Whats wrong with me? dropping this class?

Question

only this class

this class where we have to make a circle makes me have a panic attack i want to get out.. like all people are facing each other..... because people are looking at me.. i dont know why, i know they dont hurt but still. I hate being there.... i avoid eye contact,,

what wrong? doc rx me ativan but i dont think it will help?

Answer 1

i dnt thnk u need meds either..jus try to relax and realize not everyone is staring at you.  

Answer 2

just try what the doctor gave you. anxiety meds can take weeks to take effect, so you just need patience. I used to take sertraline (the generic for zoloft) that works pretty well if u need a new med.

Answer 3

This is a totally normal thing for people with social anxiety.

One thing that helps me with anxiety to calm it before it escalates to a panic attack is to use a method that I can't remember the name of..

but what you do it move your eyes (quickly, I might add) from left to right. Or, if you don't want people to see you do this, tap your right and left hand on something.

R- right

L- left

RLRLRLRL. or LRLRLRL. however many times.

The thing about panicking, is that it puts an override into ONE HALF of your brain. By using BOTH eyes or hands in a stimulating way, you are making the OTHER HALF of your brain kick in and your mind will ease itself.

Just try it next time. I hope this helps you! There are also a lot of other things you can do in order to diffuse an attack. Just Google it!

If you can, use this class time to your advantage! Meet your fears head on and, literally, look them in the eye! Take these tools with you and try to overcome your fear.

Breathe deeply. Do the tapping or eye movements. Think very loudly in your head 'Do not be afraid! Stop!' .. if you are thinking negative thoughts.

Good luck! :D

Answer 4

i once read in a book that when you are in a large gathering you feel like everyone is watching you but actually they are not because everyone is busy thinking the same thing.  

Answer 5

I used to work in finance & one day a week we had to have a 'group huddle'. Ihated it. i am gregarious but i didn't like facing people, but i reckon it comes down to 'an eye-contact' issue.  We are in-bred not to look people directly in the eye, think about it when do animals & humans do it - in battle.  Fight or flight i believe the expression is.  To look at someone in the eye is confrontational, to look away submissive.  I tried focussing on something behind the person i was facing. i.e. Leaflet/poster on the wall.

Answer 6

I don't think you need medicine, it's just a social phobia that a lot of people have.  Just talk about it with a therapist or friend

Answer 7

Maybe you have a social anxiety disorder. Are the people sitting with you people that you don;t know? The purpose of the circle table is to increase your interactions with your fellow classmates so maybe that is what is causing you to be so anxious.