What to do when social anxiety disorder is getting worse?!?
Hi there! I’m 20, a college student and have social anxiety disorder and it’s getting worse. I can barely buy a bottle of water without having my heart jumping out of my chest and shaking. I sometimes can’t look at my teacher cause I’m afraid of starting shaking and humiliate myself with a stupid answer etc. I’m gonna go to a psychologist tomorrow for the first time and my real question would be ‘How can this disorder be treatable?’. Can I cure myself or seriously need help? Thanks for answers.
I think it helps to keep in mind that you aren’t alone. A large percentage of the population has a hard time trying to get over social anxiety. That might not be very comforting, but remember people aren’t waiting for you to screw up, only you are. If you have a positive self image, it will become easier to talk to people.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:03 am
sound like we rocking in the same boat. Its great that you have decided to meet someone who can offer help and advice, that’s a huge step. SAD is awful and it takes over your entire life, starts to control you no matter what. C.B.T (cognitive behavioural therapy) helps alter the way you think, sad is linked a lot with how we perceive ourselves, others and the world. Should help you think in a more positive way. Medication is great too so after seeing a professional he may offer you medicine with cbt. If its getting worse, then no you cant cure it on your own you need help and no need to be ashamed of it. You and your health carer can work together to battle your fear. Best of luck for tomorrow
References :
February 12th, 2010 at 8:52 am
I think it helps to keep in mind that you aren’t alone. A large percentage of the population has a hard time trying to get over social anxiety. That might not be very comforting, but remember people aren’t waiting for you to screw up, only you are. If you have a positive self image, it will become easier to talk to people.
References :
http://anxiety.stjoes.ca/socialphobia.htm
February 12th, 2010 at 9:21 am
i got it to……………. i went to the pysch ward mine was so bad =) the pysch ward help me a crap load and that really helped me like ALOT 18 days their (by the 10 or 12th i got dianosed) with 2 people my age in a ADULT pysch ward so i got lucky that 2 kids failed at killing themselves.
i was really good friends with them, my time in their and i got their numebrs and emails before they left.
just ill giveu a few tips.
1. keepa journel of every single anxious thought u have. write it down as soon as u get one. make sure ur compeltely honest to why u got the anxious thought, how, and how it made u feel. its really redundent and time consuming…and annoying nad stupid. but its really worth it. even if ur in public make sure u write it down.
2. you have to be comfortable with yourself<this is vital.
3.take realyl small social steps
4. experiment social situations. thats what i did in the pysch ward. here ill give u this site they gave me in the ward. for example my personal one was: if i have nothing to say and im worried about waht im goign to say is stupid or not just dont do anything. let it die if u dont have anythign natural to say. just small experiments like that. also keep saying your wrong, your irrational this is your S.A.D talking.
References :
http://www.klis.com/chandler/pamphlet/socphob/socphobpamphlet.htm
February 12th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Hey… Victoria here, maybe my personal story can give you some solace…
a lil about me- about a year after my husband left me and my daughter died about 5 years ago.. I was at a very difficult point in my life, and was ultimately diagnosed with depression, severe anxiety, and panic disorder. I would say that i’ve always for the most part been a little depressed and had some degree of anxiety, but this just completely tipped the scale. I remember there were days on end I would just lie in bed, and whenever I would be in a social environment my anxiety would go through the roof and I would often have panic attacks. Therapy never seemed to be effective for me, and my psych put me on damn near every med out there. I’ve been on everything from wellbutrin to paxil, zoloft, prozac, lexapro, celexa, buspar, valium, klonopin, xanax.. etc. Sometimes 2-3 different ones in combo at the same time. Nothing really seemed to work for me. With the exception of some of the benzos (klono./xanax) .. these worked well for a little while, but I grew tolerance quickly, and became highly addicted.
Then one day while researching online i came across this reputable looking website http://www.anxiety.pcti-system.com .. which talked about this program to eliminate your anxiety for good, all naturally. Long story short, I wound up signing up to try it and the program worked amazing.. Not only do I no longer have panic attacks and anxiety gone, but my depression has also seemed to dissipate a little. And I’m currently starting to slowly ween off the meds I’m on. >>>>
I would personally say that possibly the biggest driving factor in all this is OCD. I think obsessing and constantly having your thoughts focused on your own condition and constantly analyzing your own thoughts/actions plays a very significant role in the persistence of our ails. Almost like the condition is a small lit fire, and OCD is the fuel that keeps it consistently burning… Also, I’ve come to the conclusion that meds are generally a unhealthy short term cure that only semi-treats the symptoms, and never the cause. Hope I was of some help!
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February 12th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hi. Your story is the same as my son’s and you have our best wishes in your quest to overcome your problem. In answer to your question, I am not a professional but I know that my son found advice that he used to cure himself and has never looked back. It is such a relief to me also because I was very frustrated at not being able to help him at first. He definetely wanted to conquer his problem by his own efforts without medications or professional help, and he has achieved it. However, this apporach may not suit you and I am sure that the psychologist will make a huge difference to you. Anyway, good luck and if you want to read the advice my son used, try the site below which will lead you to it. Good luck. Remember you are an amazing person.
References :
http://www.yougoingforward.com