Stress Center Peer Support

I would LOVE to get ideas for practice opportunities, you know putting yourself in situations that cause anxiety so you can expose yourself and get over the dang fear!

I realize we all have different fears, for some it may be leaving the house, for others - driving, and for others - flying! Still others might be feeling trapped, or public speaking or going to the store.

So what type of things did you do, or do you plan on doing to expose yourself to these practice opportunities?

Ah This is a very thread you have created. I'm sure this will benefit everybody

I definately have a few fears. Reacting to someone who is constantly complaining to me (only in person) and shutting down my suggestions is one fear.

Getting yelled at is another fear.

Public speaking is definately another one.

Fear of being in a job and not being able to leave.

Those are the main ones. The majority of my fears have to do with interaction with others.

Well most of these i plan to use Mock type situations first so it is like an artifical exposure. Role play type situations online and in person. I don't think i'll have to really look for the complaining situation or the yelling at, that'll prolly happen on it's own.

As for Public speaking there is a group called Toastmasters which basically is a bunch of people who speak about whatever topic it is to groups of people in order to build that confidence. I'm definately considering that.

The last one is to actually get a job that isn't a job that i'm too thrilled about and finding another one while i'm working there

Mike

Mike those are great ideas. Public speaking is my challenge as well, and I've also thought about toastmasters. I would like to figure out ways to build up to it though, maybe like leading a Bible study. A friend and I are meeting for small Bible studies just her and I and we are talking about inviting others to it once we get a system down on how we'll conduct it.

Another challenge I face is feeling trapped, like in closed door type meetings or feeling trapped in an audience, movie theater or church type of situation. I think a good practice opportunity would be to go to the movies during the week when it isn't very crowded and it's a matinee price and then sit dead in the center of the theater!

I hope others can come up with ideas or share what they are doing or plan to do!

Shifrah

Thank you! Your ideas are very good as well.

If i may add, part of the thing that prevents us from doing things is fear. Fear gives us the message that we need to prepare. So if you can prepare for the worst case senario then you'd definately be able to significantly decrease the fear and anxiety level.

ie. You have a fear of public speaking. I don't know if this is a worry for yourself but for me, the worst thing that could happen is that i would be criticized while up there and don't know how to handle the situation. There are techniques out there you can use to handle situations like this. I've found one in a book called Feeling Good by David, D. Burns. It's called the anti-heckler technique.

It tells you the main characteristics of a "heckler" and suggests you to

1)Immediately thank the person for his or her comments.
2)Acknowledge that the points brought up are indeed important.
3)Emphasize that there is a need for more knowledge about the points raised, and encourage the critic to pursue meaningful research & investigation of the topic. Finally, Invite the heckler to share his or her views with you further after the close of the session.

For the theatre one if I was in that situation (and this is just me, this may not work for everyone), figuring out the advantages and disadvantages of leaving before going and going through some case senarios with another person and ask them if it is reasonable would help me out neways.

Hope things go well for you!

Mike

I also get nervous when I feel that I'm trapped somewhere, or when I have to go where there are a lot of people. When I find myself having anticipatory anxiety about going to the store or the movie theater or something, I give myself a pep talk before I leave. I tell myself, "You might feel anxious when you're out there, but it's okay. You can do this!" Sounds cheesy but it gets me through it. I also repeat in my head some of the phrases from the Week 2 flash card: "Body symptoms are uncomfortable, but there is no danger. It always passes. I am strong, courageous, and capable."

Last week I went to the Huntington Library, a museum. I was a bit nervous about going and I did feel anxious at times, but when I did I would just fill myself with positive thoughts and sometimes even sat down for a minute if I needed some time to compose myself. I made it through the five hours we were there, and even enjoyed myself.

Theresa I've been to the Huntington Library such a beautiful place!

I'm usually okay as long as I know I can come and go and there's a bathroom nearby! I forgot to mention that's another deal with me, when I get nervous the bladder and sometimes ibs will kick in...I hate that because I know I can deal with the anxiety by itself. However, I have used the techniques which has helped with the bathroom deal.