Social Anxiety

[snugglyteddybear]

Has anyone successfully overcome social anxiety?

I am so fed up of this holding me back, I have been shy right from childhood but unlike most people I didn't outgrow it, in some ways it is probably worse now.

It is causing me huge problems with getting back into work at the moment so I really need to deal with it but the very nature of it makes it hard to seek help. I have been offered confidence and assertiveness training but it is in a group setting which I'm not sure I can cope with. I have tried anti depressants and they had me climbing the walls with anxiety.

Anyone else dealing with/dealt with this? Everyone else around me seems to find stuff like this so easy

I think I have this, not the type that has me scared of situations but where i worry constantly about what people think and I go over conversations afterwards etc. I am waiting to go back to the GP this week after haing other tests done as Im not great.

I stayed up late last night reading tinybudda website to help me let go of some of this stuff.

Other sites that have been recommended iare moodgym (sorry you'll have to google.

I think shyness and social anxiety are two seperate things but see how one can feed into the other. I think CBT is useful in helping overcome this. The anxiety comes from us listenign to negative thoughts instead of dismissing them, far easier said than done I know.

I looked into online and telephone counselling to help me with a particular issue I have because I a toddler and it would be impossible for me to attend appointments.

At very least I am trying to look after my general health better (have reached rock bottom) and go outside every day for a walk, coffee, food shopping. Im just doing this as a starting point.

I wouldnt think about work thats too big a step..just do small simple stuff, take the pressure off if you can.

Hand to hold x

I do the going over conversations afterwards too, worrying I've said something stupid or offended someone in some way or that they think I'm weird or stupid.

I have to get back to work soon, I left my full time job almost a year ago and we are so skint.

I've been reading a book which is cbt based, I need to start putting it into practice.

I went through a very stressful time a few years back (unrelated) I did experience the well of panic but never actually had a full blown attack.

I used to repeat - that was then, this is now, is it actually happening? - NO!

This became a kind of safe phrase for me and I used it through that time.

At the moment I can't get to a place where I can exercise control over my constant churning over stuff. I know what incident happended to bring all this to the surface. From what ive read I think i have low self esteem that when triggered by events result in this mild constant anxiety.

Ive tried really hard today when Ive been out and focussed on actively looking at the things around me 'appreciating' them - a form of distraction I suppose.

I do think I need some input fro counselling to unravel it all this time.

Dont underestimate the power of your book - in the past for bouts of mild depression I have only ever used self help strategies.

Only us are experts in ourselves.

I'm the same! Oddly though I'm not shy It's getting worse though so will be watching this thread with interest.

MrsAlex Im not shy at all either. Im quite happy to complain, ask for help..its more to do with personal friendships.

My current 'state' has been a slow train coming I have found myself avoiding starting any new friendships. I still chat but I dont put myself forward to do as much...I stick to a smaller group and dont think I can cope with anymore because of the ruminating.

I know this is a deep seated insecurity, i can be trusting and open on one hand but be instantly suspicious and utterly paranoid too....my brain is stuck on a spin cycle some days.

how are you snuggly?

yes i have had social anxiety and find the only way to deal with it is to accept it! if your in a group of people some are talkers some listeners some a bit of both! if you accept that you are a shy/quiet person then so will other people and it is nothing to be embarassed about, the world would be a boring place if there were all talkers and no listeners, there has to be an even balance.

My Bil suffered terribly. He takes Seroxat (paroxetine) anti d & it changed his life.

Hi,
I'm doing ok, thanks for thinking of me andsmile.

Justyeh, I really think that is the attitude I need to have, instead of feeling like less of a person because I find it so hard to chat to people.