I dont know what to do....

[PyschoStoner]

Ive been dealing with anxiety as long as I can remeber. It makes me over emotional. Awkward in social situations. Depressed and it kills my motivation. Idk how to cope. Anytime a thought runs through my head about what people think about me or a bad memory from the past I instantly feel depressed and anxious. Has anyone figured out how to cope with these feelings and live with them problem free? Its starting to effect my relationship with my friends and family. I want to turn this around and finally be in control but dont even begin to know how to go about it or what the first step is. Am I gonna feel like this forever?? Please help.....

[Agora1]

Hi PyschoStoner, Welcome to the Anxiety Forum... Let me first tell you that you are not going to live like this forever..You already took the first step by joining this group. We have men and women of all ages and professions going through the same anxiety issues as you. As you join in on the conversations, you will get to know others who like yourself seem stuck and need to go forward. Social Anxiety can be reversed. I'm sure others will respond to your post who are going through the same thing socially.

Keep positive. We will get you through this. Take care.

[Kainan]

Hi. Anxiety can be really hard to deal with. It makes me overly emotional and awkward in social situations too. One thing that helps me tame those automatic negative thoughts is to forcefully bring my attention back into the room, thereby being allowing me to recognize that nothing bad is actually happening and that my mind is the one feeding me all those lies and tricking me into believing in them. Deep breathing helps tremendously. A slow and controlled inhale through the nose, hold, then exhale through the mouth. Hope that helps

[Agora1 in reply to Kainan]

Great advice Kainan_li. Living in the present moment and my favorite, deep breathing. Oh I so wish I would had listened to my therapist years ago regarding deep breathing being a quick calming method for anxiety. I didn't think something so simple could turn our thoughts and physical symptoms around. You've got the "key" in the answer to anxiety. My best, Agora