Does anyone have social anxiety?

Question

Im working on my social anxiety at the moment by going out and becoming more sociabale but I find that im struggling. Anyone got any tips to feel more confident in social situations?

Answer 1

I suffered from this many years ago for a few years. I couldnt even pick up a glass when outside for fear of dropping it with my nerves, it got that bad I thought that I was smothering. I eventually attended a Doctor - hoping he would prescribe me some sort of trunquiliser. He didnt, he reccommended yoga and breathing excercises. I thought he was off his head to put it politely. But he was 100% right. When I found myself starting to panic and feeling uncofortable, I would head to the toilet and breath in and hold for as long as I could and then release. I would do this for 10 times, then head back out into the public area, if I felt it coming back on me again, I would repeat this action. Very quickly I was in control after years of torment. I realise its just a phsycological thought - you get nervous dont breath and get stressed. You must reverse this action. I have never looked back and never need to use it anymore except for an odd time, say waiting for an interview, if I got anxious I would blank everything from my mind and concentrate on my breathing and it just leaves. Try it - it will change your life

Answer 2

Everyone has social anxiety, what differs from person to person, is how one deals with that anxiety. The most famous people in the world get stage fright. There are many methods and techniques to controlling the anxiety, you just have to keep trying until you find what works for you. It is natural to struggle when you're doing something you don't normally do, in this case, you're working on becoming less introverted and less stressed about being around other people. No one expects you to be changed in moments, these things take time, and depend on your level of comfort. Take your time, don't try to force yourself, it will only make you more anxious. Relax, take your time, and good luck to you!

Answer 3

Yes, some. I've never found a strategy...instead I just force myself to go out once in a while. The best thing that does work, however, is if I have some good friends around. Being with friends I've had for years make it a lot easier to meet new people.

If this helps (not much for me), you can remember that most people are very self-conscious about themselves....even if they are better at social situations. Just listen to them talk and they'll think you're great because you're an audience.

Answer 4

If you are experincing extreme anxiety and these thoughts are significantly interfering with your life, then, yes, definitely.

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!


Another great website: http://www.markway.com/acceptance/menu.h...

Answer 5

yeh i hav the same problem.
but its all down to low self esteem. trust me, find ways to look at yourself differently in a way that you are NOT below other people, then you'll be much more confident around others.
its usually the constant thought of "they're all more confident than me, therefore they'll be better liked, so there's no point me even trying, why would anyone want to know me anyway i'm socially awkward"
once u get over that then you'll naturally WANT to meet new people. think about it. meeting new people is meant to be an exciting thing. u open windows into new worlds and there might be all those people who are just like you but you'll never know.

Answer 6

yes everyone does at some time or another. anxiety is a physical reaction that has an affect on our emotional and cognitive (thinking process. when anxious we produce adrenalin which enters the blood stream very quickly heart beats faster, we breath faster muscles tighten this is called a flight or fight reasons . when this happens blood is circulating through our cells to fast the oxygen levels in the brain fall then it is difficult to concentrate or think straight to hold a conversation making us want an escape route. Take your time breath slowly limit social activities to short periods fairly close to home plan your outing and stay as long as you feel comfortable and leave when your ready gradually building your confidence to enjoy social activities longer.

Answer 7

I have this. I frequently decline invitations to go out with work because I just don't feel confident around the people I work with. I wish I could go out with them more cos the invitations are drying up!

One of my problems is that I find it difficult to carry on a conversation without completely running out of things to say!

I've been trying to work on it too and one of the reasons I;m like this is because I tend to focus too much on how uncomfortable I am feeling and that everyone must be thinking I'm stupid, that it makes it difficult for me to just relax and enjoy myself.

Perhaps you are doing this too? One of the reasons of social anxiety I think is extreme self-consciousness.. I wish I could give you more tips but its a case of the blind leading the blind here! good luck x

Answer 8

You do right in Facing you're Anxiety Fears.. It's like Fight or Flight and you're Fighting. Facing the very thing that causes you such Fear. Thats the key to overcoming you're Social Anxiety.

Answer 9

I have the same feelings...but sometimes I wonder if it is just that I don't like people LOL!!! No seriously, sometimes I find it hard to blend with people but I just try to get myself more involved in things like my kids field trips and things of that sort to try to get out of it. The funny thing is is that I used to love to be around people and now I just kind of hate being around them. I keep trying to, and to some success have actually pulled myself out of some of my anxiety. Just try to do what makes you feel comfortable it will take awhile but if you try to involve yourself in things you could possibly pull yourself slowly out of it!! Good luck!!!

Answer 10

i think that you should find out what cause you to be like that. cause i use be like that. it was cause i had low self esteem and i would not be social cause i would think people would not like me.