Social Anxiety

[TLO]

Anyone ever have issues with social anxiety before?

I've noticed myself being uncomfortable with large crowds of people as far back as 3rd or 4th grade. Recently though, I'm noticing it around people all together. Yesterday we had a medium size group for Easter dinner, mostly family, and I didn't really talk to anyone. Sometimes I have difficulty going to class because I'm afraid I'll be judged, or God forbid the professor puts us into a small group to do an activity.

Any thoughts or opinions are welcome.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

Have suffered with social anxiety since high school. Ironically I think I am naturally quite chatty when I dont feel anxious. Around the right people im almost the loudest in the group. I got professional help, which really changed my life to be honest. I would highly recommend doing so.

This was me through high school. I was a great converstionalist on small groups or one-on-one, but I hated making small talk in large group settings. I've since gotten to where I feel like I'm able to be myself in large group settings as well, though I usually talk to small groups or one on one indepth rather than floating around and making small talk with everyone.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by NewChief

This was me through high school. I was a great converstionalist on small groups or one-on-one, but I hated making small talk in large group settings. I've since gotten to where I feel like I'm able to be myself in large group settings as well, though I usually talk to small groups or one on one indepth rather than floating around and making small talk with everyone.

Good on ya dude! I seem to think that nothing helps quite like repetition. The more you do it, the more you feel comfortable doing it. It always helps to have strategies to deal with episodes though, which is why I think it is important to seek professional help.

[Iconic]

Don't say you have SA, your just putting yourself in a box. I used to be like this until I confronted it. Talk to random people; smile and just say hi, you'd be surprised with the results... in fact this is how I got my first GF when I was 17.

[BWillie]

Wow I didn't know so many ppl had some of these social anxiety feelings. I'm probably more introverted than extroverted, but I had quite a bit of social anxiety up until college. I think it stemmed from grade school stuttering problems, which just maybe made me not want to talk much.

Nowadays, I don't have as much of a problem with it except in certain situations where I feel like I really need to "impress" someone AND I'm in unfamiliar territory. If I'm somewhere I'm comfortable with, with people I'm comfortable with, or without them, I'm very personable and have little to no social anxiety. It really is situational with me. Most of the time I'm talking to new people with ease at new events anywhere and everywhere and joking around. Just depends.

Honestly, alcohol goes a long way. Don't need to get shitfaced, just have a few, and you'll feel way better. That is one of the reasons why everybody loves alcohol in social situations, it's life's ice breaker. I don't really see what use pot would help, it would just make me sit in one place and be paranoid. Doesn't work at all for that kind of anxiety with me.

[Hammock Parties]

Just remember that it's OK to be an introvert.

[ThaVirus]

I used to be shy when I was a kid but I wouldn't go so far as to say I had social anxiety. I just would usually rather listen than speak.

Then I turned 18 and became a stud; now I don't ever shut the **** up.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

I tend not to like loud, chaotic scenes. Because of that I hate concerts, but don't mind sports, as there is a sense of order to the chaos. Smaller scale versions of such things get me antsy: For example, I hate waiting in line at a busy place during a rush--like a Chipotle. It makes me viscerally uncomfortable.

Still, I speak in front of people every day with great ease.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I tend not to like loud, chaotic scenes. Because of that I hate concerts, but don't mind sports, as there is a sense of order to the chaos. \

People look at me like I'm an alien when I tell them I hate live music.

I'd rather listen at home and truly appreciate the music.

The exception is going to the symphony. You know, where people SHUT THE **** UP.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Douche Baggins

Just remember that it's OK to be an introvert.

I think this is key, for me anyway. I have this perecption that I need to be this outgoing person, out partying all the time, etc.

I'm happy with my introverted ways 99% of the time. But when I do go out, I don't want to be crippled by irrational fear.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

I think this is key, for me anyway. I have this perecption that I need to be this outgoing person, out partying all the time, etc.

There's a very stupid perception in society that you're a lesser person if you're not that way.

[tecumseh]

For me, it was pot. When I was a teenager it wasn't much of a deal. But as I got into my thirties, I began to have panic or anxiety attacks. Which is not good if you have to make presentations to groups of various sizes. I enjoyed pot. However, I knew it was the cause and I gave it up in 07'. It took about six months before I didn't feel anxious or flushed speaking in groups. Believe in yourself and battle through it. Things will improve.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

I think this is key, for me anyway. I have this perecption that I need to be this outgoing person, out partying all the time, etc.

I'm happy with my introverted ways 99% of the time. But when I do go out, I don't want to be crippled by irrational fear.

This is very important to remember.

I had a small bout with anxiety, and it helped me a great deal to examine the fear response itself.

Evolutionarily speaking, having a healthy fear of things and good fear response was pretty important in the event that you rolled out of the cave and heard a saber-toothed tiger nearby. That was rational fear.

And fear has stuck around. Today, for a lot of people, fear manifests itself in circumstances that have no rational basis.

Whenever I found myself getting anxious about strange things like talking over the phone, I found it very helpful to consciously acknowledge the fact the fear I was experiencing was irrational.

After a short time I was able to begin to harness the vagal fear response and sort of just turn it into mild excitement instead.

Whenever the fear strikes you, you can do little things like straighten your back and widen your stance to trick your body into feeling more empowered.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

It isn't an easy thing to get over. The more social situations you get involved in, the better it will get though. Join a gym, say hi to a random person at the grocery store, meditate. Stop watching porn if you do. Withhold masturbation. You will be surprised by the results.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by PGM

It isn't an easy thing to get over. The more social situations you get involved in, the better it will get though. Join a gym, say hi to a random person at the grocery store, meditate. Stop watching porn if you do. Withhold masturbation. You will be surprised by the results.

The ****, Peej!?

Why would you ever tell a many not to flog the dolphin? He needs to release the demons!

[SPATCH]

Ahhh the old masturbation debate. A polarizing topic.

Like a lot of things, the best course of action is probably healthy moderation.