Anyone have social anxiety? How do you cope with this terrible condition?

Question

My neck locks up, I get really hot, I get shaky, I feel like im loosing my balance, i tear up, my eye contact towards other people becomes near impossible...it makes me feel like im going crazy! my throat begins to hurt, i keep gulping, i lockup, my back posture becomes really bad! i could go on and on. how do i cope with this?

When i said tear up, i almost cry. i have to wipe my eyes! these fears are taking over my life, and saneness

Well I'm alone in school most of the time, but when someone talks to me, i notice that it slows down tramedously....

Answer 1

Panic attacks and social anxiety, in my opinion, are caused by not trusting the process of life - a feeling that the rug can be pulled out from under us at any time without warning, then when something starts to go wrong the "this is it, it is all going to blow up in my face" feeling hits that fear button and it's out of control. I have had a couple attacks in my life.

If you have been to a doctor and have determined that there is not something more seriously wrong, I would suggest the following things that have helped me with anxiety:

My first suggestion is olive oil on your adrenal glands - I rub it on my back, just below my ribs after every shower to help keep my adrenal glands fed and calm (they love the essential fatty acids).

Secondly, there are some great calming herbal remedies - like Kava Kava, SAMe and even just extra Vitamin B and Magnesium in your diet can be very calming.

Thirdly, visualization and affirmations helped me very much. Any time I start to get nervous or worried, I would remind myself that I am perfectly safe - and you are. You know rationally that people go out and about their business with no harm much more often than not - now you need to remind your subconscious and your emotions that you are safe. Any time you hear yourself think something negative, take a deep breath and say in your mind (or aloud if you can) "I am safe" to gently correct that pattern.

Visualizing can be very powerful and work very quickly. Sit quietly for 3-5 minutes and get a good clear picture in your mind of your own self. See yourself happy, confident and peaceful. In you mind you can visualize anything and still be perfectly safe - so do so. Clearly see yourself going to the grocery store and chatting with people, laughing and smiling. Try to feel that ease and happiness. The more often and more clearly you can do this the better off you are. What you are doing is sending a clear picture to the powers that be of just what you want.

Finally, exercise is always great - the endorphins they stimulate can be very helpful. Anything that is repetitive will help you meditate and soothe the brain (particularly if you do your affirmations and visualization while exercising) - but I find that yoga is the very best thing for me to quiet my mind. Yoga Journal on line has all kinds of tips and tricks for beginners through experts along with full descriptions of how to do pose, as pose finder to target body system or muscle groups, and excellent articles - all free.

So soothing herbs and essential fatty acids, visualization and affirmations and exercise. All of these things will help you rid your life of anxiety attacks. All free and some will show amazing results very quickly - I think you will be impressed in just 2 weeks at the difference with dilligent practice.

I wish you the most wonderful year of your life. May the new year surround you in peace and joy and prosperity such that you can breath and relax into the joy that life should be. Many blessings upon you.

Peace!

Answer 2

You have a number of options.
1. The most popular (but damaging) option is to get drugs like Prozac. I suggest you read http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/ first before taking this option. Many times drugs don’t work and people get trapped in the cycle of trying different mind-bending drugs for years, without relief.
2. If you have an issue or problem with a certain event or situation or person, see a therapist and work through it, learning new coping skills. If seeing a therapist isn't an option, self-help books can help you to learn ways to cope with problems. Plus, there are many books on panic/anxiety and also a free online course that you take over a period of weeks at http://www.paniccenter.net
3. If you have irrational phobias in an otherwise balanced life, and can’t understand why you get anxiety/panic in a certain situation, try self-hypnosis-type programs like http://www.panic-anxiety.com
4. Calming herbs like valerian, kava-kava, chamomile or special formulas might help to take the edge off, but don't seem to eliminate the problem completely. Be wary of expensive on-line herbal formulas that promise to eliminate anxiety/panic: you can easily get the same herbs at most drug stores for a fraction of the cost.
5. Exercises like tai chi or yoga (many libraries have DVDs you can rent) are helpful to calm the breathing and mind. You can do these, and other things like walking no matter what treatment you decide on.
6. If you feel you have a more or less balanced life without any major issues, yet you're having both mental and physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, anxiety, feeling weak, mood swings, confusion, etc. you could have a hormone imbalance, which would take blood or saliva tests to determine. If you have a hormone imbalance (NOT a chemical imbalance) no breathing exercises or hypnosis or self-talk is going to help- the physical imbalance is in the adrenals, thyroid, and cortisol levels. This is easily corrected with bio-identical hormones. Many doctors/insurance don’t deal with this, so you’ll need a specialist. http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/anxiety.asp

