Any suggestions for defeating social anxiety disorder?!


Question: Any suggestions for defeating social anxiety disorder.?
I went to a Halloween party and had a panic attack and left- In large groups of people I don't know, a feel so claustrophobic.
This is not the first time- so more than often i avoid situations like that- as a result, i have few friends. I just have this crippling shyness.
It;s odd- i'm in sales, and do my job well, if it's in the context of something I do well- but social settings, i'm hopeless- How can i beat my panic attacks and be able to successfully be social.?Health Question & Answer


Answers:
View the information and weblinks for social anxiety/shyness, and self confidence, in sections 9, and 38, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Panic attack treatments are shown in section 8. Here is an exercise that can help you. It is called "Act as If." When you are in a social situation, act as if you are outgoing. Talk more, smile at everyone, ask questions, speak in a normal or excited tone, not a meek tone. Watch some of your outgoing peers, and imitate the style of their social behavior. (I PRETEND that I'm an ACTOR, PLAYING a PART).

Research shows that when you "act as if" continually, your image of yourself begins to conform to your new behavior. In this case, you will gain self-esteem and self-confidence, and begin to see yourself as socially normal, not shy. You will become more socially successful, and this will motivate you to continue your new social behavior until it becomes a habit. Try this for a month, in every situation you can. I am confident that you will become much more comfortable and outgoing. One form of therapy is to go somewhere that nobody knows you, and deliberately make an utter fool of yourself: put on a paper hat, and scream out: "I'm queen/king of America!", or something else ridiculous, then get back in the taxi, (warn the driver of your intentions, first) or car, and leave.

People will point, and say: "Look at that idiot". But, you're probably not up to the stage where you can do that, yet (I can, and I used to be shy). It will teach you that, although it isn't actually pleasant, (EXPECT MODERATE DISCOMFORT) you will survive; be stronger for the experience, and the next time (should you need to repeat this type of therapy) will be considerably easier. Remember: "A fear avoided is a fear strengthened; a fear faced is a fear reduced." Regard it as your final test: once you have accomplished it, the barrier will be broken; just don't go too far, the other way! Learn to laugh at yourself, and give a big, cheesy grin when others see you do something foolish, as we all do, occasionally. It is endearing, if you don't do it too often. Use positive affirmations: for example: "I am very likable and other people feel comfortable around me".

Write down all of your self limiting beliefs; then write down the positive counter of them, (exact opposite) and repeat them and imprint them into your mind. Most importantly: Force yourself to approach somebody and initiate some sort of communication. Start out small by asking the time and directions and gradually go bigger. Although there are anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) available, these come with risks, and the possibility of side effects, habituation, even addiction, and withdrawal problems, and are unsuitable for young people.

Try having a cup of "Tension Tamer", herbal tea, by Celestial Seasonings, (from supermarket tea, or health food aisles) or make some at home, and cool, then bottle, and drink as needed (I find it so strong tasting, that I need to drink it quickly, followed by something like fruit juice, to take away the taste, but others may find it more tolerable). C(h)amomile tea is a more palatable option. As with all herbal/green teas, use lemon/lime, and/or a little sweetener (NOT ARTIFICIAL!!!) but no cream, or milk.

Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey, because these will reduce "sugar spikes". Valerian has also been recommended, but some people experience "valerian hangovers". Ensure you know how you react to it, before doing something potentially dangerous, like going out on the roads. The idea is to use the above like water wings, to provide initial, short term support, while you become proficient in the above techniques. If the above is insufficient, after several weeks, seek therapy (see section 1,at ezy build, and feel free to email me, then, by clicking on my profile).
Health Question & Answer

Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.

Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.

The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....

Extracted from Source.Health Question & Answer

Don't feel bad. I had my father with Parkinson's disease passing out candy at the door this year. I have social phobia. My poor dad can barely walk.

I am 31 years old. I just hate the thought of people going near me. I only work with children & senior citizens. It's like a comfy spot for me. Less judgmental people.Health Question & Answer

A good counselor can help you explore the reasons you have this problem. also, antidepressants are prescribed and often help people with social anxiety. However, you should get treatment, not just medicine.Health Question & Answer

first off , hate spewers are not Christians no matter what they might consider themselves...but I understand exactly what you mean. You need a solution and there is no step by step in the bible for your specific situation. That is like if you need your car fixed and someone says to turn to the bible....I get it....

For real help , well I found help with anxiety at here:

http://panicaway.com/
I promise on a stack of bibles that this worked for me.

Health Question & Answer

your just like me i used to take medication but it never really seemed to help me but you can give it a try also talking to a therpist never helped me also but you could also try that who knows i might just be different sorry that was no help =[Health Question & Answer

The answers to anxiety are in the Bible.

Check out this website: http://www.mentalhealthsolutions.info/Health Question & Answer



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