How do I get over my social anxiety, when I've been like this my whole life?!
Question: How do I get over my social anxiety, when I've been like this my whole life!?
I've been diagnosed by several psychiatrists that I have Social Anxiety Disorder otherwise known as Social Phobia!. I have it most of my life, but lately it has just seemed to have gotten worse!. Work is almost unbearable, although I've been working at this place for a year now!. I don't talk to most of my employees nor do they talk to me!. My voice is low, and a lot of times people can't hear what I say!. I also realized that I have lost my emotions, I don't feel anymore!.!. At work people tell jokes everyone laughs, I do one of those fake chuckles!. I fake smile constantly!.!. I have no emotions, is that considered depression!? It's not only at work that I have no emotions, it's everywhere!.!. The only people I feel like I have some emotions is with my close family!. Also I have a hard time making eye contact with people!.!. It's like when people try to talk to me, my mind go's blank and I feel extremely nervous!. I think might be paranoid as well or maybe it's just social anxiety, because my number one pet peeve is being stared at, I can't stand it, yet it seems everyone stares at everyone, thus I a lot of times don't look at people in the eyes!. I have no insurance and I can't afford a psychiatrist without that, so no medication for me!. Although, I have always wondered about natural herbal medications for anxiety!.!. Anyways does anyone know what I could do to stop being so anxious and paranoid!? And does herbal anxiety medications work!? Thanks!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Wow you sound just like me, I hate making eye contact with people to I find it extremely awkward, and ever since I started being quiet in school, i lost almost all my friends (i still have some left though) and i know exactly what you mean when you say you have no emotion left!. Funny how a came across this question because it sounds like I'm typing it!. Sometimes what I do is, just say Hi to people i know for the heck of it, and they will respond and you will feel proud i guess!. Also have a goal to make conversation with at least 3 people at work!. So Everyday you will have a conversation with atleast 3 people, this will get you more known, as for the eye contact look at them for like three seconds and you can look away and look back!. (thats what i do) I know this is hard, but try to be more laid back and confident :) Www@Answer-Health@Com
Are you able to put aside and start saving for a trip to the psych!? Sounds like this stuff is really impacting your life!. Other than that, are there any free counselling services near you!? Try googling for support groups or something, they can help a lot!.
Also, when you have anxious thoughts, try challenging them!. When you begin to overanalyze, try taking a step back and looking at it from a 3rd person perspective, sometimes it can help a lot!.
Also, set aside some relax time for yourself each day!. Have a warm bath!.Try meditating, it can take a while to learn how to do it right, but once you do it can really help!.
As for herbal anxiety medications, it really depends on the person!. For some people they work well, for others no so much!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Also, when you have anxious thoughts, try challenging them!. When you begin to overanalyze, try taking a step back and looking at it from a 3rd person perspective, sometimes it can help a lot!.
Also, set aside some relax time for yourself each day!. Have a warm bath!.Try meditating, it can take a while to learn how to do it right, but once you do it can really help!.
As for herbal anxiety medications, it really depends on the person!. For some people they work well, for others no so much!. Www@Answer-Health@Com