Sometimes I have to catch myself and get my expectations in check. I have pretty severe social anxiety but have overcome so much of it.
Social anxiety has caused me to almost quit professional school. The only reason I did not quit was because I was to scared to go tell them. Funny, now I have graduated with my doctorate degree. I could not go to meetings where I might have to talk. I would often go to family social events but just get through them and hate it. Parties were out of the question. My assertiveness was absolutely not there. I let people walk all over me.
Today I go to support group meetings about 3-4 times a week and share how I am feeling with about 10-20 people. I took a job as a manager and have to go to manager meetings and speak every week. I am also in charge of about 5 other people. I have begun to set boundaries with them and confront them when they step over the boundaries. I share in church ocassionally with a MICROPHONE in front of about 100 people. I often don't talk much and keep it short and sweet, but I have decided that I don't have to say much. If there is something to say, however, I am not going to not say it due to fear. I have a long ways to go, but truly have come so far. What has worked for me so far is a multi-faceted approach.
I listen to relaxation tapes morning, evening, and over lunch. I read a devotional book every morning and pray. I pray and relax over lunch. I practice breathing exercises about 10 times a day. (5 deap breaths) I exercise, I eat healthy, I avoid caffeine and I tell myself all day that I can do it and I am a good person. I have truly become my own best friend. I pray throughout the day and lean on
God for all of my needs in life.
I do all of these things in addition to having a wife, son and full-time job. It can be done. I have learned that I am never going to be perfect or totally free from anxiety, but I will get better every day. I now focus on the journey of life day by day, and not on some magical day a year from now when everything will be just great. Life has struggles and pain. That is reality, but if we consistently take the right steps, we will find the path to recovery.
I know I have a long way to go, but I have a lifetime to work on it. My biggest advise is to outline a plan, and just do it. Cheer yourself on and know that god will get you through it if you lean on him.
God bless you all,
Aaron
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"
Serenity Prayer
success with social anxiety
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Kudos to you!
I can't help but cry AND laugh at the irony of your paradox:
"Social anxiety has caused me to almost quit professional school. The only reason I did not quit was because I was to scared to go tell them."
It makes me very happy to hear someone has overcome this nightmare. I DO believe that there is hope for all of us.
Best wishes,
HT
I can't help but cry AND laugh at the irony of your paradox:
"Social anxiety has caused me to almost quit professional school. The only reason I did not quit was because I was to scared to go tell them."
It makes me very happy to hear someone has overcome this nightmare. I DO believe that there is hope for all of us.
Best wishes,
HT