Should I just go for it?

Question

I've seen three therapists now, the last was a Psychologist. I'm seeing her currently but I'm thinking that no one can help me but me. I have social anxiety and I've talked about it and gotten what I felt out. But only I can make myself get out and do things, right? And until I do I'll be miserable, right? So should I just stop going to see her and start getting around more people and focused on things that I love? I'm taking guitar lessons monday.

Answer 1

I have had this problem for many years myself, and I will give you an insight into what I felt back then. Here is what I have written, hope it helps. I have written more at, http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/40...
The wind blows circles in my mind, scattering thoughts of sanity into random confusion.
Around me I can see the calmness of structure, an anchor of serenity that never allows me the chance to steady my judgment . Two separate worlds existing in the same time and same place, one of smiles, and one of tension. My world, a continuous mental storm of relentless anxiety, the other, an island of peace.

Social confrontations are always fueled by extreme emotion, continually heightened by the unreasonable panic generated in my head. Just the slightest sign of acknowledgment, from those around me, can trigger every nerve in my body to twitch without consent and corner me into a state of unwarranted embarrassment. Oh to be able to retreat forever into the security of some passive oasis, far away from myself and all those around me.

Forced isolation, however, is never even close to the solution. It is only a means to an end, an attempt at protecting myself from the whole world ripping into my fragile mind. I envisage a rush of cold cleansing water flowing through my mind and removing all that threatens my stability. A magical stream of serenity that could wash away this unyielding mental torment. But until that time, I remain alone, consumed by apprehension, and plagued by inner anxiety. A compromise in life that allows me to function, but violates my freedom.

This type of self medication separates me from any close human contact I want so much to embrace. To have someone to hold, and who in turn holds me, just doesn’t seem possible. Day after day arrives for me with empty dreams, offering only a reflection of all those lonely yesterdays to give promise to tomorrow. What started out as just a nervous personality as a child, has now become an overwhelming pressure of self-consciousness

This almost debilitating anxiety seemed to feed off it’s own panic. I wanted desperately to find peace of mind, before the very fabric of my sanity snapped under the enormous weight put upon it. In an attempt to alleviate my suffering, I tried alcohol, and swallowed down glass after glass to counteract the hyperactivity going on in my brain. To my astonishment, the magic of alcohol actually relieved the tension, and for the first time in years, I began to feel normal.

It was, however, to be a short-lived recovery, as I was about to find out upon waking the following morning. Not only was the anxiety back, but because of the shock I gave it using alcohol, it returned with a vengeance. Drinking the day before had somehow antagonized my problem, leaving me worse off and violently ill. Facing anybody on that day would have been impossible. It was hard to believe that I could have done this to myself, but I felt it was worth it for just a few hours of mental calmness.

A downward spiral had now begun, as the temporary relief offered to me by alcohol was far too tempting to resist. Time after time I suffered through those, ‘morning after’ periods, where unbearable storms raged havoc inside my head, yet still I continued to drink. More and more of this double edge sword needed to be consumed in order to escape both my original problem, and now this new constriction encircling my mental ability to reason. It didn’t take long before this bad choice of medication turned into an illness of it’s own, but by that time, I just didn’t care anymore.

It would take many years of suffering, for both myself and those around me, before I was able to manage my life into a more comfortable existence. Alcohol, I was later to discover, never did give me the relief I once thought it had. Instead, it used my underlining weaknesses to gain a foothold in my mind, furthering it’s own interests while sabotaging any chance for my recovery. Accepting myself for who I was, and reaching out to others for help, was to be the key I needed in obtaining mental calmness. The world exists for us to join in it‘s humanity, a welcoming fellowship always ready to unburden us of our load. And with a heavenly Father offering to guide our way through the darkness, how can we go wrong
Steve Procto

Answer 2

Taking guitar lessons is a great idea and will be a great stress reliever for you. I don't think you should stop seeing your psychologist just yet, but do try to get out and about more. One step at a time. Go out for a bit each day and see how you feel. I think you are headed in the right direction and have a great attitude also. I wish you the best and hope the guitar lessons are fun.

Answer 3

I wouldn't suggest discontinuing therapy. Instead, I would let the therapist you're seeing know that you feel it isn't working. There is a timeline that should be considered, but I would ask for a referral to someone that may better address the issues that you feel are lacking in your current therapy.
You're in therapy for a reason.
Never get out without first consulting the therapist you're seeing to get their opinion as to whether you should be referred or whether you are truly ready for moving on or out of, therapy.

Answer 4

Maybe you should keep her around, but just don't see her as often.
Everyone needs an unbiased ear to lean on.
But go ahead and see how well you do on your own.
Good Luck with your guitar lessons.

Answer 5

Try a psychiatrist--someone who can prescribe medication--some social anxiety problems are well addressed by medication.

It seems to me, if you are socially anxious, there's a limit to how much you can get out and do, so if it continues that you can't, as you say, "make myself go out," you might find a medication that helps you do so.

Answer 6

i'm pretty sure these are the types of things you should be asking said therapist. you seem fairly confused and very uncertain.