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OfflineAA2277
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Registered: 05/06/06
Posts: 699
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Social Anxiety
    #5789186 - 06/25/06 11:35 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

I get really bad social anxiety, agoraphobia and shit. I have never been to a party because of the people, and i can barely stand malls. I feel like they are all watching me and im doing something really wrong. But no one is telling me how to change so they are all secretly laughing at me or something.

Because of this i obsessivly wipe my nose and pull down on my shirt when im walking around i dont know why...

anyone else get this? the only thing that really ever helped it was when i was adderal...


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OfflineToddo
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Registered: 07/09/04
Posts: 4,152
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #5789253 - 06/25/06 12:02 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

well, I cant give you any professional advice but ill just let you know, know one really cares what you look like.  I think once you come to terms that it really doesn't matter what someone thinks of you, your going to be in alot better shape.  And speaking of being in shape, what kind of physical condition are you in?  Going on some morning runs or lifting a little bit can do wonders to your overall happiness and well being.  :smile:


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InvisibleTheHateCamel
Research &Development -DBK
Registered: 01/31/03
Posts: 15,738
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #5789261 - 06/25/06 12:04 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Social anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. People vary in how often they experience anxiety in this way or in which kinds of situations. Anxiety about public speaking, performance, or interviews is common.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also referred to clinically as social phobia, is a psychiatric anxiety disorder involving overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People experiencing social anxiety often have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it significantly impairs their work, school, social life, and other activities. While many people experiencing social anxiety recognize that their fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they confront considerable difficulty overcoming it. This differs from shyness, in that the person is functionally debilitated and avoids such anxiety provoking situations by all means. At the same time, a person with social anxiety may only feel the fear of the disorder during certain situations. For example, an actor or singer may feel fine on stage, but afraid of social situations in everyday life.

Social anxiety is often part of only a certain situation—such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating, or writing in front of others—or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people. Many people have the specific fear of public speaking, called glossophobia. In this case, the fear is not actually of public speaking, however; a fear of doing or saying something, which may cause embarrassment. Approximately 13.3% of the general population will experience social phobia at some point in their lifetime; with the male to female ratio being 1.4:1.0, respectively. Physical symptoms often accompany social anxiety, and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and stammering. Panic attacks may also occur under intense fear and discomfort. An early diagnosis helps in minimizing the symptoms and having other mental illnesses such as depression. Sufferers may also use alcohol to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events.

A person with the disorder may be treated with therapy, medication, or both. Research has shown cognitive behavior therapy, whether individually or in a group, to be effective in treating social phobics. The cognitive and behavioral components seek to change thinking patterns and physical reactions to anxious situations. This may be done through a technique called role playing. Prescribed medication consists of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Such treatment has a high response rate, low risk of dependancy but has been criticized for its adverse side-effects and possible increase in suicide risk.

Attention given to social anxiety disorder has significantly increased since 1999 with the approval of drugs for its treatment. Marketing campaigns by pharmaceutical companies may be largely responsible for driving this.
Overview

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, social phobia is a persistent fear of one or more situations in which the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others and fears that he or she may do something or act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing.[1] For one to be social phobic, exposure to the feared situation must provoke anxiety and the person must recognize this anxiety is irrational (although this may be absent in children). If another disorder is present, the social phobic fear is unrelated to it. For instance, if a person has a history of panic attacks, having a panic attack must not be the sufferer's fear. Sufferers are typically more self-conscious and self-attentive than others.[2] As a result, social phobics tend to limit or remove themselves from situations where they may be subject to evaluation. Sufferers often recognize their fear is excessive or irrational, yet can't seem to break out of the cycle. As such, the diagnosis of social phobia is made only when the fear leads to avoiding occupational functions, social activities, or relationships with others.[3]

Mental health professionals often distinguish between generalized and specific social anxiety disorders. People with generalized social anxiety have great distress with most or all social situations. A famous study by Stanford University established that distress was more likely when social encounters were unfamiliar, involved power or status differences, difference in gender, or the presence of a group of people. Those with specific social phobias may experience anxiety only in a few situations. [4] For example the most common specific phobia is glossophobia, the fear of public speaking or performance, also known as "stage fright". Other examples of specific social phobias include fears of writing in public (scriptophobia) and using public restrooms (paruresis).

There is much debate concerning the relationship between social phobia and shyness. Shyness is not a criterion for social anxiety disorder. People with social anxiety disorder may be quite comfortable with certain people or many people, but still feel intense anxiety in specific social situations. Child psychologist Samuel Turner provides a summary between shyness and social phobia. Both share several features: negative cognitions in social situations, heightened physiological reactivity, a tendency to avoid social situations, and deficits in social skills. Negative cognitions include fear of negative evaluation, self-consciousness, devaluation of social skills, self-deprecating thoughts, and self-blaming attributions for social difficulties. Social phobia is distinct from shyness in that it has a lower prevalence in the population, follows a more chronic course, is more functionally debilitating, and has a later age of onset. There are problems with these kinds of comparisons. It may be that the differences between them are quantitative rather than qualitative.[5] There are some that argue that shyness is mistakenly treated with medication intended for social phobia, effectively labeling the personality trait a mental illness.[6]

