she is totally wild and fun when she's drunk, in fact we met at a club and became fast friends, i didnt even know she HAD social anxiety until we went to lunch on a random day and she was very quiet, she told me about her whole ordeal, she cant even carry on a normal conversation without booze, how can i help her? i was thinking of inviting her out for dinner (and drinks) with me and some of my other girlfriends. but i didnt know if a large group would be too much for her, does anyone have experience with this affliction, please help! i think she's a great girl and should have more friends!
2007-03-21 11:07:37 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
Social Anxiety is tough to deal with i myself have Social Anxiety. My advice is to take it very slow have her meet your girlfriend`s one by one before inviting her to a group girls night out. Also tell your girlfriend`s about her situation and tell them to be extra nice to her. She will come around but it take`s time TRUST me. Hope i helped.
2007-03-21 11:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by nighthawk159 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...
Usually substance abuse accompanies the disorder in order to decrease the anxiety, but the end result is two major problems.
There is hope; I've been there, and still am there, it is a long, hard struggle. I recommend
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me, with mild anti-anxiety meds. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.
Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.
Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.
The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.
I recommend a mild anti-anxiety med in addition to CBT therapy.
Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!
2007-03-21 17:44:11 · answer #2 · answered by Advice Please 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people with social anxiety find relief when they get a dog. Assuming that she is able and willing to take care of it, I would suggest it to her, and find a good healthy mixed breed dog at a shelter. Just getting out every day on walks, and the inevitable socializing with other dog owners, she will find people to talk to outside of the realm of bars and booze. Perhaps the social anxiety is in some way related to the fact that not the highest quality of people spend their time at bars - she has a natural adversion to those people for a good reason. Better quality people can be met in places like social clubs (say, hiking, scrapbooking, writing, school, church, sports) people who will like her for her skills or personality, rather than her body or her "bar personality." Bars are fun once in a while, but that can't be the main place a person hangs out and expect to find good friends.
2007-03-21 11:14:39 · answer #3 · answered by Angie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Social Anxiety is a very complex disorder to live with. It affects so many parts of a persons life, and the sad thing is as much as you may care about her and want to help her "out" of her situation it's not that easy. The best solution is counseling, preferably with a counselor who is trained in dealing with this disorder. Until this happens, unfortunately, things may get worse. Most of the times the counselor has to find the underlying issue which may date back to childhood and then together they must determine a treatment plan that will help, anti-depressants may work but with the alcohol use they are not recommended. Do a google search, it is more common than you think.
Best of luck to you.
2007-03-21 11:13:40 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Baby♥Girl♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Social Anxiety And Shyness Cure : http://tinyurl.com/2xg6h8spP9
2015-09-25 16:35:11 · answer #5 · answered by Lina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Xanax
2007-03-21 11:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Social anxiety is a hard thing to overcome, if she cant get better with your help, psychiatrists can help :).
2007-03-21 11:10:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