I used to have social anxiety a lot more than I do nowadays. My anxiety got to the point where I was agoraphobic, and even going to the village shop that I'd been going to for over 15 years would trigger debilitating panic attacks. Going to new places, driving far from home, even walking far from home would all cause attacks.
In the end I started dating my current partner, although we first got speaking online. When I used to visit her on weekends I had to do a 3.5 hour drive which took me around the main motorway that circles London. Bear in mind - I grew up in a tiny village and lived there all my life.
We dated, we went out to new places etc and the panic attacks were unbearable. From the drive to her house, through to staying in an unfamiliar place and going to places in an unfamiliar town which was over 100 miles from home.
Little by little things started to improve. Mind you - I never thought they would improve. But, gradually as I kept exposing myself to that which made me most nervous and anxious; I started to get less panic attacks.
My anxiety was very much health based in the early years. 5 years of constant, almost 24/7 aches pains and symptoms. So, with anxiety triggering locations etc, even when I wasn't having panic attacks, the aches, pains and symptoms would go into overdrive.
Usually dizziness, headaches, neck tension, chest pain and any sort of muscular ache or pain imaginable. Whether they lasted hours, days, weeks or months. It was none stop.
I suppose meeting my current partner pushed me well past my comfort zone. But, it gradually helped anxiety lessen. Of course, a worrier will always be a worrier - but eventually I could do long drives and probably 8 or 9 times out of 10 I do ok. Yes - I'm tense, but often not to the point of aches or pains, and certainly not to the point of a panic attack.
Same goes for being in new places - I feel tense, but I try my best to be mindful and take in the world around me as opposed to being stuck inside my head in the outside world.
It's not a "cure" but it is a marked improvement over how I used to be. I suppose with enough time and effort I saw some improvements, but the first few months were horrendous.
As for depression and losing interest and enjoyment - I know these only too well. I've had depression since I was 17 and as the years have worn on, it's got me to a point where I enjoy very little. It's not for want of trying, and I do keep trying to push myself to try new things and not get stuck in the same routine - but it's not easy.
I tend to find when anxiety lessens, depression rises and vice versa. It's tricky as both are heightened by work, and where I work and the nature of the job I do. So I don't think I'll see any more marked improvements until I have a career I enjoy.
Exercise can help somewhat though. A daily walk, some fresh air etc. Get away from people and all that. Again - it's no cure, but it can gradually help you feel a little better off in your mind.
Ed
