Social anxiety, fear of social situations for the last few years, I used to love these interactions!

[TT225]

Hi all,

I don't know if this is the right way to go about this but it's my first post, here goes!

Over the last few years I have become burdened with horrible feelings and reactions to social situations, that have ruined many opportunities and events that I should have enjoyed.

From the pumping heartbeat and wavering voice when introducing myself in team building situations, to finding my smile wiped out for no apparent reason talking with groups of friends, replaced with an inability to look people in the eye incase they see the mess I've just become.

And then, as quickly as it has arrived and ruined my day, it subsides and I can be myself again until the next wave, minutes or hours later.

What is going on and what can I do?

Thanks everyone.

[Agora1]

Hi TT225, Welcome! Since this has started only more recently, I might think that

somewhere along the way you lost confidence and self esteem in yourself.

Because it comes on quickly but yet subsides just as fast, I would tend to relate that to a free floating anxiety. I use to have that years ago. Like waves of adrenaline would hit me for a while and then with some deep breathing, I was able to make that feeling subside.

It could be your anxiety revs up when you are with a group of people or even one on one.

Doubting yourself as to what you will say to the point of not being able to look them in the eye. We are not therapists and can only go by our own experiences. I would suggest talking with a professional so that this issue doesn't drag on any longer. I wish you well and glad

that you are here with us. xx

[TT225 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you very much for the kind welcome and even kinder words, I will pursue the professional route once the world calms down a little, I had tried talking to a councillor around a year ago but I found it very short term relief, before I knew it I was right back to square one.

I have recently started deep breathing when I feel anxiety boiling over and it seems to help in a big way, disguising it's onset and dealing with it in a work environment is the main challenge!

No-one has asked if there's anything wrong, or suspected anything that I can tell, I might be better at hiding the symptoms than I give myself credit.

I do think perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind to let any help in beforehand so maybe now will be different.

I'm so glad I finally reached out and admitted my feelings on here though, I feel that's a step in the right direction!

Thanks again, I'll update as I go.

Kind regards

TT

[jonghee]

I know that the medication route isn't for everyone but lexapro changed my life. Those physiological fight or flight syndromes went away. The feeling of detachment from the bodly went away. There are certain physiological factors that therapy and self help can't fix. But if you don't want to go the psych med route, propalonol supposedly helps with performance anxiety. It's a beta blocker. Good luck and stay safe.

[TT225 in reply to jonghee]

Thank you very much for the advice there jonghee, I have tried propalonol that my fiancee was prescribed after a car accident (she's fine now) and found them very hit and miss, some days I would take them and feel perfect and others they would have no effect/make me worse!

I will try the therapy route one more time and take it from there, I wouldn't mind at least trying the likes of lexapro to see if I can feel a difference, I'm at a stage in my life I need to be at my best and I'm fed up of all this holding me back!

Thanks again, I'll update as and when I've took a step forward, in the meantime all the very best and stay safe.

Kind regards,

TT

[jonghee in reply to TT225]

Glad to help. Let me know anytime you have questions about social anxiety. I went from shy and lonely nerd in high school to the guy at work who couldn't keep his mouth shut. 10 years and counting. Good luck!!