the phone.

There's only 1 way out and it's not with drugs.-- Don't let anyone give you pills-- they are dangerous and highly addictive. It's all about re-programming your thought process, unsticking the HIGH ALERT so it falls back to normal, and then you're cured.
If you're interested in working through this, I'll send you the link to a site where you can get into the program. (I dont' have any part of the program, not "selling" it or representing it-- I just know it worked for me.)

PS- As for the depression, I think you're basically just fed up with being this way and the frustation and sadness and anger you feel for feeling "weird" is making you want to give up because you don't believe you'll ever be "normal" and it all feels hopeless.

Answer 3

Ok....antipressants can be dangerous for young ppl under the age of 17 to take. As for medications that can help with anxiety and depression...I have had success with Effexor XR and Trazodone. Both are used to treat both symptoms you mentioned. I have been diagnosed with Clinical Depression and SAD (Social anxiety disorder). The Effexor and Trazodone have allowed me to function again. I am in sales so having anxiety about being in social situations really wasn't working out real well. It sounds to me like you need to speak to a professional about the issues you are having. Be sure to do a lot of research and get educated about the different medications available on the market right now. Cymbalta is supposed to be good for treating both the emotional & physical symptoms of depression. Also be active in your treatment and don't be afraid to seek help. You can get help and live a normal life. I am!

Answer 4

Maybe the problem is you think other people are way more important ( causing you anxiety about your behavior ) than they actually are. Remember, most people are 1/2 brain dead from their jobs and self-centered the rest of the time. Most people would barely notice an elephant in traffic, let alone you or anyone else.
You are just as OK as 99% of them. The other 1% are busy doing something constructive elsewhere.
If you are not able to intuitively understand you are as good as everyone else, then you should consult a professional counselor.

Answer 5

ai a recovering social anxiety patient, i know exactly what you are going through. in the past i thought this condition would go away buy itself, but it never did after suffering intensely i sought treatment this condition ruined my life and robbed me of some of the best years of my lif. college was just about impossible . eventually i figured out the problem my self. I don't know what triggers it for everyone but for me i believe it was a chemical imbalance that i recieved from extensive drug use. I whent to a psychologist and demanded to be put on paxil initially i was on 10mg then eventually 20 this drug really worked for me. after about 6 years of use i have gotten my college degree and now a 4th year resident in medical school. I still have occasional days were im allittle anxious but those are far and few betwween. paxil stabilized my anxiety and i don't even wory anymore about tupid stuff like i used too. don;t wory you are not alonwe and your not crazy seek help before you waste any more of your life . trust me it is great having it back.

Answer 6

Overcome Social Anxiety And Shyness - http://tinyurl.com/ALj7zorgaw

Answer 7

There are some great medications out there that address all of your phobias/issues. You really should talk to a doctor about it. Your life could be so much better if you had some medication. You might want to talk to a therapist also in conjunction with the medication. From what I hear the medication is a lifesaver...

Answer 8

YOU CAN OVERCOME THIS!!!! It does not have to ruin your life and it doesn't even have to be a part of your life anymore!!!! I'm so proud that you have stepped out and asked for help. my suggestion to you would be search the phone book right now for a therapist in your area. i think that you should take a few minutes and tell them what is going on. explain to them the way you feel. just spill it all out.....don't worry about how it sounds.....just know that you're one step closer to feeling better. hope you feel better soon...Your friend**

Answer 9

I know what you mean I don't go to my social group anymore I don't even go to the dances anymore I just want to stay home and listen to music and be with my family but I do go to church and to my voulenteer job and when I have to go to the doctors office that is all from julie

Answer 10

That seems really sreouse, you need to see a doctor a.s.a.p, I am only 14 and I dont't know much, but my father has sereouse depression, and he gets these pills (can't think of what they are called) and he is 100% better. Ask your doctor.