Obsessive thoughts about embarrassing myself...

jules722 · Post by **jules722** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:08 pm

Hi, I have slight social phobia and MAJOR stage fright. I constanrly have obsessive thoughts ALL day about yelling out in class or doing stupid things to draw attention to me and ultimately- be embarrassed. The other night, I was with my friend and her boss and the 3 of us were talking while sipping on soda. I randomly thought to myself, "what if I were to take my glass of soda a splatter it all over the walls? ..they would really think I was weird and I would be mortified." Does anyone else think this way? My shrink said one way to stop these thoughts is to try to not react towards them and accept them. Anyone relate??

Celeste1 · Post by **Celeste1** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:43 am

Can I relate? Absolutely!! I think even non-anxious people have a random thought like this every once in a while. There are times I'll be walking from my car to my work building and I'll think, "what if I forgot to put clothes on this morning?" The funniest part is that I'll actually look down at myself to MAKE SURE that I'm not walking into work naked! I do this every morning! Your therapist is right. Accept and try not to react to the thought. I'm not sure which is worse: splattering soda all over the walls or walking into work butt-naked!!!

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:22 am

I actually went to work one day with my blouse on inside out (and it was obvious it was inside out) I went this way for half a day until someone asked me if I was planning to put my blouse on right! Talk about embarrassing! I lived through it though and people later on said it gave them a good chuckle. I suppose if you went naked though someone would probably tell you right away.

l_ isa · Post by **l_ isa** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:35 am

Originally posted by Mary Wargo:
I actually went to work one day with my blouse on inside out (and it was obvious it was inside out) I went this way for half a day until someone asked me if I was planning to put my blouse on right! Talk about embarrassing! I lived through it though and people later on said it gave them a good chuckle. I suppose if you went naked though someone would probably tell you right away.

Mark55 · Post by **Mark55** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:42 am

Accept the thoughts don't fight them. In fact invite them over like you would an old friend and say "you can stay, I accept you, but i know you'll pass and my voice is here to stay." Say to you self "thoughts are only suggestions. I'm the one who really is in control. Actions speak louder than words." throughout the day, give it a few days and you will understand the actual meaning. Then when you get really brave say everyday to yourself morning and night a few times a day. "I'm not afraid of panic attacks, I'm not afraid of losing control, I'm not afraid death but I will not be pigheaded about it."
Good Luck

Jannacle · Post by **Jannacle** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:00 pm

Yes, I do this alot. I just start back to work after being a homebody for almost 10 years. We know that these thoughts are just that thoughts. They are part of our OCD andwhen we just accept them and don't panic when we think them they will begin to go away. I also remind myself that the worst thing that could happen is that my friends would laugh at me but they would still be my friends. i have never abandoned any of my friends when they were embarassed on the contrary I feel sorry for them. Think how you would feel if it happened to a friend.
When you get more comfortable and can talk about it to your friends you can ask them what they would do if you freaked out. My friends have all said that they would feel bad for me and protect me if anyone was being mean to me.

Jan