Punching Social Anxiety In The Face

[anxiety247]

I've been pushing myself to be more social and it has helped alot. I am able to answer the door, walk around outside away from the front door and start conversations.
If I cant think of anything to say, i just say nothing and dont worry about it. It took several months but the progress seems to be permenant. I can have cave days and then later pick up with socializing again.

That's great! I hope to be there someday. I'll go outside, but only because we wouldn't really see our neighbors unless we were standing at the top of the driveway. Otherwise I feel comfortable because no ones around and I can relax.

If I were in an apartment or something, it would probably be a little different. Maybe I'd push myself to go out even though there would more likely be some kind of social interaction.

 

[BraidedPony]

I moved to an apartment complex that has a common room with t.v.s, coffee, pool table and computer room. So there is always people hanging out, visiting.
I felt like if I lived here it would be easier to meet people and it has. There are several people that I know by name and will stop and talk to when we are out and about.
I think social anxiety can be improved. I actually enjoy short visits now.

 

[Tony Ramirez]

I use to go to all groups that my Church hosts but I got social burnout with the same old people showing up with the same stupid small talk questions like "how was your day" so now I only attend one group when it meets on Wednesday night and Sunday morning service nothing else at least until I recover from social anxiety and burnout.

 

[Suzanne]

Yep. I'm not on them any more but I've been on a few different SSRIs over the years and they made a massive difference to my life. I wouldn't have even been capable of attending therapy if it wasn't for meds reducing my anxiety enough for me to leave the house. I probably would have committed suicide without them. They didn't cure anything but they made my mental state tolerable enough for me to take action to heal myself.

What is the name of the medicine?

I am seeing my therapist next month and am going to ask him about medicine for anxiety. Currently he is insisting I have depression, when in fact, I do not suffer that.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

What is the name of the medicine?

I am seeing my therapist next month and am going to ask him about medicine for anxiety. Currently he is insisting I have depression, when in fact, I do not suffer that.

If I'm remembering correctly I've been on Sertraline, Fluoxetine, and Citalopram. All SSRIs. All equally effective. If he thinks you have depression and is considering prescribing meds he'll probably put you on an SSRI anyway.

 

[Judge]

What is the name of the medicine?

I am seeing my therapist next month and am going to ask him about medicine for anxiety. Currently he is insisting I have depression, when in fact, I do not suffer that.

Just be careful about conveying any preference of pharmaceuticals under such circumstances to whomever is in a position to prescribe them. Especially if you fundamentally object to their primary diagnosis to begin with.

Besides, there's an ugly reality to most drug therapies. That it's more often than not a "hit or miss proposition" in settling on one or more pharmaceuticals that actually work for you. And to understand that any number of drugs can be used for symptoms that address any number of conditions in which you may- or may not have.

Try the best you can to work with them rather than initially project working against their advice.

 

[Fino]

What is the name of the medicine?

I am seeing my therapist next month and am going to ask him about medicine for anxiety. Currently he is insisting I have depression, when in fact, I do not suffer that.

I've found Gabapentin to be very helpful for anxiety!

My doctor won't put me on anything too strong, like Valium, because of my history of abuse, so I guess that kinda says something about Gabapentin, I think?

Do Risperidone not help with your anxiety? That's what I take it for.

 

[anxiety247]

Just be careful about conveying any preference of pharmaceuticals under such circumstances to whomever is in a position to prescribe them. Especially if you fundamentally object to their primary diagnosis to begin with.

Besides, there's an ugly reality to most drug therapies. That it's more often than not a "hit or miss proposition" in settling on one or more pharmaceuticals that actually work for you. And to understand that any number of drugs can be used for symptoms that address any number of conditions in which you may- or may not have.

Try the best you can to work with them rather than initially project working against their advice.

I agree with working with their advice, but it's also good to suggest some stuff sometimes.

When I went to see my doctor, they started me on something that was barely working. I told them this and they put me on something stronger which helped much better.

Also, they do want you to try some stuff and as long as you are trying their suggestions, it doesn't hurt to suggest something else that you may want to try to see if it would help you more than what you are currently taking.

As long as she tells them she's having anxiety and would like something to treat that she should be fine asking them about it.

 

[Judge]

I agree with working with their advice, but it's also good to suggest some stuff sometimes.

When I went to see my doctor, they started me on something that was barely working. I told them this and they put me on something stronger which helped much better.

