Social Anxiety help.

[Michael Austin Dobson]

Hello everyone I have social anxiety. I was just wondering, If anyone knows of any way to get over it. Any help would be nice. It has gotten to the point, where I can't even hangout with my friends.

[rachina]

Counselling can help alot! i used to not be able to talk to people at all including my teachers and i would literally make my self sick worrying about any sort of social or public event to the point where I'd be sick. Now i can actually talk to people without wanting to run away and i don't get sick anymore.

[Jennifer Somers Walker]

Im non social, but i dont have social anxiety. My suggestion? talk to nerdfighters on the internet, find out how to make conversation using chat, then go up to one of your friends and say hi. Ask how his/her day was a few questions. talk for about a minute then go. Do that until you can a) talk for longer than a minute/30 seconds/however long you start with or b) can talk to someone else/more than one person.

I hope that helps. I went to a councelor person because of my horrable social skills (i have a learning disorder) and I have some papers i can give you if you want them. It just talks about social skills.

[Michael Austin Dobson]

Wow Jennifer this is actually the best help I have gotten :) thank you. I will have to give this a try.

[Michael Lee]

Hey, your not the only one who has problems :). I have OCD, yknow rituals and stuff, i have a motto.

 

AAC

 

Acknowledge: Realize you have it and admit it.

Accept: accept it is part of you.

Control: learn to make the decision and not let it decide for you. Mind over matter, i know it sounds corny but it works.

 

While i can not truly understand what you go through i can try to empathize. for me i feel nervous around people i dont know, and im not fond of large groups of people. Anyways, whenever i see symptoms of my ocd, like washing my hands over and over again, or checking my bag over and over again, i stop, take a breathe and mentally tell my ocd to eff itself. it makes me feel like i have more control. Make it something you can fight. And as for conversation starters, jokes i find are the best. Or books and movies.  And remember, most people are worried about being judged and criticized, sometimes being honest is the best way to go.

 

Your not alone :)

[Michael Austin Dobson]

Thank you this is also very helpful :) I am just glad i found a place where I can just be myself and not be judged :)

[Debbie Lindsay]

I've been working with a counsellor on my social anxiety and it has helped a lot. We've been doing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). So it takes the thoughts that happen when you go into a social situation and pulls them apart - What's the worse thing that will happen? What's the best thing that will happen? What's the likely outcome? If the worst happens can you live with it? What would you tell a friend if they were in the same situation?

It's been really good for me. Also, if you expose yourself to situations and let your anxiety decrease naturally it will get better. But you want to make sure you are doing this in situations where you aren't going to be exposed to things that would make your anxiety worse (ridicule etc), basically, do some fun things with your friends and let them know how you are feeling so they can support you. The more positive experiences you have the easier it gets.

 

Trust me I know (I've been dealing with social anxiety for 10 years and I get better and better)

Good luck :)