Malfunction
New member
Social Phobia…..WOW. Who would have thought that such strong emotions will affect our lives? I hate anxiety and panic attacks. Don’t we all!!!!!
I posted my story under a guest name some time ago. I’m now a member as I’ve realised that my problems won’t go away overnight.
Things that have helped my social phobias and panic attacks:
Talking about my problem – I seeked help (and still am) from a councillor and told family (mum and dad) about my problems. The councillor is working very well and I recommend it to anyone. I work at a university and the service is free. The same will apply to most universities (even if it advertised for limited number of sessions) and large corporate businesses. Cost shouldn’t be an issue anyway.
Just by typing this message I feel better. I also find reading the longer post and peoples experiences better for my own social phobias.
Relaxing – This is very important. Stress lead to most of my panic attacks. Before presentations (including lecturing), pressure from exams, meetings, interviews. My social phobia was so bad I couldn’t get on a bus. I learnt not to be to wind my self up in tense situations and hence increase my stress.
I decided to build into my life “quiet times”. I realised that I don’t relax like many of my friends and parents. I was always active doing something. I’m in my early 20’s and as boring as it may sound, but walking is the most relaxing technique I’ve found. I’d drive out of the city to the countryside and walk around and completely escape the hustle and bustle of city life. However, I find it relaxing to walk around some city parks.
Facing the fear – My fear started when I was doing my last exam at university. A major panic attack that caused me to stop doing the exam. Not what I needed in my last year. My panic attacks have subsided greatly over the last year.
I now try to face social phobia conditions head on. Some times I still get the locking sensation in the neck that prevents me turning to someone (e.g after I’ve paid on a bus and about to turn to walk up the aisle, standing in a que). My presentations are becoming much better now I have picked up some basic skills (outlined in the second thread of this post, http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/postt172.html)
Music – Music is a powerful tool. I could say that music gets me through the day. It helps me to relax and take my mind off anxiety. When I get very anxious (e.g. 5 mins before a presentation) I recite some lyrics from a song. It not one of my favourite songs but the lyrics and the heaviness are very appropriate. It’s a song by the Deftones. The song is called headup and the lyrics I recite over in my head are, “welcome to this world with your head up high”. In the song these are recited and shouted. It’s a great uplifting and adrenaline rushing experience to me. If any ones into rock try it out. In fact I’m quiet into the Deftones now. I never imagined I would be but all their songs tell a story and are very uplifting. Its one of the only bands I’ve found that the lyrics make sense and some songs relate to anxiety experiences.
That’s about it. I will say that my social phobias have improved greatly by using these techniques. However, a couple of weeks ago I had a panic attack similar to the bad one in the exam. It was a real draining experience and it knocked me back to square one. I felt all my efforts were wasted as I couldn’t control myself in the situation. Only now I’m trying to forget the experience and forget thinking about having a similar event. I’m slowly getting back to a better state as I was before this recent attack.
Another fear that is triggering anxiety is that I have to present a paper at three conferences this year. I have to give a presentation to 30 people, then est.. 200, then est. 180. I’m very nervous and this is triggering general social phobias in my every day life.
Lastly, I don’t believe in drugs to treat (unless its serious of course). In my opinion someone who dives straight into medications without trying to research their fears first is daft. So many people on this site list what they are taking and the quantities. This is for one particular person and has been prescribed by a GP who doesn’t know the extent of individual’s social phobias. It’s not like going getting medication for a cold or ear infection. I don’t mean to offend anyone by saying this. I apologise if I have.
I’d be grateful for some advice or similar easy to do remedies.
Thanks for reading this
I posted my story under a guest name some time ago. I’m now a member as I’ve realised that my problems won’t go away overnight.
Things that have helped my social phobias and panic attacks:
Talking about my problem – I seeked help (and still am) from a councillor and told family (mum and dad) about my problems. The councillor is working very well and I recommend it to anyone. I work at a university and the service is free. The same will apply to most universities (even if it advertised for limited number of sessions) and large corporate businesses. Cost shouldn’t be an issue anyway.
Just by typing this message I feel better. I also find reading the longer post and peoples experiences better for my own social phobias.
Relaxing – This is very important. Stress lead to most of my panic attacks. Before presentations (including lecturing), pressure from exams, meetings, interviews. My social phobia was so bad I couldn’t get on a bus. I learnt not to be to wind my self up in tense situations and hence increase my stress.
I decided to build into my life “quiet times”. I realised that I don’t relax like many of my friends and parents. I was always active doing something. I’m in my early 20’s and as boring as it may sound, but walking is the most relaxing technique I’ve found. I’d drive out of the city to the countryside and walk around and completely escape the hustle and bustle of city life. However, I find it relaxing to walk around some city parks.
Facing the fear – My fear started when I was doing my last exam at university. A major panic attack that caused me to stop doing the exam. Not what I needed in my last year. My panic attacks have subsided greatly over the last year.
I now try to face social phobia conditions head on. Some times I still get the locking sensation in the neck that prevents me turning to someone (e.g after I’ve paid on a bus and about to turn to walk up the aisle, standing in a que). My presentations are becoming much better now I have picked up some basic skills (outlined in the second thread of this post, http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/postt172.html)
Music – Music is a powerful tool. I could say that music gets me through the day. It helps me to relax and take my mind off anxiety. When I get very anxious (e.g. 5 mins before a presentation) I recite some lyrics from a song. It not one of my favourite songs but the lyrics and the heaviness are very appropriate. It’s a song by the Deftones. The song is called headup and the lyrics I recite over in my head are, “welcome to this world with your head up high”. In the song these are recited and shouted. It’s a great uplifting and adrenaline rushing experience to me. If any ones into rock try it out. In fact I’m quiet into the Deftones now. I never imagined I would be but all their songs tell a story and are very uplifting. Its one of the only bands I’ve found that the lyrics make sense and some songs relate to anxiety experiences.
That’s about it. I will say that my social phobias have improved greatly by using these techniques. However, a couple of weeks ago I had a panic attack similar to the bad one in the exam. It was a real draining experience and it knocked me back to square one. I felt all my efforts were wasted as I couldn’t control myself in the situation. Only now I’m trying to forget the experience and forget thinking about having a similar event. I’m slowly getting back to a better state as I was before this recent attack.
Another fear that is triggering anxiety is that I have to present a paper at three conferences this year. I have to give a presentation to 30 people, then est.. 200, then est. 180. I’m very nervous and this is triggering general social phobias in my every day life.
Lastly, I don’t believe in drugs to treat (unless its serious of course). In my opinion someone who dives straight into medications without trying to research their fears first is daft. So many people on this site list what they are taking and the quantities. This is for one particular person and has been prescribed by a GP who doesn’t know the extent of individual’s social phobias. It’s not like going getting medication for a cold or ear infection. I don’t mean to offend anyone by saying this. I apologise if I have.
I’d be grateful for some advice or similar easy to do remedies.
Thanks for reading this