Absolutely. But once your drug therapy has already begun. By all means you want to tell your doctor if a particular medication isn't working. I know, I've been there before myself. I went through several, from those that didn't seem to do much to one that made me quite ill. You definitely need to provide feedback.

However to suggest much of any medication before they initially prescribe something could be looking for trouble. Simply put, you don't want to see your doctor scowl at you and sarcastically ask where you graduated from medical school.

With the advent of resources like the Physician's Desk Reference and the Internet there's a plethora of information out there. However it may be a little too tempting to ambush one's doctor with such information and attempt to preempt whatever treatment they may be contemplating. A mistake my mother frequently made that did not endear her at all towards her doctors.

 

[Joel's Hear]

I just posted a funny video of myself rapping on FB. I had to start out in sunglasses, but by the end I made eye contact.

Brandon Hoogstra

I think Major Tom might like this one.

Well, I'm off to bed.

 

[Suzanne]

Risperidone not help with your anxiety

Not for anxiety; for anger issues and I believe on its own, does not do anything to help me. Whereas when I was taking venflaxine alongside it, I had a complete reversal to anger, but the side effects are lowering my platelettes and depression.

So, need to discuss other options.

 

[VAW]

So I have really bad social anxiety and it's very difficult for me to communicate with people, especially in person.

Well I had met someone online last year with a similar hobby as me and today we finally met in person for the first time.

It was difficult for me to talk, but we are both shy it seems. It still went well I think, and I have a new friend now. To be honest, meeting someone you had met only online can already be pretty awkward as it is so I feel like that didn't help the situation.

I'm always afraid that my social anxiety and awkwardness will scare people away, as it has before. But fingers crossed I make it through until things become more comfortable!

What do you guys do to overcome social anxiety situations and try to make new friends?

How about having someone else with you ? That way someone else can do a lot of the talking during those quiet awkward moments. Maybe that would keep it running more smooth... Do you have anyone who would do that?

 

[anxiety247]

How about having someone else with you ? That way someone else can do a lot of the talking during those quiet awkward moments. Maybe that would keep it running more smooth... Do you have anyone who would do that?

I did have someone with me and always usually do in those situations. I get anxiety when the person that came with me gets up to use the bathroom because it usually means either awkward silence or struggling to continue the conversation lol

 

[scorpion]

What do you guys do to overcome social anxiety situations and try to make new friends?

Breath in through your nose, and dont try to overthink everything that comes at you. Let social interactions just be.. like go with the flow. It will decrease over time.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I suffered from severe social anxiety in my teens and young adult years. But by the age of 27 it was interfering with basic human needs so I spent some time understanding myself and the barriers I put in my way. I came to accept myself and would try to understand and model appropriate social behavior. It helped me enjoy friends and created the relationship that led to my spouse. I concentrated my socializing around common interests and that allowed for more relaxed interaction that let me put my practice into action. My spouse has a bit of anxiety at times, but in planning for and having social get togethers with friends at our house, I helped out with things, as I understand some of the negative internal messages that an anxious mind creates. Anything to reduce pressure works.

However, I still struggle with the fallout. It seems that the acceptance I tried to learn is conditional and anxiety still lurks in the background. When issues, especially sexual, remind me of that earlier social isolation and lost experience, extreme anxiety overwhelms me and I strike out with gratuitous cruelty towards the person reminding me of that part of my life. Because this is interfering with my enjoyment of life, I am seeking help.

I wish you the eventual satisfaction you deserve. But, learning strategies sooner than later may let you escape the damage I experienced.

 

[watersprite]

I wish I could rid myself of social anxiety. But it doesn’t seem possible. I think it’s hardwired into my nervous system.

I have a small amount of diazapam for help with meltdown level circumstances. I don’t like using it because it deadens everything, even 1/2 the smallest dose possible.

 

[Fino]

I wish I could rid myself of social anxiety. But it doesn’t seem possible. I think it’s hardwired into my nervous system.

I have a small amount of diazapam for help with meltdown level circumstances. I don’t like using it because it deadens everything, even 1/2 the smallest dose possible.

I found that xanax felt better. Have you tried that?

 

[watersprite]

I found that xanax felt better. Have you tried that?

I have not. Don’t have much experience with prescription drugs. If I can get an appointment with the person who did my exam I will ask her about xanax.