Stress Center Peer Support

seadog-

Great post! You're absolutely right about thinking of the program as a process and the importance of immersing yourself in everything it offers, including interacting with other sufferers, being the best way to get results. I've been through the program three times and am about to for a fourth time. The first time through I made real progress and felt great, but have had setbacks and not as much success since. It is so incredibly hard to break these deeply-engrained habits! Hopefully I'll make more progress this time keeping your experience with the program and sound advice in mind... Thanks

russK,
your post caught my attention. good for you for trying again. most people probably would have given up and said the program didnt work. with that kind of determination you will definately get over this. Fake it til you make it!

I experience this all the time. I have severe social anxiety problems, though, and tend to not be able to relax around ppl. When i'm at home or with close friends, i can laugh my head off. Just not when i'm feeling uptight.

michelle37-

Thanks for the response and encouraging words. It means a lot to me. Giving up really isn't an option, it's far too painful to even think about... going back or even staying where I am! The program does work, it's just a matter of staying with it and accepting setbacks as a part of the process. I've had this problem as long as I can remember, so it's bound to take a long time to recover... somewhere closer to normal. "Fake it til you make it" is a good one, I use it all the time. It really does work! I enjoyed (for lack of a better word)and feel empathy after reading your profile, you seem to be on the right path... Best of luck.
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brandonmississippi-

I too have a problem with social anxiety (severe) and have a hard time being able to relax enough to feel comfortable laughing around others. I can laugh my head off when I do. You don't feel you have control/vulnerable when you let yourself have a good laugh...
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You're right, Russ. Another problem I have is trying to fake laughs, when ppl make a funny. I'll give the typical "he he, yeah" I get tired of doing this. lol