I suffer from some social anxiety...?

Question

It's not really all that bad, but it still stops me from taking advantage of new opportunities.

SO...how much will visualization help, and how should I do it so that it will be effective?

Answer 1

One thing that really helps is to make a list for yourself of the ideas that pop into your head of "bad" things that could happen to you in social situations ... and then matter-of-factly ask yourself just how likely those things really are.

Visualizations can be good, especially if you pay attention to how your body is feeling. Learn what it feels like to relax (maybe google "progressive muscle relaxation"). And as you get tense imagining a difficult social situation, relax.

And you can do a graded progression of practicing from easy to more difficult situations. Think about stuff that's not hard at all (maybe standing beside someone at a bus stop), and do it and relax.

Then something slightly less easy (asking a stranger what time it is, or something). And really do it a few times and see if anything "tragic" happens like in your fearful thoughts. And keep on with the relaxing.

Take your time. Practice over days and weeks. Finding things more challenging (asking for directions, and including something more personal like "Are you from this area of town," or something) ... and again prove to yourself nothing terrible happens.

You say you only have "some," but if it is a real bother, what's called "cognitive behavioral therapy" works really well with anxiety conditions, if you seek out a therapist who is trained in that.
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Answer 2

I suffered from social anxiety for 30 yrs of my life. Nothing really helped except when I finally found a doctor who put me on an MAOI med. Now I'm fine. Visualization is picturing in your mind, the event that you are anxious about and trying to lower your stress over it by trying to convince yourself that it is nothing to be afraid of. That never worked for me. I was not sure what I was afraid of or why I got the flight response to simple everyday events. It seems it was a chemical imbalance in the brain and once that was regulated, I no longer felt anxious over those things. I could never explain to myself then or even now, why I would just suddenly feel sick and shakey. I hope you find a way to deal with your anxiety without meds, but as a last resort, I recommend them since my life was ruined for 30 yrs. by my social anxiety..If only they knew back then what they know now.....Good Luck :-)

Answer 3

Visualation will help a bit, but its also important to "push" yourself and do something every day that you feel is somewhat intimidating and makes you anxious... take small steps, dont expect to get rid of the anxiety right away, its a process

Answer 4

Read books, plays and try to learn lifes outcome from them.
Readers Digest might help you to. Watch Joe Dirt movie see how he handled situations.

I get anxiety to sometimes. Don't know why. Like I will have no control of whats about to happen. I keep my head up high and continue walking. I also look up and down and all around, so not be a victim.

Answer 5

What Treatments Are Available for Social Anxiety?

Research supported by NIMH and by industry has shown that there are two effective forms of treatment available for social anxiety: certain medications and a specific form of short-term psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as well as drugs known as high-potency benzodiazepenes. Some people with a form of social anxiety called performance anxiety have been helped by beta-blockers, which are more commonly used to control high blood pressure.

Cognitive-behavior therapy is also very useful in treating social anxiety. The central component of this treatment is exposure therapy, which involves helping patients gradually become more comfortable with situations that frighten them. The exposure process often involves three stages. The first involves introducing people to the feared situation. The second level is to increase the risk for disapproval in that situation so people build confidence that they can handle rejection or criticism. The third stage involves teaching people techniques to cope with disapproval. In this stage, people imagine their worst fear and are encouraged to develop constructive responses to their fear and perceived disapproval.



Cognitive-behavior therapy for social anxiety also includes anxiety management training - for example, teaching people techniques such as deep breathing to control their levels of anxiety. Another important aspect of treatment is called cognitive restructuring, which involves helping individuals identify their misjudgments and develop more realistic expectations of the likelihood of danger in social situations.



Supportive therapy such as group therapy, or couples or family therapy to educate significant others about the disorder, is also helpful. Sometimes people with social anxiety also benefit from social skills training.

Answer 6

I have social anxiety and panic attacks, I find if you either focus on one thing looking at one thing or glancing at different things, I also say The Lord's Prayer over and over in my mind. If you need to talk write me....Dianne