Curing social anxiety..
Posted , 5 users are following.
Would people say that going in at the deep end and attending a full on party would help with social anxiety. Or would it be better to start small, go out for a drink then home, the next week stay out longer and build up confidence building it up from there.
I went to a hen party last weekend and made myself sick for a whole week with worry, when I got there I actually did enjoy myself. But when a chance to go out this weekend came up panic set back in and I'm not sure it's a good idea as this involves staying over at a friends house in another city I'm not used to. She is happy to go out for tea and then I can come home and that I am comfortable with. But now worried that I am protecting myself by not going out and by not pushing myself. I haven't even managed to see a doctor about my anxiety yet so I have no treatment or anything to cope.
0 likes, 7 replies
jmcg2014 bella72575
Posted
It's too individual a problem to say to be honest, and it depends on the root cause of the anxiety which is presenting as social anxiety. Only you can really know, i don't think anyone could accurately tell you the best way forward,as there simply isn't one, its whatever works for you
cia42277 bella72575
Posted
Hi Bella, from what i've read here from others with your challenge, this is what worked for them. Baby steps, only one step up from the last one you were comfortable with. A party (for the ones that tried it) sent them into major anxiety overload.
The other piece of advice they all gave was, no booze. I underatand that one...a couple mouthfuls of wine was enough to convince me that anxiety and liquor are major enemies.
Take your next comfortable step and enjoy yorself, Bella. You are doing just fine, darling girl.
bella72575 cia42277
Posted
Thank you for your advice. I'm going to take it slowly and start with what I feel comfortable with and build it up from there! Last weekend was too much for me, going from nothing to meal, drinks and partying!
cia42277 bella72575
Posted
Very wise decision, dear Bella. <>
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lisalisa67 bella72575
Posted
erica34976 bella72575
Posted
Hi I too suffer with social anxiety
I was compleatly "normal" ( what ever that is and "confident" 5 weeks ago when this came on me.
For the first 2 weeks my bed was my only option as even goin to the sofa made me anxious let alone goin out sides X the only place I felt safe was there and I'm only 31 . I'm now at the put where I can go to tesco ( because I no I won't be there long an then straight back home. Which for me is massive progress considering how traumatic it was at first
Personally I would advise small steps and each time you have achieved a meal out or even to the shop and you were ok remember how good it felt to get out and socialise again and to feel "FREE" even if it was for a short period. This for me is very slowly building my confidence and I don't fill with dred at the thought of goin out even though it is still very much a struggle
Hope everything works out for you
bella72575 erica34976
Posted
How awful for it to come on so suddenly! Mine has built up slowly over a few years and is very much focused on specific types of social occasions mainly involving alcohol so I'm able to continue working and going to the shops. I hope you manage to get sorted too. I'm going to take things slowly step by step!