Answer 3

K first of all dont take "a couple shots". geese...
Here is what ive done. you can try it and see if it helps you.
1) I went and talked to a counsellor - turns out there are many reasons why i start to sweat, shake, stutter, panic, etc... when talking with people... But of course you will have your own reasons. But TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL.
and 2) I ATE HEALTHY! I could not sleep at night, woke up from the cold sweats, etc. horrible. I was dragging my butt out of bed to get to work and trying to stay away at work... So, i went and seen a Dietitian. She helped me figured out a eating plan, and gave me a chart to help me stick to the Canada Food Guide. I also was sick ALL the time bc my body was breaking down - i got the flu shot. I dont encourage other people to do it without talking to a Dr. or a professional. But I haven't gotten sick ONCE! this winter. And now my boyfriend will come to bed, shake my arm to talk to me and Im dead ASLEEP! WOW! I love it now. Sometimes I wake up before my alarm and am well rested and will have a head start on the day.
3) Take your vitamins! Seriously. These are all pretty easy things that you would think wouldn't help... Iron is for energy - which is what I needed. You may be missing something else. Ask a Dietitian. Ask your Dr. Ask a Health Care Worker.

Answer 4

I've had it for 10+ years. It will get better when you get out of school. In that kind of environment your anxiety flourishes. Take baby steps. Go to a store for example or a party, and you have to want to face it more than you want to be afraid, if that makes sense. I did acupuncture which helped a little. I used to cry after going to Starbucks,etc. I've come to terms with the fact that I will turn red for no reason. I know it probably won't ever completely go away, but I am able to go out without wanting to kill myself. It won't always help but sometimes you can start to think about something else when the anxiety comes and it will lessen.

Answer 5

Mindfulness Meditation can not only alleviate social anxieties, depression, and anger, it eventually erradicates them. This method of meditation is easy to learn and is very similiar to the Mindfulness of Breathing.
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. has an excellent book out called "Coming to Our Senses" which is
inexpensive, and it teaches mindfulness meditation, to erradicate social anxiety, depression, anger, as well as many other unwholesome mental & emotional factors.
Any book by Thich Nhat Nhan, and also Thubten Chodron on MIndfulness Meditation and anger are most excellent. As a side effect to all anxieties, and depressions there is always residual anger and impatience. And I am speaking from prior experience as well.
Mindfulness Meditation also improves a person's Cognitive thinking skills, improves one's memory, and concentration; produces what is called Metta, a calm stable friendliness toward others, and gives a calm peaceful happiness. It works. But it requires courage, perseverance, and a wholesome attitude from us to succeed at this. Be Patient. I must be honest with you, it does take a little time, to see results. It took me almost 7 months before I, as well as others closest to me, saw profound results. But it does work. All it takes is a mere 15 min. a day of Mindfulness Meditation. That is nothing, considering there are 24 hrs. in a Day. Medications help for some. They did not for me. And in my line of work, I could not live with all the negative side effects that come with the medications. I am medication free. But I do take a Multi-Vitamin, 4 Antioxidants, to keep my immune system strong. If you do have to take some medication, that is alright. Maybe you can do both - the meds. and Mindfulness Meditation. Possibly ask the doctor to lower your miligram strength on the meds. so you do not experience really negative side effects. Nobody wants to experience those side effects, such as an alter state of mind - zombie state, or sleepiness, or headaches, and pounding in one's ears. Years...ago, I had been there, and done that. This works well for me, and has for over 11 years now. But do what helps you most. Best of Luck to you.

Be kind to yourself. Be Patient with yourself.
Always think the best of yourself, never negative. And please always forgive yourself when you make a mistake. Simply learn, get back up keeping yourself motivated, and continue on with your success.

From someone who understands, and who cares.

Answer 6

I am not as extreme as you are but I do have a bit of social anxiety.. I find that going some place when i am in a upbeat mood is the best time to practice going out in social situations. I talk myself into going although terribly nervous, take deep breaths, comfort myself with thoughts of nobody noticing me anyway. I convince my self before we get there that I can handle this. I go with someone who knows I panic in social situations and this helps. I just did this a few nights ago (first in a long time) When we arrive, I go streight in.. can't hesitate or I will change my mind... I doubt this helps but I guess thoughts and talking yourself out of the anxiety makes it a bit easier. By the way.. I had a great time that night.

Answer 7

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 8

I can relate..I have social anxiety,panic attacks,too.
Sometimes I feel like I am dying!!
I also suffer from depression..
My doc put me on Xanax,Ametrypteline,and Zoloft...
I know that is a lot of meds..but I have had this all of my life...
These meds work for me!!I am so much better..I still have them sometimes,but not nearly as severe! See your doc to find out what can be done for you....
Hope this helps some..Best wishes to you! I hope you have good family support..I do and that helps too......

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I have a relative with social anxiety disorder and they great results when their Dr. put them on Paxil.

See your doctor and find out what they recommend you do.

Counseling also helped them.