i believe i have social anxiety disorder. Whenever i am the center of attention (giving a speech or something like that) i almost always get very red in the face, my heart rate increases a lot, my thoughts are not clear, and my voice trembles.
i have researched this disorder for some time and everywhere i look i see stories that it is a horrible disorder, it can ruin peoples social lives, and drugs are needed to HELP this disorder.
i need to know if it is possible to psychologically overcome this disorder. I am only 18 years old, and i dont want to go on anti-depressants and what not, i just want to try and overcome this disorder.
has anyone ever heard of someone that overcame social phobia without the use of prescription drugs?
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A friend of mine had the same problems as you are having when you have to publicly speak etc. He overcame it by joining a Public Speaking Club, a Debating Club and a Poetry/Writers Club! He got so used to speaking to people it was no longer an issue and he never took pills in any form for it. I hope you can overcome it naturally as you want to. Best wishes. uk
I have suffered from social anxiety disorder all my life. The following is some information about social anxiety disorder. Read the information and if you feel you have it contact a psychiatrist. There are medications and therapy for this condition. I hope this helps you.
Social anxiety is the fear of social situations that involve interaction with other people. Put another way, social anxiety is the fear and anxiety of being judged and evaluated by other people. If a person usually becomes anxious in social situations, but seems fine when they are alone, then "social anxiety" may be the problem.
People with social anxiety are many times seen by others as being shy, quiet, backward, withdrawn, inhibited, unfriendly, nervous, aloof, and disinterested. People with social anxiety want to be "normal" socially, they want to make friends and they want to be involved and engaged in social interactions.
Having social anxiety prevents people from being able to do the things they want.
People with social anxiety usually experience significant distress in the following situations:
Being introduced to other people
Being teased or criticized
Being the center of attention
Social situations where the person exhibits excessive self-consciousness
Being watched or observed while doing something
Having to say something in a formal, public situation
Meeting people in authority ("important people/authority figures")
Feeling insecure and out of place in social situations ("I don’t know what to say.")
Embarrassing easily (e.g., blushing)
Meeting other peoples’ eyes
Swallowing, writing, talking, making phone calls if in public
This list is not a complete list of symptoms -- other symptoms may be associated with social anxiety as well.
The feelings that accompany social anxiety include anxiety, intense fear, nervousness, automatic negative thinking cycles, racing heart, blushing, excessive sweating, dry throat and mouth, trembling, and muscle twitches.
Constant, intense anxiety is the most common feature.
People with social anxiety know that their anxiety is irrational and does not make logical sense. Nevertheless, thoughts and feelings of anxiety persist and show no signs of going away, without appropriate treatment.
Wait a minute, you diagnosed yourself? You do not having social anxiety, you have the same anxiety every person faces when they have to speak or something in front of a crowd. You need to see a doctor and find out why you're tripping so hard on yourself. If you had social anxiety you'd have trouble leaving your house and making eye contact.
If you are a natural person you should try cognitive behavioral therapy. It was the only thing that has helped me with my horrible health anxiety. Read here https://tr.im/LU2KM
Your thinking determines your quality of life. Your thinking is what causes you these feelings:
Anxious, fearful, stressed or depressed
Constantly worried, or angry about something that is happening in your life
Struggling to overcome obsessive and negative thoughts.
If you change your thinking, you will change your life. This is the basic idea behind CBT for anxiety. The Cognitive part is where you learn nee methods and ways to change your same old habits and thinking patterns. If you keep thinking and expecting the worst – You will continue to suffer.
I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.
Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life