How can I stop my bad social anxiety?

Question

I have developed a bad social anxiety disorder, where I try and avoid people, get very anxious before going out anywhere......I build my self up into such a state that I get this lightheaded feeling and feel stressed out, buzzing and nervous. I don't know what to do. It stems from this real bad loathing of my image and the way I look. Even when realtives say I'm an OK looking guy....I get convinced I'm very young boyish looking...no-one will take me seriously and I'm laughed at and ridiculed....and feel fear of what people might think of me when I go out. It's effecting my health and I just can't stop the anxiety before going into a social environment. I know it is pathetic....but it's effecing my life and stopping me from enjoying stuff.

Answer 1

Your symptoms match a lot of those found with Depression. It is not a stigma to be ashamed off. Your GP may be best to help you. In my experience seek alternate advise before taking any form of anti depressant. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help.

visit www.sane.org

Answer 2

I would say I am somewhat in the same boat as you are.  Its from worrying too much what other people think about you.  Thing is no matter who you are or what you are people will always find something to say about u whether its positive or negative, you just got to develop the balls to deal with the negative.  OK its probably not what you want to hear, but its the truth unfortunately.  I still suffer some social anxiety, but I realised that if you dont deal with what is making you anxious you end up kicking yourself when you don't deal with the situation and get upset.  

I taught myself this: 1) Accept what people think of me (good or bad) 2), If a situation warrants it (for example someone is being sarcastic or patronising with me) then I will respond to them with a remark of some kind and that usually sorts them out. 3) If people are being a******s to you then to h**l with them - they dont need you and you dont need them (simple)

I think you need to learn to be more assertive with yourself,,,yeah I know what you are thinking...its easier said than done,,but you have to take the first steps if you want to make some progress...there are probably assertiveness training classes you can do, or perhaps team working sessions, or hobbiest classes that you can take to help you build more self confidence or self esteem.

Good luck

Answer 3

The answer is lots and lots of drugs. Just kidding.

If you do not have enough money, you could take drugs, like alcohol or crack, to feel better and many do. But that does not cure it. The cure is to make more money. If you are depressed, the cure is not to take a drug, like Prozac. The cure is to be happier. If you have panic or anxiety, which everyone feels at one time or another, the cure is not to take drugs. The cure is to feel more tranquility, calmness and peace of mind. See site below for more on this.

Kevin Trudeau says in his best selling book, Natural Cures They Do Not Want You to Know About, "All illnesses and diseases are caused by the same things; (1) too many toxins in the body; (2) nutritionally deficiencies; (3) electromagnetic chaos exposure; (4) mental and/or emotional distress." "The most effective way to cure and prevent disease is by getting the toxins out." "One very powerful cleanse is, of course, fasting." "Drugs only suppress symptoms, and they cause disease because they are toxic." In More Natural Cures Revealed, Kevin Trudeau says "The facts are clear, drugs, both prescription and non-prescription, do not make you healthier, they make you sicker. Drug companies are not interested in your health. Drug companies only want you to buy and use more drugs. If you want to cure yourself of any disease you have and remain healthy, you must eliminate all non-prescription and prescription drugs."

http://www.phifoundation.org/panic.html

Answer 4

Buspirone - It worked for me