What does a person do that has severe anxiety and social phobia?

Question

I have many physical symptoms. They worsen when I go to places like the grocery store. My vision gets weird and I feel like I can't focus. I have a past history of alcohol problems. I have been sober for about 2 yrs. I don't know what to do anymore though because I haven't ever had a real job, I dropped out of college, and I have tried anti-depressants and they didn't work for me even at high doses. I have also gone to therapy and read an anxiety work book. I feel very hopeless. Can anyone recommend something I could try that might help it. I used to just try and hide my anxiety. It is to the point where if I am out with a friend they notice and ask if I am ok.

I am not a violent person. I am a wife and mother of two children. What happened at Va Tech was very sad. I am and never will be a person like that. That comment was very rude and uncalled for.

Answer 1

Sounds to me like you could have a case of depersonalization/derealization. It's a very common disorder that is caused by anxiety. You may have developed it when you quit drinking. I have suffered from it for close to six months because of an anxiety attack from a bad trip. It has slowly gotten better and better, and is pretty close to being gone for me. The best thing you can do is to keep yourself calm when faced with a bad situation. It will take a lot of time unfortunately, but will eventually go away as long as you don't let your anxiety control you. Here is a link to a forum that will help you understand and cope with the disorder so you can get rid of it.
http://www.depersonalization-home.com/forum/

Answer 2

Speak to a doctor or a psychiatrist.

Alcohol and other substances can have long terms effects on the body and mind even once you stop using.

People tend to do well when they seek out help from a professional. There are a wide variety of resources. If you have a history of alcohol use, I would consider contacting your local hospital for substance use programs. They can help you to connect with resources and supports in your local community.

There are also income support programs to help people who are struggling and looking for help. Speaking to your doctor is a good start on how to get the services that you need.

Answer 3

I think you should have therapy with some nice and committed person, but if you can't for some reason, then you should start doing yoga and focus especially on breathing lessons. To control the breathing is the way to control much anxiety, only it should be done in the right way.
Besides, some people feel better when they imagine those that frighten them in their underwear. It's not something I should recommend, but it's your decision.

Answer 4

Sweetheart, I can so empathize with what you're going through and you're not alone. SO many people suffer from this...normal, beautiful, healthy, smart, wonderful, kind people--myself included, though i'm getting beyond it:). It could be from SO MANY things: hormonal imbalance, lack of practice among a safe group of people, lack of self-esteem, lack of faith, lack of phsical exertion, solid anchors in your life; safe friends and so on. For me, I found it wasn't a lack of self-esteem like many claim but that we live in this culture that's increasingly non-personal-community oriented---and so self-centered/focused that we become more self-conscious than we would be otherwise and my hormones are way out of wack. The key is to embrace it and just take it head on at it's root and try fixing it from all these angles. Have you tried CBT group therapy? I've heard those work books don't do very much and you need to find a community type-therapy of CBT. See if there's anything on this website in your area: http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/. For me personally, finding that Jesus is present and alive in my life has benefited tremendously---I was always luke-warm in my faith but shifting over and letting in God's love and strength (though a process that happens over time) changes everything..you become more outward/serving focused and less self-focused. It is NOT hopeless, there are root issues that need to be evaluated here. Especially now that you have ruled out anti-depresants. I will pray for you:)

Answer 5

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 6

I have social anxiety, and I have had a big drinking problem but have been sober now for many years. One problem always fed off the other, but in the end, I was losing to both problems. Sobriety and my prescriptions gave me my peace of mind. Also writing about my experiences. I think you will find my writings about alcohol and anxiety very interesting. There is alot more to come, so please keep checking back to the site and let me know what you think. You will be just fine. http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/40697/steve_procto.html
Steve Procto

Answer 7

Eliminate Social Anxiety And Shyness : http://tinyurl.com/yTc1IwDy5W

Answer 8

I had the same problem..... symptoms very person to person. The main symptoms I had were

1. Restlessness or feeling keyed up or "on the edge"
2.Being easily fatigued
3.Difficulty concentrating
4.Irritability
5.Muscle tension -- shakiness, headaches
6.Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep; or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
7.Excessive sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, and various gastrointestinal symptoms .

when i feel one coming on I stop close my eyes think to myself " every thing is ganna be alright" keep saying that to calm yourself down and keep your breathing under control.

Answer 9

First, relax - my blog has a time celebrated technique: myspace.com/thedavezone

Second, you need some sort of professional therapy. Despite my formal training in traditional psychology, I've seen the best results with Dianetics. Go to dianetics.org and find a facility nearest you.

Answer 10

My sister suffered from depression and anxiety, she found that a lot of it got better when she focussed on eating more healthy and excerising more. Also, it might sound fruity, but meditation helped a lot for hre anxiety. She was still using medication, but less and less. And eventually she stopped using it altogether.
Good luck!