How do you deal with social anxiety ?

[Geda]

Hello gang !
How do you deal with social anxiety ? What seems to work for you ?
I have recently tried hypnoterpy - I went to the professional hypnotherapist a few times but in a way I made me even more vulnurable.I have also bought a self hypnosis tape but I don't think it's working.
What helps you ? I have just started to deal with my problem and any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Geda

[andy912]

Hiya Geda,


At the moment very little seems to be helping me However I do find attending the weekly meet to be very usefull, just being able to talk to others is a massive help for me

Be lucky

[mrbob]

Hi Geda,

I've been seeing a therapist for quite a while and I've started to make good progress, it has taken time but has been worth it. I still suffer from anxiety but nowadays can often catch the signs early on and that gives me a better chance to manage it. I haven't had a strong anxiety-depression cycle for about 9 months and without those long bouts of depression I am regaining my confidence.

I think whatever therapy you go for it is more important that the therapist is caring than the type of therapy.

The group is great because everybody understands.

Mr Bob

[Noisy]

Totally agree with Andy and Mr Bob.

I'd just like to add that for me, CBT was really helpful in bringing down general levels of anxiety. This helped me to be thinking that little bit more clearly before entering 'risky' situations.
Also, the group is a great boost for me. The people at the meets are great and there's not so much pressure. I'm not expected to always have lots to say or to 'fit in'. It just works ... and better than that ... it works very well. It's the perfect dose of normality that I need to keep me going.

Exercise is good too I think, although I haven't been doing as much as I should. It seems to 'reset' my mind slightly.

Martin

[Geda]

Thanks for your answers guys. I might pop in to see you all one day.Geda

[Mia]

Hi Geda,

Theres so many things you can do, for me it was doing a little bit of everything that has been moving me forward.

I found CBT really useful too, tho agree with Mrbob its more important that the therapist/counsellor you see is caring and understands SA. A good one will use a range of techniques that are right for you.

I also found attending a support group helped me alot. By meeting people who felt similar to me I was able to practise going into new social situations and activities with people that wouldn't judge me. By doing this I gained confidence to try new things. (The BAF meets might help you in the same way.)

I also found (and this was the biggest help for me) trying lots of creative activities, dancing, singing, drama & art. Things like dance movement therepy, voice work, presentation classes, I went to a class called 'singing for the terrified'! I also did a fantasy make up class. All of these helped me practise social techniques, challenged me and got me out of my head. Doing dancing was v positive (tho have no rythym) felt at ease in myself for the first time ever.

I also found learning meditation and breathing excercises essential. Yoga classes, buddist drop-ins, relaxation CD's-I picked up helpful tips from all these things. Just knowing how to

Excersise is really helpful-releases all those happy hormones! find something you enjoy tho, from dancing, to martial arts, yoga, running, swimming, gym. if you don't find it fun, you won't keep it up!

I also found celebrating everything I was doing was vital, anything to work on my self-esteem and focusing on the positives helped change my way of thinking and keep things in perspective.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

Mia 

[Noisy]

Wow! I think i could definitely use a few of those things in my life. Thanks Geda that was quite inspiring.

best wishes,
Martin. 

[justanotherdave]

Hi, are you all now dealing with things to the extent that you can now do things you felt you couldn't beforehand?

I've been doing counselling for some time now, and have also tried hypnotherapy and CBT in the past, and whilst general day-to-day anxiety is a lot more under control and easier to deal with, I still struggle massively dealing with what I see as big events and worry about them for weeks in advance which can have quite an impact on health.

For example, i've got a friends stag-do coming up in a couple of weeks and i'm not going to know anyone else (since another friend can no longer make it). I already turned down being his best-man which he was fine with and understood, but now i'm incredibly on-edge about this and am already losing my appetite despite it not being for a couple more weeks. Part of me just wants to avoid the stress but the other half of me feels guilty as I should be there. I don't think it would be so bad if it was just nerves on the day, however the problem is a "big event" like this completely throws me weeks in advance.

How do any of you deal with a big event coming up which you know is outside your comfort zone? Any tips? I'm seeing my counsellor again soon, and in the meantime i'm trying to just not think about it (with limited success).

[matchbox30]

I am having CBT sessions and I also find mindfulness really helpful when you're panicing and anxious. I have found that I have good days and bad days, but when I get home I realise actually I wasn't judged or beeing watched. Just that those are instant thoughts that we are so used to thinking, such as giving a bad impression to others.

[Manu]

Hi Geda,

Despite of being a long time since your post and the many replies you received I would add that aerobic exercise could make a difference. There is a good TV Arte production on Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, a psiquiatrist in the US, incidentally featuring that. Your question is a very challenge since I don't know what to do when I am passing through an acute episode of SA, like now.
By the way, they offer a special pass for the gym at the B&H CMHC drop-in, I think we could meet to do it since going alone to the gym is a bit boring and difficult when you are so low...
Cheers