Social anxiety?

Question

I have social anxiety. I'm not sure if I want to drop out of college because of that.

When I'm in class, I like to sit where nobody can see me. That's impossible because I'm sitting in the front row these days. I have really high anxiety, I'm just afraid of embrassing myself in public, so that's why I get so paranoid thinking of what to do and what not to do.

I don't want to talk to myself in public so I control myself not to do that. People think I'm normal but I think I'm not.

What should I do with this social anxiety?

Answer 1

Oh man, sometimes I get that too, but maybe on a different level. I know how you feel, like you just don't want to embarrass yourself in front of people and stuff? Sort of like how my biggest fear is tripping and falling. I think about it all the time when I'm in public. I'm walking and then I'm like, what if I just tripped and fell? I would feel so retarded. Until this one time when I did trip and fall in the middle of the street in front of so many cars. Then I started not being so afraid of it, and I saw a guy trip and fall hard today, and he just got up and walked away. I'm not that afraid anymore, but I still think about it from time to time.But wow, being that you're thinking about dropping out of college because of that, I think maybe you need to speak with a therapist. A suggestion would be, if you're really afraid of embarrassing yourself, maybe you SHOULD embarrass yourself. It might help you get over your fear. Like if you're afraid of roller coasters, riding one might help, it helped me. So try it, you might feel really bad, but embarrassing yourself to get over your fear just might help you. People get embarrassed everyday, I know I do, and though I think about it all the time, I have to get over it, that's the only way I can move on. Don't let that fear rule your life or ruin it, use that and see if it helps. It's gonna be hard, but try it and good luck.

Answer 2

Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

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!

Answer 3

I have it too and you need to go to a specialist for social anxiety. Many therapists don't know how to correctly treat it, but make sure you get some kind of "CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy). It really does help. I am still working on myself, but I have noticed a difference. Good luck and try to get through school. It is hard, but just try to live each day at a time, because you can't change the past or predict the future.

Answer 4

If left untreated, it won't go away. get a therapist and be strong