I have social anxiety.... AND I'M AN ACTRESS!!!

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MissUnderstood

Member
It's outrageous when you think about it. I display many of the symptoms of social anxiety; however, on Wednesday I'll be in a staged reading (which is simply a reading of the play by actors/actresses). Considering all the problems I've had over the past 10 years or so its unbelievable. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was afraid to walk into class because I was so self-conscious. It's amazing how far I've come, and how far all of us suffering from these problems can go.

Now, don't get me wrong... there is a part of me that wants to get upset. To worry endlessly about not only my stage performance, but also about my social performance. In the film and theater industry, as in most aspects of life, relationships are crucial. And over the last year especially, I feel I've had a hard time not only establishing relationships, but also maintaining them. And as the saying goes, "Wherever you go, there you are". So my social problems have followed me to this new opportunity, to this new theater.

So what do I do with this realization? What do I do with the worry? The anxiety? What do I do with fear that they'll think I'm weird, neurotic, crazy?

I do absolutely nothing, except REFUSE and CHOOSE. With the help of medication I've been able to get some control over my anxiety, and at times I'm able to will myself from getting anxious. And this is what i"m doing. Tell myself, "I refuse to go there, to get anxious. And I CHOOSE to enjoy this opportunity."

I choose to be friendly, approachable, and to use my positive affirmations (which are often very helpful). I choose to LIVE.

Best wishes to you all, and a happy holiday!!!

MissUnderstood
 
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Earthcircle

Well-known member
I have social phobia and I'm a professor. (I'm currently between jobs, but it looks like I'm getting back into it.) I wonder how many people with social phobia actually have jobs that involve speaking before groups of people. Looking on the positive side, the anxiety serves a function: it keeps one alert while performing. You may know that Bette Davis rejected psychoanalysis after only two sessions, figuring that her eccentricities actually made her a better performer. I don't know if that helps or not.
 
Odo

Odo

Banned
I was teaching up until August.

I think it's kind of similar to acting because you're not really being yourself, you're putting on a persona that you know the kids will respond to. With acting you're not really showing yourself, you're showing a character... and after you practice a while it becomes physical and you can just switch off the 'you' and get completely into character.
 
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laure15

Well-known member
It looks like there's quite a bit of people here in social professions. I think these people develop 2 personalities - one they show the world, and the other they reveal at home.
 
Klonoa

Klonoa

Well-known member
Hello!

Well, as someone who had to act in plays before...

Well, good thing you have acces to medications, but still, I think you may want to act without relaying on it, right? I think that's what you're getting act? I believe acting is something you don't have to... pretend, despite that being the definition, but something to feel, to find your inner Large Ham, your flair for the dramatic! To not pretend to be the character, but feel and be it!

Of course, what the hell am I saying, I was an amateur boy in kids plays, you must be a pro... But that's my 2 cents on the matter. =)
 
coyote

coyote

Well-known member
that's how i've managed to get through life the last 40 years or so - maybe because i learned how much easier (and safer) it was playing a role rather than being myself when i started doing theatre when i was 10 or so

working in management, sales, and communications all my life, going to school, simply being in public in front of strangers.... it's basically all just playing a character - performing 'on stage' in front of everyone

strangers become easy to be around - they're just the audience. as long as they stay in the footlights, they don't have to know the real you behind the mask

it takes a lot of energy and can be very exhausting - but it is worth the applause

the bad part is that the closer you get to people, the harder it becomes - your family knows who you really are, the woman you impressed enough to marry you soon learns all there is to know about you, and it becomes increasingly difficult to make any real friends

when you're in front of them, there's no script, no costume, no makeup or flattering lights - you're raw, naked, and alone, and it feels like they can see right through you...

so the people closest to you become the people you tend to hide from the most

or worse, you don't become close to anyone at all
 
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coyote

coyote

Well-known member
sorry, seems like discussion has taken a slightly different turn from the original post

congratulations, MissUnderstood - it's great to hear how well things are going for you! :thumbup:
 
LazyHermitCrab

LazyHermitCrab

Well-known member
hi that's cool you're an actress! I think it's not unheard with sa because when you're acting you are told what to say and how to act so it's different lol.
 
theoutsider

theoutsider

Well-known member
I've always heard that being on stage can actually help those with SA. I guess getting into character and becoming someone else in front of a crowd can be therapeutic for some.
 
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