how to overcome social anxiety?

Question

Whenever I'm at a place where there is a lot of people, I get social anxiety.

I keep thinking in my head, don't embrass yourself and don't talk to yourself so that people don't think I'm a weirdo. High school kids used to joke about if I was on drugs... which I'm not

I embrass myself so many times that I just don't want it to happen again

Tonight, I was at a friend's wedding. People were telling me how beautiful I looked. But I kept on worrying about how I would act.

How can I overcome social anxiety?

Answer 1

i used to be on lorazapam which made me like a zombie now i take zoloft and am much better. i used to have horrible social anxiety attacks. now hardly ever. ask your dr about zoloft.

Answer 2

I can't relate to social anxiety, but having self esteem issues, I can ask you to stop and think exactly what makes you nervous. Whenever you're out somewhere take a close look at who is around you at the time. If it's mostly friends or people you are used to being around and feel comfortable with, then why the need to be nervous or feel like you have to try so hard? Also, people will probably be off doing their own thing and not paying much attention to you anyway. Gladly accept compliments when you get them- that's what I have trouble doing sometimes. It's normal for everyone to get nervous (even the people who appear to be the most relaxed), especially when you're at formal events or crowded places where you feel like you're on display. Just act how you feel is appropriate and don't worry if you make mistakes. If you need to give yourself a pep talk then do it in your mind so that you don't end up talking to yourself- which wouldn't be a good idea. Keep believing that you're out to have a good time, not to be worrying constantly and if you make any mistakes it's ok.

Answer 3

I have had this for a long time and it is something that you can oversome!

I would not recommend taking Xaxax like someone else advised. It is ok to take on occasion, but is highly addictive. The reason being is that it does take away all your anxiety but only for four hours. It loses it's effect quickly and you have to continue taking more and more and more. As with any benzo, it can make you tired and lazy and it is not good to take it very often

Paxil is a great drug for Social Anxiety. Also, many anti-depressants also work really well. There are also counselors who have programs that you work through over a period of time that helps you to be anxiety free.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 4

You need to let go of the possibility of embarassing yourself. It has happened before I'm sure and I would bet on it happeneing again. It's just one of those things you can only put off for so long.
Realize that if you get embarassed or do something embarassing, you will live through it. Maybe you'd be surprised to know most people almost instantly forget or don't care about someone else embarassing themselves.
Don't think so much about how people are perceiving you. You need to just relax and know that something silly will or will not happen to you. But the more you focus on something happening the bigger the possibility that something will happen, and you'll embarass yourself anyway.
This is just an exercise in futility, maybe if people don't engrain that whole first impressions thing in our heads when we're young then we wouldn't grow up with so many self inflicted social stigmas.

Answer 5

According to Pfizer, Xanax will take care of that.

However, if you don't want to be a drug addict you simply must deal. Everyone has social anxiety to some degree or another. The singer Van Morrison would sometimes do an entire show with his back to the audience. You ain't got it so bad...

Answer 6

Social anxiety may be a cause from over stresssing about situations, or low confidence level. You have to learn that it doesn't matter what people think of you, and you need to be able to take an embarrassing situation, and smile or laugh about it, and then it won't be embarrassing.

Answer 7

Develop more of an ego-centric view on social situations.
It doesn't matter what they think, they care what I think.
Don't do it too much though, or you'll just be egotistical. Use it as a tool to help you in difficult situations.
And also realize, nobody cares what you are doing. They arean't looking at you. Relax.

Answer 8

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 9

Confidence - if you don't have it no one will for you.

Who the hell cares what people think! You are you the way you act, dress, and talk is neither right nor wrong because you are you!

Believe in yourself - no medicine or doctors will ever cure you because YOU have to do this yourself.

Believe in yourself and don't worry about what other's say or do - Do you honestly think they are that worried or obessed what you think? No way - why - because they have confidence.

A little goes along way.

You should be proud of yourself - this post - is your first step!

God Bless you dear!

Answer 10

Wow, I'm in the same situation you are in, but I'm going to get some help this week actually. For a long time I was nervous about doing that too-go figure. But I'm sure if you go talk to your doctor he/she will get you the help you need. Good Blessing.