how do I cure my own social phobia???

Question

Im 17 and I have social phobia for as long as I can remember. Social phobia or Social anxiety disorder meaning " an anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations."

I can't ask for help from counselor,psychiatrist or my parents. So I need to do it by myself. Please help, what can I do to stop fearing??? I feel like if I dont get fixed now I never will.

I can't ask for help from anyone (face to face) because no one will take me seriously & they will treat it as no Big DeaL! But I know my fear is real...

I can't go to psychiatrist because they are rare here in where I live. I have no one to trust but myself. Maybe this is because of my social phobia...sigh...

But I like your answers, and I'll try them. thanks a lot.

Answer 1

I can sympathize with you totally.

I am 26 and go through the same thing, I freeze up in front of others.

What I can suggest is you join a club, some sort of sport or otherwise and take it from there. You will make some friends. While your mind is on the sport then you wont be worrying what others think of you.

Take it one step at a time. Try to hold your head high so that you give off the right body language - don't be scared.

You'll get through it.

Good Luck

Answer 2

We all had anxiety when we were 17. That doesn't mean that yours is not real. Now that you have realized that there may be a problem what are you going to do about it? Try to remember that everyone else is very self consciousness too. Almost nobody has it 'so together' under 20. Try to make one conquest each day. Such as just saying hello to someone and not mumbling it while walking quickly by. Look at yourself in the mirror and smile. If you want other people to like you, you have to like yourself. Walk with your head up and shoulders back. If you look like a winner you will act like one. Try hard to get one of your parents attention and explain how you feel. Try really hard it is important that they know your are having this problem.

Answer 3

If you can't ask for help because your phobia won't let you, sit down and write them a letter. Another thing you can try is hypnosis, if you believe in that. I'm a firm believer in it. Just do an internet search for "Social Phobia Hypnosis" and that just might be the answer for you. Is there a deep seeded reason behind it that you know of? If there is something traumatic, you may need to ask for help though a psychiatrist. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had a pretty bad case of social anxiety and/or agoraphobia before college as well. I think the way to overcome it is to just do things one at a time. I think that concentrating on what you are doing presently and deciding what you will do next are important (i.e. if you are in a class, devote all your energies to staying in your seat and paying attention at the same time. When the class session is done, you have to find a way to maneuver yourself around the crowds, certain individuals, etc). The point is to not just panic or do or say something without thinking about it. If people say bad things about you, try not to take it too seriously, and keep in mind that everyone has problems. Taking Vitamin B may help you with anxiety. Prayer and/or contemplation exercises might help. The most important thing, however, is to probably socialize. You do not have to, and probably should not, try to make a spectacle of yourself by trying to impress a crowd of people. You probably should instead devote your energies to making friendships with individuals who you sense are not going to be judgmental, who you feel comfortable around, who you share interests with, etc.) I had pretty bad phobias, and I survived taking 5 classes my first semester. You probably should talk to your parents or certain people you know well for advice.

Answer 5

My first question is why can't you ask for help from a counselor, or your parents (not necessary to go to a psychiatrist unless you need meds)?

You need to take some quiet time and think back in your life when this all began. When you figure that out, then you can begin to deal with it and heal.

I suggest if you are 17 you can see your school counselor who may be able to provide you with information that can help. And your parents, they should be aware of what is bothering you and try to help.

Answer 6

Don't worry so much. Thinking about it actually makes it worse. I was like that when I was your age, and it was rough. I really had no life and didn't like talking to people. Knowing you have this problem and WANTING to overcome it are a big help. Take little baby steps. Do things you wouldn't normally do. There's a party, you don't want to go, but do it anyway, maybe just for an hour... little baby steps. Actively try to do things you don't want to do. Eventually you'll see that it's not so bad. People aren't that scary and no one is staring/being critical/whatever of you.
I know it's hard. But you can do it.

Answer 7

it sounds like agoraphobia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia

you may have thought of that already, but if you havent look it up, and you'l realise your not alone, even if its not specifically that, loads of people suffer from fears and panic attacks to varying degrees.
You have to not let this dominate your life and when you do venture out into the world, do it in small steps at a time, stand outside your door for 30 seconds. Then go a little bit further, and then a bit further. Dont rush it, and remember, its only a harmless world outside your front door, and all the fears are in your head and you need to remind yourself theyre not real.

good luck xx

Answer 8

at your age i was the same way so i think you are doing the right thing in trying to get as much information as possible. i still have some of those feelings to this day what helped me the most was getting up in front of people and giving demonstrations of different types a good place to look into is toastmasters hope this helps you and good luck with your journey your not alone

Answer 9

There are multiple kinds of disorders that deal with anxiety. Although most can manifest in similar ways, these disorders generally occur due to different events in your life. Natural home remedies for anxiety https://tr.im/U3Pz7
Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and unnecessary worries about everyday, common events or activities, which can disrupt concentration and lead to other issues, such as depression.

Answer 10

The desire not to talk to a professional or parents about this is a blocker. It's part of the disease. If you really want to get better, the first step is breaking through this blocker and asking your parents to send you to a psychologist. Social phobia is a specific disorder with treatments which almost always help. The first step is getting access to them and that requires telling your parents and getting them to send you to the correct professional for this.