I isolated myself also.. maybe my relating will help a little....
My SP resurfaced after a drama relationship I had last december. It hit me full force this time, neck tension so bad I had to quit my job. I felt so helpless. Thankfully I have supportive loving family & haven't moved out yet. But I had started isolating myself from them too. I had also become dependent on liquor almost daily/everyother day for almost a year now.
But I decided to turn that around bc I could feel how my body was being affected. So just last week I quit drinking. I practiced what I read about 'acceptance' of your anxiety, learning to embrace it & love it & yourself. I also decided to mix up my routine.. rather than isolating myself studying in my room for college & playing on the computer...... I cleaned my room, car, & started spending more time with family. And while I was doing that I worked on putting the acceptance approach in to action. Wasn't easy, but after a week I've noticed huge improvement.
I wasn't treating myself enough either. I had been cooping myself up in my room studying day after day, going insane alone & feeling helpless. But what helps in those moments is after doing something difficult for you that stresses you out, workout (before or after) go outside to jog instead of inside, take a bubble bath.. anything relaxing but different from routine.
After practicing the acceptance theory.......
Instead of waking up thinking that I don't want to face another day of anxiety, I am excited about my day & have much more peace.
http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/postt12834.html
I think this site talks about accepting it some. I'm starting to see each day as an accomplishment that I'm proud of. Even my most difficult situations where lets say I run into an old friend & get nervous.. once its over I just tell myself I'm proud of myself.
If you don't have anyone you are close to or that you can call up just to talk to, if you are religious than you will always have God. If you aren't you can skip this part however forgiveness of others & yourself will help clear your conscious... if you are religious this can be of great help. But that is part of what helped me to quit drinking & start this process. I have read some scriptures about anxiety & having faith in God to help me out. Here is a good site, that I read:
http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/Topics/AnxietyOA/OA00/OAOverview.html
depends on what you believe in..... but in my case knowing that Jesus died for my sins & all sins are forgiven through him..... you just have to say a prayer to yourself asking forgiveness of your sins & list them if you want. Then say that you forgive others for anything they have done to you. If you want, talk to anyone that is waying on your mind. If you want to tell someone sorry....... for me it would be my dad that I feel I need to talk to bc I've been rude to him over the years for certian reasons.. & I would feel happier to have a short talk with him, apologizing for what I've done & telling him he is a great dad. Then treating him w more respect. If you can't do that a simple prayer makes wonders. You may feel embarrassed around those ppl.... but at least in your heart you know that through God made it possible that we can be forgiven & clear our conscious.
Best regards
