Anyone have SA under control?

pinkcloud

pinkcloud

New member
I was always shy as a kid in front of strangers mainly adults or older kids but I always had friends and was never weird or anything. People just always thought I was shy/quiet, which isnt a bad thing. Anyway I guess somewhere in between my shyness manifested into something bigger and more depilitating, social anxiety. I had a great childhood, amazing family and good friends. I never never was without friends... yeah, I was shy but I could open up to people and have a good time. I always had an inferiority complex and I can get intimidated easily. Anway, my SA symptoms got really bad freshman yr of high school but just in the school setting like in classrooms, etc. If I was called on in class my voice would crack, I would blush, shake, I was a mess! But somehow I conquered that and made great friends, and became one of the popular girls. Okay and now I fast forward to the present...

I guess when I was younger I could avoid very intimidating/formal situations and also I was constantly with a companion always a friend/sibling/parent when I went places like the doctors, grocery store, etc. But now I'm 20yr old college student and I'm basically completely on my own now and I'm thrown with all new situations. I don't freeze up anymore or shake, voice tremble...Now my SA symptoms consist solely of sweating and blushing. AND I MEAN BLUSHING! For me the sweating really isnt of concern because I sweat naturally anyway but my armpits sweat perfusively when I'm nervous but I have prescription deodorant.

Anyway the blushing is my main concern and it's seriously the most embarrassing thing ever. I'm not 12 anymore where its cute to blush, I'm a grown adult and it's seriously ridiculous. If I'm giving a speech, I can turn lobster red and blotchy on my chest BUt my voice wont quiver, it can actually sound quite powerful. My only thing is that I blush like no other...

So here's my question:
Has anyone allieviated their anxiety through medication, beta blockers SSRI etc and has that eliminated your blushing??

My main concern is to become cool, calm, and collected in every given situation and as of now the only thing thats stopping me from being that is the fact that I blush. Because once I start blushing, I think about it and thats what makes me get even redder and blotchier. And its really embarrasing and its killing my self-esteem.

I realize that once I conquer my SA then the blushing will cease (obviously because its merely a symptom, reaction of my SA) but is there a way to cease the blushing now maybe with beta blockers? because I think that in turn will allow me to get a grip on my SA. :oops:

By the way, I am seeing a psychiatrist next week.
 
jayo

jayo

Well-known member
Hi

It's good that you're seeing a psychiatrist next week.

He should recommend medication and maybe Cogintive Behaviour Therapy as a way forward.

My advice is to accept yourself today as who you are - this means that you shouldn't hold onto that idealised view of yourself as a 10 year old but that you should look forward maybe one year and set goals for yourself of getting past SA and moving on with the rest of your life.

Good luck!
 
redneck

redneck

Well-known member
There are days I feel I am able to cope with social interactions quite easily but most of my time I feel really hopeless and down. The more depressed I am the more Social anxious I become.In my case, success give me confidence and increase my self esteem( It happened when I passed my exams for example, unfortunately it did not have lasting effect) but I am not so successful at the moment. The last 3 years of my life were really tough for me.I stucked in a rut,I hate my job ( physical shift work, although I have university degree), I hate that town where I live and people I met drag me down ( bullies). I am just 27 but I have already lost quite a lot of my hair due to constant stress, pressure and I am going grey as well.
I have lately read for a second time a book Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness by Gillian Butler which was such a fantastic read. It gives hope. It is based on cognitive behavioral therapy. When you read this stuff you start to believe it is possible to combat that disease. I only need person ( successful therapist with proven record of recovered SA sufferers) to help me to put all that stuff into action...
 
M

MelissaQu

Well-known member
Re: Hi

jayo said:
It's good that you're seeing a psychiatrist next week.

He should recommend medication and maybe Cogintive Behaviour Therapy as a way forward.

My advice is to accept yourself today as who you are - this means that you shouldn't hold onto that idealised view of yourself as a 10 year old but that you should look forward maybe one year and set goals for yourself of getting past SA and moving on with the rest of your life.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

I second that!

I personally have used SSRIs and they did help, although I'm no longer taking them because I feel a little more in control. The blushing thing has gotten me down so many times. I've taken a different approach. To just let it happen if it's going to happen. If you say, "no not now don't blush," you'll blush. Instead, say, "It's ok, happen." And you'll probably blush less, or not at all. CBT is good too, that you can work with your therapist on. I've never tried Beta Blockers though.

Good luck :)
 
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