Mindfulness meditation or 'outward focus' techniques - which is better for alleviating social anxiety?

Question

Mindfulness meditation or 'outward focus' techniques - which is better for alleviating social anxiety?

Answer 1

Mindfulness meditation has really turn me around,My mind is so much more peaceful ,

But you must practice, every day.

Although i can see the impact meditation would have on anxiety, ( I had very high anxiety levels), everyone is different , more important is that you have an open mind.

I consider myself to be very lucky in the therapist I found, CBT didnt work for me ,meditation has.

Answer 2

"Social Anxiety" is often the kinder, medicalized, label for "being self-absorbed".

OUTWARD FOCUS is in fact *THE* way to alleviate it.

Socialize with people - and be interested in THEM.

Answer 3

i read for certain people meditations (mainly imagery therapy) can be worse for their anxiety. i think the best technique is exposure therapy for social anxiety.

edit to John: people with social anxiety are NOT self absorbed. They want to be with others very much but their anxiety isolates them. You're possibly thinking of schizoid personality disorder, which is similar to social phobia except they aren't interested in others but themselves.