Managing social anxiety

[Libra25]

Can anyone here give me some suggestions about how to deal with and face social situations with this condition?

[FightingTheDark]

All that has worked for me is going out in short blocks of time. Also early in the morning when less people are around.

[Rufus07 in reply to FightingTheDark]

This has helped me to. As of a while ago I am able to go to the grocery. I had to go sit in the parking lot at various times of the day to see when it was the slowest. I know where everything is so I can get in and out pretty quickly. Other than that and doctors appointments, I don’t leave the house

[glpike]

I find that I must force myself to engage with others as isolation is not the answer. After, each time, I reflect on how well it went. It is not easy. Keep trying.

[Rufus07 in reply to glpike]

I know isolation isn’t the answer, buts it’s my go to. I feel safe in my bedroom and my house in general. I too must force myself to engage with others. It usually doesn’t work. I have no desire to be with others.

[glpike in reply to Rufus07]

I understand. Do you live in the U.S.? I live in Equador originally from the U.S. and left 7 years ago for the same issue, plus economics. People here are much less opinionated and easier to socialize with. I still push to socialize, but it's easier. The answer for me was was finding a therapist who will share their past obstacles and how they overcame them. I have a great therapist here. Dr. Scott Eilers on Utube understands this and his videos are very helpful.

[Rufus07 in reply to glpike]

I’m glad you find it easier in Equador. I am in the US and I agree that people are very opinionated here.

[designguy]

I have recovered from social anxiety and my suggestion is to find a therapist that specializes in treating SA and work with them, they may use group and exposure therapy as part of the process. If there isn't one near you, you might check out Sebastiaan at social-anxiety-solutions.com, he has some very good info and even an online program available and also good youtube videos. There are also other online SA programs available and good info on youtube about treating/healing SA. The more you educate yourself about it will help your healing. Basically your perception of how people percieve you and how you perceive them is flawed. You think people are focusing on you and judging you when in reality they are too caught up in their own lives to pay little if any attention to you. The other thing is that you are probably suffering from low-self-worth which is common with social anxiety. There is a lot of good info on youtube about how to heal that for yourself and reclaim the ability to validate yourself which helps heal your SA.

[Rufus07 in reply to designguy]

I’m going to look into your suggestions

[designguy in reply to Rufus07]

Great, I hope you find them helpful.

[Vonus5591 in reply to designguy]

thanks x

[designguy in reply to Vonus5591]

You're welcome.