social anxiety and CBT

RND_CHR

Well-known member
I'm going to a therapist to start CBT for social anxiety. The problem is that I'm having trouble describing to my therapist the cause of my anxiety. The biggest anxiety issue for me is that I get really nervous before starting a conversation with, and having a conversation with, people I'm unfamiliar with. But I got the impression from the therapist that it was problematic that I couldn't tell him what thoughts were creating these emotions. So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas how I could figure out what thoughts were causing this anxiety.
 

Helyna

Well-known member
Why should this be problematic? Isn't figuring that out part of what the therapist's job is?
 

phase3

Member
Let it go...

Mate, I wouldn't be to concerned about it. Helyna is correct, if the therapist is good, they will be able to work out what thoughts are causing you a problem. By focusing on what thoughts you are having is only going to fuel your anxiety. Let the therapist work it out through CBT, after they get paid a fair quid.
 
RND_CHR said:
I'm going to a therapist to start CBT for social anxiety. The problem is that I'm having trouble describing to my therapist the cause of my anxiety. The biggest anxiety issue for me is that I get really nervous before starting a conversation with, and having a conversation with, people I'm unfamiliar with. But I got the impression from the therapist that it was problematic that I couldn't tell him what thoughts were creating these emotions. So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas how I could figure out what thoughts were causing this anxiety.

CBT can be problematic. Try learning ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) along with CBT. CBT sometimes wants you to change or correct thoughts, ACT doesn't.
 

light

Member
maybe you can write it down. keeping a journal with important information highlighted (with a highlighter, of course) will help you remember what you want to address. your visits will be fewer and get more productive. my recovery and self-induced cbt had nothing to do with why or the past. i just decided to forget the past and move foreward.
 

phase3

Member
sabbath92003 said:
RND_CHR said:
I'm going to a therapist to start CBT for social anxiety. The problem is that I'm having trouble describing to my therapist the cause of my anxiety. The biggest anxiety issue for me is that I get really nervous before starting a conversation with, and having a conversation with, people I'm unfamiliar with. But I got the impression from the therapist that it was problematic that I couldn't tell him what thoughts were creating these emotions. So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas how I could figure out what thoughts were causing this anxiety.

CBT can be problematic. Try learning ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) along with CBT. CBT sometimes wants you to change or correct thoughts, ACT doesn't.

Hey Sabbath, what are your thoughts on CBT vs ACT? I touched on both but never really mastered either. I'm confused as to which one is right for me. Do you stand and 'fight' or 'let the stream roll by'? I did see the research has shown that ACT is as good as CBT and has a longer overall lasting effect. I just feel that sometimes you need to pump yourself up and CBT is good for that.
 

UnOccupied

Well-known member
Thats like asking a person with anger issues try not to get angry when someone cuts them off driving.

I have the exact same problem. Well, i did at least. I have learned to slow down, and after two months of CBT, im actually getting pretty good at identifying what sets me off onto SA. When we get anxious, it is usually because our negative thoughts speed up so much, and get so overbearing that it send us into anxiety land as i like to call it, or just flat out depression.

I think that the best thing you can to to try to describe your thoughts prior to becoming anxious is to do this: when you find yourself in a highly anxious mood, try realize this, and tell yourself to slowwwwww downnnnn. Then, since you just became anxious, and it is still fresh in your mind, try to think right then and there what thoughts made you get into that mood. Not only thoughts, but focus on your irrational beliefs, and negative expectations. All these things send us spiraling into anxiety.
 

scarednotshy

Well-known member
Anxiety, Anxiousness, Practically Speaking - a Head-Cleaners' Shrink Rap Page.

I found this. I'm still reading but so far it confirms what I've always said which is that the majority of time the anxiety starts first, thoughts come after (self berating, etc.). I have tried to talk myself in to the thought that I was just gonna talk, be myself and not care what anyone thinks but I get around people and WHAM I go mute, adrenaline starts flowing, heart banging, sweating sometimes and it gets worse and worse. Some days are better than others.

I think it would be impossible for that Therapist to expect you to be able to pinpoint a precise thought every time you're anxious. It just doesn't work that way.

Maybe if you find the article helpful, you might recommend it to her. Not all Therapists know exactly how to deal with anxiety and the BIOLOGICAL aspects of it.

Hope you are able to get the help you need!
 

UnOccupied

Well-known member
Anxiety, Anxiousness, Practically Speaking - a Head-Cleaners' Shrink Rap Page.

I found this. I'm still reading but so far it confirms what I've always said which is that the majority of time the anxiety starts first, thoughts come after (self berating, etc.). I have tried to talk myself in to the thought that I was just gonna talk, be myself and not care what anyone thinks but I get around people and WHAM I go mute, adrenaline starts flowing, heart banging, sweating sometimes and it gets worse and worse. Some days are better than others.

I think it would be impossible for that Therapist to expect you to be able to pinpoint a precise thought every time you're anxious. It just doesn't work that way.

Maybe if you find the article helpful, you might recommend it to her. Not all Therapists know exactly how to deal with anxiety and the BIOLOGICAL aspects of it.

Hope you are able to get the help you need!

I don't know, i feel a little differently, but i do respect your opinion. I guess all our anxiety is just different...makes sense.

But, in my case, it is mostly my negative beliefs and viewpoints that cause my anxiety. Like, before i talk, i stop myself a lot, because of my belief that i don't deserve to speak. And, going into a public place, i get anxious, because of my belief that everyone will judge me and think i am being a jerk just for walking. These belief cause me to have negative thoughts.

But, i agree, it is not JUST thoughts that cause my anxiety. But, the thoughts are a big part of it.

Just my opinion. does it make any sense at all? lol, i guess i can be confusing in my writing sometimes.:rolleyes:
 

scarednotshy

Well-known member
I don't know, i feel a little differently, but i do respect your opinion. I guess all our anxiety is just different...makes sense.

But, in my case, it is mostly my negative beliefs and viewpoints that cause my anxiety. Like, before i talk, i stop myself a lot, because of my belief that i don't deserve to speak. And, going into a public place, i get anxious, because of my belief that everyone will judge me and think i am being a jerk just for walking. These belief cause me to have negative thoughts.

But, i agree, it is not JUST thoughts that cause my anxiety. But, the thoughts are a big part of it.

Just my opinion. does it make any sense at all? lol, i guess i can be confusing in my writing sometimes.:rolleyes:

not confusing at all :)

i agree that there are thoughts involved somewhere in there but for me, for example, when i know i have to walk out the door the adrenaline begins before i have any thoughts about how i'm walking or whatever thoughts might come. the feelings just start then the thoughts come about how weird i look are how goofy i sound when i talk, etc. i agree that these feelings came from messages we got somewhere along the line but i could never in a million years be able to pinpoint each exact thought to correspond to each feeling as it is so complex an issue. my mind will race along with my heart rate and my anxiety levels will rise and drop throughout the day and thoughts will cycle between neg. and positive.

but as you said, we are each different and experience things uniquely.

i think one thing we can agree on is that this is so very draining and wastes energy that could be spent on so many other great things. :(
 
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