how can i be confident when i have social anxiety?

Question

I take medication but it only takes away so much..so how can I act confident when on the inside i am freaking out? I know to be myself but I can't really act myself when I have these problems.

Answer 1

Think how weird they would all look completely naked but unaware... old trick for giving speeches.

Answer 2

First of all, I don't have your problem, so I can't speak from experience. But I was moved enough by your problem to try to come up with a few ideas.
I do believe some of the steps I will list will make anyone more confident.
1. Pray in a quiet but public space. If you go into a Catholic church and you are not used to it, you will freak out there at first. But keep going. In time you will be confortable. In time you may belong there even more than the Catholics. And in time you may even become a Catholic. And don't use the media image of church deter you, which is biased. And I'm only suggesting a Catholic church because of my own experinces. I'm not discounting a synagogue or other place of worship. But there are tone of Catholic churches around, and many have spaces that are open all through the day.
2. Develop a skill or hobby. For instance, take up tennis. When you develop a skill, you will gain confidence. And in a sport like tennis, you will meet many fine people.
3. Any exercise will make you feel better about yourself. I myself learned the power of exercise when I took a fencing class when I was suffering from a romantic breakup. The experience of exercise took my mind off my loneliness and my inner chaos.
4. Volunteer your service. When you are actively involved with helping others, you won't have time to dwell on yourself. And the compliments and thanks you receive will really give you a sense of self-worth.
5. I have no idea how old you are. You sound young. You may naturally grow out of your problems. Age changes a person internally--hopefully for the better. No matter how bad things seem now, in time you will simply feel better.
6. Hope you get over this. Good luck.

Answer 3

There are classes you can take that breaks that anxiety. Or rather where I live there is. Talk to the doctor about it, but in reality medication will help for now, but won't last forever. I have always had social anxiety as a youngster, but then I finally gathered up the strength to straighten up my shoulders, hold my head up high and know that I am worth it. And get my type of attitude, which is "If you don't like me, look the other way".

Answer 4

this is an easy fix....write down your problems...then write down a couple ways to fix them...start small...small goals are easy to reach and they build confidence.... start with small conversations with people on the topics your really knowledgeable about...that way you will have confidence cause its something you know about...give it time and after a while you wont need the medicine, you will build confidence and you will be talking with people you know and dont know...things like this take time...so pray and keep the faith...let me know how it turns out...