Social Anxiety- Anyone Relate?

[SDSorority]

Does anyone else have Social Anxiety in new situations? I am going to a conference by myself Thursday through Saturday and I'm nervous!!! I won't know anybody and I've never been to the location that the conference is. (it's in town thank goodness- no alone overnight stays)

Does anyone else have Social Anxiety? What do you do to calm your nerves?

TIA

 

[CathrynRose]

Not social anxiety, no - just your standard everyday 'general' anxiety.

I had read that Beta Blockers help immensely with social anxiety (what can I say? I am a "Dr" with a Google degree)

I wish I had some advice. Of all the things that make me 'panic' this isn't even on the list. I could make a speech in front of 1000's with no problem.

Isn't it funny how different things bother different people?

 

[SpecialK]

I can relate, but I don't know what to tell you. I have found that most people in those situations will jump at the chance to converse with someone. Odds are you won't be the only one at the conference who's nervous.

 

[SDSorority]

Not social anxiety, no - just your standard everyday 'general' anxiety.

I had read that Beta Blockers help immensely with social anxiety (what can I say? I am a "Dr" with a Google degree)

I wish I had some advice. Of all the things that make me 'panic' this isn't even on the list. I could make a speech in front of 1000's with no problem.

Isn't it funny how different things bother different people?

Crazy how the mind works!

 

[CathrynRose]

Crazy how the mind works!

It really is.

And out of curiosity - with your social anxiety - do you almost feel "split in half"? Do you have the 'sane' side telling you - calm down, you're okay, just relax. And the 'not so sane' side - freaking out?

I'm always wondering if everyone has the one side trying to talk them down, like I do.

I know for my anxiety/panic - I read (again, Dr. Cat - degree from Google) that taking deep breaths, that the OUT breath is longer than the in breath, forces your body to relax. Try it a few times, and see if you can tell a difference. **hugs**

Anxiety sucks.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I have HORRIBLE social anxiety. I have been to SIX counselors/doctors and taken 2 different kinds of medication. It just keeps getting worse and worse as I get older.

I don't want to say that I can't go anywhere unless I have a friend with me, because I can go out alone. But my heart races the whole time...I usually talk to myself as well; can't tell you what I say, though. And all I can think about is getting out and going home. I don't have any issues when I'm out with DBF or my mother. They're my "buffer zone"

I can't answer the phone. My uncles call...nope, I let it ring. I've returned to school and I can't speak up in class. One of my teachers called on me in one of the first classes...while I knew the answer, I felt like everyone was staring at me and when she moved on to the next question (and student), I had a full-blown panic attack. All I could see in my head was everyone turned and staring at me. As far as going to class...even though it's the end of the semester and I pretty much "know" everyone in the class, I still have to go early and get there first. I can't walk into a room full of people. That's an issue at work...I skip a lot of meetings because of that.

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice. But you're not alone!

 

[KimR]

I can relate. I suffer from generalized anxiety (at least I think that's what it is as I've not been formally diagnosed) as well as social anxiety. I actually think that social anxiety is easier to deal with because I KNOW what is causing my anxiety and I can get a grip on it - even if it means removing myself from the situation, which I often do. Having an escape plan helps and I also sometimes just 'zone out' mentally. Do you do this? I find that many of us with this type of anxiety do so as a coping mechanism. Alcohol and medication can help as well, although I imagine you don't want to be downing tequila shots at a work conference.

 

[Acklander]

I don't have a problem with social anxiety, but having to go to a place I've never been before ALWAYS sets me into a panic. I get lost so easily

 

[KimR]

It really is.

And out of curiosity - with your social anxiety - do you almost feel "split in half"? Do you have the 'sane' side telling you - calm down, you're okay, just relax. And the 'not so sane' side - freaking out?

I'm always wondering if everyone has the one side trying to talk them down, like I do.

I know for my anxiety/panic - I read (again, Dr. Cat - degree from Google) that taking deep breaths, that the OUT breath is longer than the in breath, forces your body to relax. Try it a few times, and see if you can tell a difference. **hugs**

Anxiety sucks.

WIth my general anxiety yes. I know that my anxiety has no basis in reality and I try to tell myself to think rationally, but it never works. The only thing that works for me is time along with xanax sometimes to help it along. Now, my social anxiety is completely different. There IS no sane or rational part of me when it comes to that. I can't tell myself that I'm perfectly fine and there is no reason for me to be anxious because that's just not true.

Nevertheless, like I mentioned before, the social anxiety is easier for me to deal with. Maybe it's because I've had it my entire life so I'm used to coping with it. Also, paradoxically, I think that I can cope with it better because it is so real. I mean, how do you cope with an anxiety that that has no basis in reality? I can't really DO anything about it because there is nothing concrete that is making me so freaked out. Whereas, with my social anxiety, I can zone out, I can physcially GET out, I can find a quiet spot, etc. Also, with social anxiety, once the situation that is making me anxious is resolved, I'm fine, whereas general anxiety can last hours, or days, or even a week or longer. Nothing to do but deal until it's gone.

But you are right. Anxiety - in all its shapes and forms - sucks.