I sit at home alone, most nights, just researching stuff on the computer, working out, watching tv etc. I have a social anxiety issue so just going to a bar and meeting people is really scary thought for me. This really sucks. I have a couple friends but it seems that they are busy or don’t think to call me. Even if they did invite me out, I would feel so uncomfortable going. Any one have advice?

There are many methods known to date that can help you overcoming the social anxiety.

First thing that will have to be considered is a lifestyle changes. These alone probably will not be enough to overcome social anxiety disorder, but they will support the overall treatment progress. The lifestyle changes that will help you reduce anxiety levels and set the stage for successful treatment are:
1. Avoid or limit caffeine, because it act as stimulant and increases anxiety symptoms;
2. Drink alcohol only in moderation. You may be tempted to drink before a party or other social situation in order to calm your nerves, but alcohol increases your risk of having an anxiety attack;

3. Quit smoking, nicotine is a powerful stimulant and smoking leads to higher levels of anxiety;
4. Get adequate sleep, because if you are sleep deprived, you are more vulnerable to anxiety.

However, therapy is the only way to treat and cure the social phobia completely and the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven as the best for doing so. CBT is based on the premise that what you think affects how you feel, and your feelings affect your behavior. So if you can change the way you are thinking about situations that give you anxiety, you will feel and function better.

Social anxiety can be cured in time and CBT can teah your brain to let go of your old ways and life a normal life.

The difference between Social Anxiety Disorder and shyness, explained by HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft.

Duration : 0:1:16

Technorati Tags: harry croft, healthyplace, mental health, psychiatry, psychology, SAD, shy, shyness, social anxiety disorder, social phobia, social withdrawl

This is my introduction video to my Social Anxiety vlog. I have had Social Anxiety my whole life. Anxiety runs in my family so most of my anxiety is biological. I watched a few other YouTube vlogs of people with Social Anxiety and it inspired me to make my own. My Anxiety was about 3/10 when making this video. The symptoms of my panic attacks include: dry mouth, blushing, shaky hands/legs, rapid heart beat, rapid swallowing, eye watering, butterflies in stomach, sweating. Of course when all this is going on it makes it difficult to carry on a conversation, or even make eye contact. It’s a very panicky feeling and I instinctively search for a way to get out of the situation. At the time of making this video, I had just failed out my first semester as a sophomore in college. The anxiety got too high for me to handle. This is when I decided I needed to start a recovery plan. I found a therapist to talk to, but I had a lot of difficulty speaking because of the high levels of anxiety I had during the appointments. So YouTube was a way I could express myself better and still face my anxiety at the same time.

Duration : 0:9:58

Technorati Tags: anxiety, blog, disorder, phobia, social, spiffyrich, vlog

Ponder on things that run inside your mind when you’re having an attack. Instead of thinking about losing control or, even worse, dying, start thinking about positive and happy thoughts, such as assuring or convincing yourself that you’ll soon get out of the situation.

Never think that the panic attack will make your heart stop and will make you stop breathing, or even make you go crazy and lose control. These are common emotional symptoms that are controllable. Again, don’t think about negative things when you’re having an attack. Instead, focus on positive and calming things. You can start by thinking that panic attacks can be treated and that you’ll never die from it.

Link for Part 2/2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU3GyA-IVfE

In this fifth chapter of my life and social anxiety I talk about my private life in the same period as I covered in Chapter 4. I discuss relationship breakups, friends, new years eve, going to court, workmen, flat hunting and landlords.

View other chapters…
Chapter 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok3SHgfZNI4 (Primary School)
Chapter 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGWOIDBDsSo (Secondary School)
Chapter 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEO_UPLCBeo (College)
Chapter 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnnp5kyg-i0 (Work)

Duration : 0:8:49

Technorati Tags: breakups, clubbing, court, flat, friends, girlfriend, house, hunting, landlords, losing, moving out, new years eve, relationships, social anxiety, social phobia, testimony, workmen

Duration : 0:9:1

Technorati Tags: Movie

Duration : 0:7:49

Technorati Tags: adhd, anorexia, anxiety, Attack, bulimia, depression, disorder, eating, ed, panic, social

Duration : 0:5:31

Technorati Tags: anxiety, dare, phobia, social

Psychiatrist – prescribes medication for mental illness
Psychologist- a "shrink" or therapist. Someone who cannot prescribe medication. Someone you "talk about your problems" with.

Duration : 0:6:1

Technorati Tags: anxiety, disorder, phobia, social