Social anxiety??

Does anyone know anything about social anxiety disorder?? I have a horrible time trying to be in rooms full of people and sometimes it's hard for me to even carry a conversation with one person. It really affects my work life and social life at times because I work in retail and have to attend meetings several times a week. I've been to shrinks and tried the meds and all... to no avial. Any suggestions?? My life is good, I just feel like I could do much better if I learned some kind of coping skills, etc... The other night I tried to speak in front of a group of people and my friend said I looked like I was going to pass out!!

Social anxiety??
There are a couple of options for Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia. The majority of health professionals would advocate a two step approach, first beginging psychological treatment with a counselor or therapist and second seeing a psychiatrist and being put on usually an SSRI anti-depressant. There are on some occasions when a psychiatrist will also use an anti-anxiety med such as Ativan to counteract any panic attacks that may come from the anxiety.





Any psychiatrist worth their M.D. will admit that psychiatry is not an absolute science. One medication may not work for you but it might someone else. You have to be honest with the psychiatrist about your feelings and trust them as much as they must be willing to change tactics if something is not woking.





If you do choose therapy there are a number of types to consider such as immersion therapy, rational-emotive therapy and many others. You should do a little research and find one that makes sense for you. If you want to sit on a couch there is a therapy for you and if you want to be thrown into the deep end and learn to swim that way there is a therapy for that too.





As far as quick fixes there are none. Not to be a jerk but the majority of people who have social phobia often have low self-esteem and need some assistance in improving their self image so they feel equal to others.





Also make sure you are completely honest in your initial session, social phobia is often comorbid with other disorders, meaning there are often other issues that are complicating treatment. Good Luck
Reply:I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S LIKE AN EXTENDED CASE OF STAGE FRIGHT. WHAT HELPS ME IS THAT I KNOW I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE AND I SURVIVED. IF I DID IT ONCE I CAN DO IT AGAIN. SWITCH YOUR FEAR INTO AMBITION. MAKE YOURSELF WANT TO DO IT. THAT'S HARD TO DO AND IT DOES TAKE TIME, BUT IF YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT THEN YOU CAN DO IT. I DID. I WAS TO THE POINT WHERE I STAYED HOME ALL THE TIME. I DIDN'T GO TO WORK. I TAKE MY DEEP BREATHS EVERYDAY NOW AND TELL MYSELF REPEATEDLY THAT I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE AND I CAN DO IT AGAIN. THAT'S WHAT HELPS ME. I HOPE IT CAN HELP YOU.
Reply:I had the same problem. I went through many years of shyness and stammering when people talked to me. I felt insecure and inadequate. No more! I went to clown school and became a clown. While I was in my costume, people would come up to me and talk. They didn't even seem to care if I talked to them. I hid behind my makup and got so I could interact with anybody. Now, after 14 yrs of clowning around, If I feel uncomfortable, I just pretend I have makup on and I can act like everybody's my bestest friend!!! You can do this with anything...Dancing classes, acting class, even in church. Sometimes people in church are huggy touchy, feely people and that can make you relax. You have to find your own social activity that pleases you.
Reply:Maybe more of stage frieght? I have it too and if I focus on someone and realize those people are not usually paying attention anyways it's easier to get through it.





If others have to speak in front of the same group as you do too, they will be worried about their own performance and not noticing your anxiety. Everyone has a little of it, some just handle it better. If they have learned something from your speech or lesson, then you did allright.
Reply:Social anxiety is somthing you can get treated. I have had social anxiety for a while until i started taking prozac. Now i feel alot more outgoing in groups of people and i dont freak out as much. If you think you have a serious problem then its worth it to get help. Your life will be so much better with out having to worry so much.





go to..


www.freedomfromfear.org