Is there a way to get over social anxiety?

Question

My social anxiety stems from my teenage years when I had stage 5 acne(affecting roughly 1 in 10,000 during their adolencense) nodular cystic acne over 80% of my face. I'm clear now, but I have never got rid of the anxiety I feel around people.

I'm in a band, and while I've played many shows, I still get so nervous I almost puke when I go out in play. The only thing I have found that helps is having some alcohol before the show, but not enough to affect my coordination.

Any medications or anything availiable for this?

"but I have never got rid of the anxiety I feel around people."

No, I have never relearned how to function around people. I shake often when people are staring at me doing an action, and experience the same feelings in public, although I'm usually not under the affects of alcohol.

Answer 1

use visualization techniques,some times anxiety comes from your energy drive,it means that you have so much to give ,and since is not until you perform ,you will react differently from time to time,speak to yourself or your mind and tell it to stay calm,once you're performing focus on what you are doing ,and if possible try to look at somebody from the public that nods to you ,is like some body is telling you its OK you are doing right,over time you will gain control over it,besides sometimes is a good sign that you feel like that ,because it means that you like and enjoy what you're doing!!!

Answer 2

Yes, there are medications and they don't merely "mask" the problem. What they do is allow you to function better, and learn that you CAN handle these situations. Right now, you're continually reinforcing the lesson that these are dreadful, anxiety-laden situations. You may eventually be able to taper off the medication as you learn that you can be in these situations and nothing horrible really happens to you. The sooner you do something about this (I'd advise seeing a psychiatrist) the easier it will be. If you don't do anything, it may get worse. With some people, these things do. Some end up housebound. Social anxiety is treatable, though.

You really should see a psychiatrist because this could also be performance anxiety, which is quite common among performers and athletes. Good luck with this.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, I am one of those people who has been battling this problem every day for 30 years.
I can tell you that it does not go away.
I have not taken any medication for it because if you take something to relax you, what it actually does is numb your brain out to stop you worrying.
You have to keep fighting your fears everyday in order to keep going. Some days are worse than some others. The day it become too much, you will throw in the towel and take the easy way out, thinking it is not worth putting yourself through this agony every day.
The easy way out is to stay home and become almost a hermit.
That mean no job and no social life.

That said, you only talk about experiencing this on stage. I do experience it as soon as I step out of my front door to go almost anywhere. But it is ten times worse if I have to go somewhere where I have never been before.

Answer 4

there is one med called paxil, for social anxiety disorder, but there are some side effects from this, so you would need to go to your doctor and talk with him/her to see if this will work for you. as you get older, your anxiety should get better, as you accept yourself as a good/valuable person, you will care less about what other people think. high school years can be wicked for many of us. i would suggest trying some relaxation tecniques, like deep breathing, thinking positive thoughts, and after time, you may learn to be comfortable with yourself in public. i have heard of some t.v. personalities who also did puke every time they were about to go on stage. some anxiety is normal before a public performance, otherwise you would not perform your best. but it does sound like you could use to be a bit more relaxed. hope this helps a little, and good luck with the band!

Answer 5

There are medications people now are given, and a psychiatrist can tell you about which ones may help.

Ideally, though, using behavioral techniques and finding ways to overcome this in small ways on your own will probably serve you best.

So, in answer to your question, yes - there are ways to get over it. You should see someone because, as you know, needing even a little alcohol to function in what you want/like to do isn't the best thing long-term.

Answer 6

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 7

I just have been told that you have to face your anxiety to get over it. So in time I think if you do enough shows on stage it should eventually go away.

Answer 8

I have anxiety and Panic Attacks When ever I worry or Stress to much I throw up I am not joking I throw up for 30 mins. I take one pill its Called LEXAPRO its makes me less worry and less stress there is one big side effect with it at least for me that is that you feel like you have less energy!

Good Luck

Rock On


Your Band Will Make It!

Answer 9

Please don't turn to drugs or medications because these things will only mask your problem. You must continue to face the public until time and experience eases your agony. There are simply some things in life we cannot escape, so we must deal with them to the best of our ability.

Answer 10

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