How do I overcome social anxiety?

Question

How do I overcome social anxiety? I have depression and panic disorder as well.I think they are the products of Social anxiety,which in social situation I get panic attacks all the time. What happens to me is when I am in crowd or around people I think everybody is looking at me,watching my every single behavior and think really negatively towards me. When I sit in class and I know the answer I wont even say it cause it will attract to much attention to me. Or if I want to go over and talk to some one I know I will get have panic attack and will embarass my self. Even today there was lots of people at gas station and I had to go give money to the cashier.When I was walking there and back I though everyones eyes were on me,am I walking right,are my hands moving right,what is expression on my face,do I look weird,I know if some one would've bumped me accidently on the shoulder right than I would've have major panic attack and get so scared I just wanted to hide.How can I overcome this?

Answer 1

i would make an appt with you local mental health clinic and get help. you possibly need meds that only a doctor can prescribe and you need counseling

Answer 2

Welcome to my world, Sweetie. Or, at least....what used to be my world. These are my suggestions for you:

1. Get some SSRI's.....meaning medication for social anxiety disorder. Paxil works great for me....it is like a miracle drug. Seriously. These also help the depression and panic.

2. As much as possible, don't give into your fears. The only way to overcome any fear, is by facing it. The more you do something.....or expose yourself to these situations....the easier they will become for you.

3. It really is a good idea to spend some time in therapy, too. Find a good one that you can feel comfortable with. It really is worth it....and does help more than you can know.

Good luck.....and hang in there....you are not alone.

Answer 3

If you are a natural person you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. It was the only thing that has helped me with my horrible health anxiety. Read here https://tr.im/Mtgex

Your thinking determines your quality of life. Your thinking is what causes you these feelings:

Anxious, fearful, stressed or depressed
Constantly worried, or angry about something that is happening in your life
Struggling to overcome obsessive and negative thoughts.

If you change your thinking, you will change your life. This is the basic idea behind CBT for anxiety. The Cognitive part is where you learn nee methods and ways to change your same old habits and thinking patterns. If you keep thinking and expecting the worst – You will continue to suffer.

Answer 4

I just figured i would chime in on the subjct as i have social anxiety disorder also. maybe the correct term is i had it, as it hasnt bothered me in any major way for years. How did i overcome it? well the answer may sound silly, but i started going to a karaoke bar in anoter cit where nobody knew me. after going there and watching for over a month i finally got up barely enough nerve to go up and sing a song (mack the knife by bobby darin) I did this bout once a week and after about three months the fear left me altogether. this confidence in social situations jut sort of branched out tfrom there.

Answer 5

It's a hard thing to deal with. I have Horrid panic attacks just driving....Me I am on medication but I am bi-polar2 and the panic and anxiety disorder comes with it......If you feel the need to talk to some one do it. That is the beginning of help....There are groups for people with anxiety/panic disorder it is hard at first but after you go and hear others talk about how they feel and have felt it really makes you feel better that your not the only one.You can get some ideas how they handle things. Call mental health in your area they can help also not only for that but the depression...I go to mental health they are friendly and understanding. deep breathing and .yoga can help For me I try to stay away from the situation if I can.... You didn't get this way over night it won't go away over night.........It'll get better

Answer 6

Im sorry to hear your troubles buddy. But I had a similar form of this when I was younger. I didnt even want to walk into a store and pay for food. Hell, looking back,I know no one really gave a rats behind what I was doing. But at the time It terrified me.

I cant say 100% exactly what my problem was but as I grew older I cared less about what people might think about me. I mean hell, look at them! LOL. But I do attribute my weight as part of my problem. I started working out and lost all the extra weight! I got some muscle and felt great! My confidence shot up! I started saying my piece when in a group having a discussion. If they didnt like it, tough. Now im still consious of my apperance but in a more normal way. So I nkow that didnt really help you but its all I have. lol. Im sure someone much more intelligent than I will chime in! Just wanted to share!

Answer 7

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 8

Hi,
You must first determine the cause for this anxiety. Each day you need to find an affirmation that encourages you. And, continue to repeat it throughout the day. It seems as though you are suffering from self-esteem related issues. We all go through that from time to time. We tend to let society regulate what is acceptable in regards to physical appearances. Just remember you were and are perfectly and wonderfully made. You are unique. Also, the same things that you are concerned about, you'll be amazed that the other individuals who you believe are watching you funny, they too are experiencing self doubts. So, hold your head up high and enjoy life.

Answer 9

For annxiety dissorders such as yours i'd recomend you find youself a therapist who can provide you with C.B.T (Cognitive behavioural therapy) You and your therapist can work out a list of activities and goals that allow you to work together to overcome your fear. This form of therapy has a high success rate, the key is being able to talk to your therapist and work with them to help yourself. A fiend of mine has an annxiety dissorder but she refuses to get help, youve taken that first step so you are much more likely to succeed. Good luck.......... by the way i really WOULDN'T recommend medication before you try the therapy, it might seem like an easy way out but trust me these drugs are NOT proven to work and are highly addictive, they just make your problem worse in the long run because after you solve your annxiety with therapy your left with a drug addiction.

Answer 10

you just cant tolerate people all arround you...what you gotta do is just face "you cannot control your fear untill you face it"..when ever your talking to someone and you feel like you gonna get a panic attack take a big deep breath or if your in store go outside and take a big deep breath shut your eyes and than think that your in a peacefull place where there is no one and you are seeing mountains and snow is falling all arround and when you will open up your eyes im sure you will be in control..go back to store take a deep big breath again and than talk to cashier or anyone your talking to...And always remember that social anxiety disorder can only be controlled by strong willingness..

Answer 11

Meds help some and my doc tells me to to just keep trying and not to isolate. She says the more you talk to people and the more positive feedback you get the better you'll feel. She says people aren't really paying that much attention to you and they are just busy with their own lives and schedules.I know it doesn't feel that way and its hell to live with social anxiety.You probably don't look the way you are feeling inside.I wish you luck. Its difficult.