Do you have Social Anxiety Disorder? If so, how do you deal?

Question

I know what it is, so no diagnoses here. Looking for personal experiences.

Answer 1

Please do not give up. I have seen a number of documentaries on agoraphobia and Social Anxiety Disorder. With the help of a therapist, you can be cured. I also studied a range of disorders including these ones when at uni.

Many phobia disorders are learned behaviours. They are usually triggered by something unpleasant that has happened in the past. You can help find the triggering point under hypnosis.

With the help of a therapist, you can learn to change the perception in your mind - reprogram it - so that you no longer fear the original event. One method is called Neuro Linguistic Programming.

Another method is to help you face your fears in tiny steps, one step at a time. Sometimes, it's once step forward and two back. You must keep trying.

I used to have Anxiety and Panic Attacks. I read a number of books on the subject and attended a seminar. Part of my anxiety was caused by fear of authority figures; part was because of lack of security where I was living and the third because I was so ill, I feared I had no future.

Because I used to hyperventilate, I first learned to relax more. I taught myself meditation and later had help from therapists. A couple of doctors helped with what to do when you are actually hyperventilating. One was to breathe into a paper bag cupped over your nose and mouth while you try to slow your breath. Doing this, you breathe in your own carbon dioxide thereby slow down your intake of oxygen. Another doctor said, if no paper bag is available, cup your hands over your nose and mouth. A good point about the second method is that the air is warm. This helps especially in winter.

If you are attempting new things and the anxiety, difficulty in breathing and panic come crashing down, think of the absolutely most fantastic thing you would like to do if you were fine. Slow your breathing down the best you can. Go somewhere quiet. You can even go to a toilet. Practise meditation or relaxing exercises.

In the early stages, always go out with someone who is sympathetic to you and your condition. This person can talk to you as a form of distraction, can take you somewhere quiet or take you home if necessary.

Have always in your mind the dreams of what you hope to achieve. Have pretty posters up illustrating the dream and with words of affirmation that you will or have achieved the dream.

Reward yourself for every step where you move forward towards your dream.

Don't run yourself down because you did not do today what you originally set out to do. Sometimes just getting up and getting dressed with the intent of going out is an achievement in itself.

Don't punish yourself for things that you did not do. There are enough people around who will be rude or punish you for things that you do what they perceive are wrong. People who are rude towards other people on a regular basis I think have a social disorder of a different kind. These people could also have a poor self image and believe they will improve theirs is by making someone else look smaller than they are. They are not worth your consideration. You need all your energies focussed on the positive sides of your dream.

Many people have overcome Social Anxiety Disorder.

I overcame most of my anxiety and all of my panic disorder. I still would not say I was wonderful with authority figures but I am nowhere as afraid as I used to be.

Another thing that I feared was Public Speaking. This is another course I took. I also attended the female section of Toast Masters. There is another group before Toast Masters with the initials ITC. I think it stands for International Teaching in Communication. They start a lot earlier in communication and human interaction than Toast Masters. Where I live ITC is often held in community centres and the cost is usually to cover tea and biscuits.

These things may seem a long way off, but you need a plan for the future. They could go on your list. The top item could be "Stand for President/Prime Minister." Your dreams do not have to have limits.

As I used to tell my students, only a few people can become astronauts but it takes a lot of people to put them up there. People have dreams. Your dream may not seem huge, but there is a good chance if you have good intentions that you can help or have a beneficial effect on someone else and their dreams.

If you aim for the stars and stub your toe on the moon (your "stars",) then you have still done a great job.

Be like that ant “and move the rubber tree plant!”

I wish you all the very best for the future. Maybe some time we can “do lunch” together.

Best wishes, April

Answer 2

Yes I do. I try to avoid social places as much as I could for last few years. I finally did it last year, it was not easy, I m still dealing with it. I just keep quiet and hope I won't pass out. But people around me tend to know when it happens tho. I just learn to deal with it because there is not much you can do about it anyways. It really sucks.

Answer 3

I have it, I end up being closed off and afraid to do anything or make any moves which makes life much more miserable. It kind of sucks, but I guess I just "deal" with it by sitting it out. Not much **** you can do for yourself when you have this.

Answer 4

Just learn to keep your head empty and relaxed and find someone you can completely trust ....

Answer 5

Take each day as it comes hon and ride it out, thats all you can do....

Answer 6

MY WIFE DOES WE JUST GO HOME WHEN SHE HAS AN ATTACK

Answer 7

what are the symptoms ?