I have overcome SA

[aussie135]

I haven't yet but I just wanted to get your attention. Now this is what I wanted to say. I don't want to sound like an arsehole cos' I just want to help but for gods sake people there are all these negative posts like "are u scared of vending machines" and bullshit like that when SA can be beaten. Get off your bloody arses and to a psychologist. 75% of people can be ridden of SA through CBT and 50% through medication. It is not fucking genetic and you can beat it so stop whinging and get out there and do it. You may think its hard but what would you rather, 12 weeks of anxiety and the rest of your life anxiety free, or, sitting on your comp all day feeling sorry for yourself and never getting rid of anxiety? Your choice.

If you are too scared to go to a psychlogist straight up, find your nearest GP, punch your anxiety in the nuts and call him, make an appointment, get some anxiety relief medication, take that for a week and then go see your psychologist.

Come on people. It doesn't matter how long you've had it for you can always get rid of it.

Check out this site if you have any second thoughts: http://www.socialanxiety.co.uk have a read around and read the statistics in the free downloads section. Best site on the net. READ IT. It gave me a lot of hope. Thanks for reading.

 

[FreedomFighter]

great post , i agree , id rather go through 12 weeks of suffering and be free of my anxiety , that have to suffer this for life , thats a scary thought , im going to enjoy christmas with my family , then 2009 , ill start my revolution , peace , Robbie

 

[madmike]

agree wholeheartedly with the post, but... you're a wanker (about the title lol)

It would be a really hellish 12 weeks though... and who's to say it will be beaten then. Just tring to be realistic!

 

[Slothrop]

I wouldn't characterize therapy as 12 weeks of suffering and then freedom, but I agree with the sentiment. It all depends on how hard you're willing to work, how self-aware you are, and your life circumstances. The more you put in, the more you get out.

There's no "suffering" involved. Getting over anxiety is all about gradually expanding your comfort zone, and CBT is all about helping you change your patterns of thinking to enable you to do that. It's not about forcing you into uncomfortable situations.

Making an appointment might be hard, but I doubt there is anybody capable of making a post on this site that is completely incapable of handling that if you really make an effort, and if there is anybody in your life that you can talk to about your problem, it's not unreasonable to ask them to do it for you. It's more important that it get done than that you yourself do it. Not being able to make the call does not mean you'll never be able to. Showing up the first time is the same way; it might be hard, but you can have pretty terrible SA and still be able to show up at a certain time and state your name, and you can always ask someone to go with you. The hardest part by far is deciding to do it.

The longer you put it off, the more your imagination runs wild with the idea that your whole life will change overnight. It won't. You'll still be you, just different. Realizing that you can change is a profound thing, though. I was only in therapy for a few months several years ago, and while not "cured" by any stretch, that change in mindset alone has enabled me to make a lot of positive changes in my life, and kept me from sinking back into my old ways.

You may think as I did for years that you're going to work it all out on your own and that you don't need to see a therapist, but that's kind of a convenient lie. You don't need to use a shovel to dig a hole, but why wouldn't you? Seeing a doctor or therapist is just using the best tool for the job. It's still your responsibility and you're still the one doing the work.

 

[Sacrament]

I wouldn't mind going to a therapist at all, if it wasn't so damn expensive. I actually did go to therapy when I was at my lowest point (taken by my parents), but the therapist was an idiot. I did my part, and she didn't do hers, so I quit. Plus, it was so expensive that I didn't want to be any more of a 'burden' (heavy word in this case, but anyway) to my parents.

 

[yohannes]

yeah I signed up for Group CBT it has been almost 10 weeks. It was and still is very interesting. I wouldn't say that i have bitten my SA, but it certainly has help me a lot. It can be hard for a couple of week ,since that your in a group, but after a while it get kind of easier. we usually do group exposure together and they give us exposure to do for home work. My goal was going up to strangers and starting a conversation. That was kind of weird, but I did it. It kind of gotten easier as the weeks pile up. Like anything CBT require you to be consistent if you are, you will bit your SA.

CBT can get rid of your SA, but I don't think it will be done in 12 weeks not for me anyway. I had my SA for like 10 years now it will take more time, but when you think about it is worth it. Why live your like in anxiety if you can get rid of it in a couple of years.