Going downhill, need help

[anonyuser]

I am growing increasingly worried about my social anxiety. I have always felt like I experienced significantly more anxiety than the normal person in social situations, but I have always kept it under control.

I am now a grad student in counseling psych, and classes are now much different than they were when I was an udergrad. They are much smaller more interactive, which means that you are put on the spot alot during a single class session.

The problem is that when I am put on the spot I cannot think about anything except the anxiety. This is really starting to affect my school work and class attendance in a very negative way. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

[RedFacedBandit]

try to make yourself have a panic attack, and it will have the opposite effect. it works for me.

 

[Richey]

You are not alone, i am at University and have the same problem as you. Our class is full of very ego driven and outgoing people so i find it very difficult to fit in.
I am struggling in class and find paying attention difficult because i focus on the anxiety and can't seem to break free of it.

My advice is speak up as often as possible. I am always put on the spot as is every student by the teacher. I expect that it will come at anytime in each class. Normally if i dont know the answer to the question i just say "I have no idea", so the attention is immediately directed at someone else.

Good luck

 

[allanboy]

Dont know about you, but you have to be macho to do that. I couldnt myself.

 

[verylonely]

Hasn't anything in counseling psych helped you to deal with anxiety?

 

[Shyguest]

Hi,

Do you this cbt is all that effective? I'm sure all of us have the intelligence to try and approach things as smaller tasks anyway without having been told to do things in small steps and then the anxiety will go away.

 

[Siberdib]

I get the same problem as you, my classes are smaller now about 10 in each class. I get really nervous as every week for 1 of the classes I have to do a presentation for about 5 mins..... I manage to hide my anxiety by making sure to speak slowly and make a point of looking people in the eye. I hate doing this but in doing so I feel better that I managed to.
I hate it at the end though as I have to answer questions on the topic, but as im constantly anxiety ridden while in front of everyone I get soooo nervous. I seem to pass it off though, im gettin better. (slowly)
Like Richey said "speak up as often as possible" it could help you feel better about yourself. In class I always try and answer questions when the class begins, in doing so I hardly seem to get picked on later to answer any of the questions.

 

[Shyguest]

Hi,

Do you worry the night prior to having to speak up in class?

 

[MarCPatt]

anonyuser you need to get help. You are studying to be a psychologists and are not getting help yourself? In order for you to be able to help others in the future you need to find help for yourself first. To me, it seems that you do not believe in psychologists or are afraid to be a patient. It would be great if you found a cure for your problem, that way you will be a lot more qualified, much more than anyone who only reads about this condition in books, from your personal experiences. :idea: