Best therapy for social phobia/social anxiety?

Question

I have social phobia and it is a big problem so I am trying to ease the anxiety, what do you think is the best therapy/treatment?

Answer 1

It's like swimming. I used to be hydrophobic. The solution? I immersed myself in water, slowly, slowly, until now I can swim!  Kind of! I like the swimming analogy b/c you know swimming seems scary and impossible at first, like if you try you're going to drown? Well try it and you find...well you don't drown. People are your water. They hold you up, they need you and you need them--but only if you just relax and let yourself be held by the water, float in it, don't fight it. So it is with people. People are wonderful supports--they hold you and you hold them. The only keys are trust in this wonderful natural buoyancy of human interaction and practice.

I suggest  you set small, concrete goals every day like "Well, let's see I'm going to ask just one little question in class today" or "You know what, I'm going to talk to that new girl, even if I embarass myself or stutter she's not going to judge me b/c, well, she doesn't know me!"

Answer 2

i do too!

and it is tearing apart my life.

i just entered high school.

it is horrible and i hate it. more than anything.

i can barley function.

i hope you get a good answer.

Answer 3

There are a couple that come to mind.  One is systematic desensitization that David describes very well in his post.  It requires some self control, commitment and the ability to calm yourself when stressed.  Repeated exposure to the stressful situation slowly teaches the person they are safe and thus no longer need to 'fight or flight'.  Military training is very similar.

The second is EMDR which helps resolve past traumas and instill healthier self concepts.  It links positive, safe feelings with the imagined negative experience to the point it no longer seems a threat.  EMDR is an excellent therapy when done with a qualified clinician.