Social phobia should not be confused with panic disorder. Sufferers of panic disorder are convinced that their panic comes from some dire physical cause, and often go to the hospital or call for an ambulance during or after their attacks. Social phobics may experience a panic attack when triggered, but they are aware that it is extreme anxiety they are experiencing, and that the cause is an irrational fear. Few social phobics would willingly go to a hospital in that instance because they fear rejection and judgment by authority figures (such as the medical staff). The general form of social anxiety is sometimes incorrectly called generalized anxiety disorder. The principal difference between the two is that the social phobia deals with anxiety in a social setting, while generalized anxiety disorder is extreme anxiety for any situation (work, school, et al.), not necessarily one involving other people.
Symptoms
Cognitive aspects

In cognitive models of social anxiety, social phobics experience dread over how they will be presented to others. They may be overly self-conscious, pay high self-attention after the activity, or have high performance standards for oneself. According to the social psychology theory, self-presentation, a sufferer attempts to create a well-mannered impression on others but believes he or she is unable to do so. Many times, prior to the potentially anxiety-provoking social situation, sufferers may deliberate over what could go wrong and how to deal with each unexpected case. After the event, they may have the perception they performed unsatisfactorily. Consequently, they will review anything that may have possibly been abnormal or embarrassing. These thoughts do not just terminate soon after the encounter, but may extend for weeks or longer.[7] Those with social phobia tend to interpret neutral or ambiguous conversations with a negative outlook and although still inconclusive, some studies suggest that socially anxious individuals remember more negative memories than those less distressed.[8] An example of an instance may be that of an employee presenting to his co-workers. During the presentation, the person may stutter a word upon which he or she may worry that other people significantly noticed and think that he or she is a terrible presenter. This cognitive thought propels further anxiety which may lead to further stuttering, sweating and a possible panic attack.
Behavioral aspects

According to renowned psychologist Burrhus Skinner, phobias are controlled by escape and avoidance behaviors. For instance, a student may leave the room when talking in front of the class (escape) and refrain from doing verbal presentations because of the previously encountered anxiety attack (avoid). Minor avoidance behaviors are exposed when a person avoids eye contact and crosses arms to avoid recognizable shaking.[8] A fight-or-flight response is then triggered in such events. Preventing these automatic responses is at the core of treatment for social phobia.
Physiological aspects

Physiological effects, similar to those in other anxiety disorders, are present in social phobics. Faced with an uncomfortable situation, children with social anxiety may display tantrums, crying, clinging to parents, and shutting themselves out.[9] Adults may weep, as well as experience excessive sweating, nausea, shaking, and palpitations as a result of the fight-or-flight response. Blushing is commonly exhibited by individuals suffering from social phobia.[8] These visible symptoms further reinforce the anxiety in the presence of others. A 2006 study found that the area of the brain called the amygdala, part of the limbic system is hyperactive when patients are shown threatening faces or confronted with frightening situations. They found that patients with more severe social phobia showed a correlation with the increased response in the amygdala.
Prevalence

When prevalence estimates were based on the examination of psychiatric clinic samples, social anxiety disorder was thought to be a relatively rare disorder. The opposite was instead true; social anxiety was common but many were afraid to seek psychiatric help, leading to an understatement of the problem.[8] Prevalence rates vary widely because of its vague diagnostic criteria and its overlapping symptoms with other disorders. There has been some debate on how the studies are conducted and whether the illness truly impairs the respondents as laid out in the official criteria. Psychologist Dr. Ray Crozier argues, "it is difficult to ascertain whether the person being interviewed adheres to the DSM-III-R criteria or whether they are merely exhibiting poor social skills or shyness."[10]

The National Comorbidity Survey of over 8,000 American correspondents in 1994 revealed a 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of 7.9% and 13.3% making it the third most prevalent psychiatric disorder after depression and alcohol dependence and the most apparent of the anxiety disorders. According to U.S. epidemiological data from the National Institute of Mental Health, social phobia affects 5.3 million adult Americans in any given year. Recent studies suggest the lifetime prevalence number may be as high as 15 million people or 6.8% of the American population. Cross-cultural studies have reached prevalence rates with the conservative rates at 5% of the population.[11][12] However, other estimates vary within 2% and 7% of the U.S. adult population. [13]

Onset of social phobia typically occurs between 11 and 19 years of age. Onset after age 25 is rare. Social anxiety disorder occurs in females twice as often as males, although men are more likely to seek help.[14] The prevalence of social phobia appears to be increasing among white, married, and well-educated individuals. As a group, those with generalized social phobia are less likely to graduate from high school and are more likely to rely on government financial assistance or have poverty-level salaries.[15] Surveys carried out in 2002 show the youth of England, Scotland, and Wales have a prevalence rate of .4%, 1.8%, and .6%, respectively.[16] The prevalence of self-reported social anxiety for Nova Scotians older than 14 years was 4.2% in June 2004 with women (4.6%) reporting more than men (3.8%).[17] In Australia, social phobia is the 8th and 5th leading disease or illness for males and females between 15-24 years of age as of 2003.[18]
Comorbidity

There is a high degree of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders. Social phobia often occurs alongside low self-esteem and clinical depression, due to lack of personal relationships and long periods of isolation from avoiding social situations. To try to reduce their anxiety and alleviate depression, people with social phobia may use alcohol or other drugs, which can lead to substance abuse. It is estimated that one-fifth of patients with social anxiety disorder also suffer from alcohol dependence.[19] The most common complementary psychiatric condition is depression. In a sample of 14,263 people, of the 2.4% of persons diagnosed with social phobia, 16.6% also met the criteria for major depression.[20] Besides depression, the most common disorders diagnosed in patients with social phobia are panic disorder (33%), generalized anxiety disorder (19%), post-traumatic stress disorder (36%), substance abuse disorder (18%), and attempted suicide (23%).[21] In one study of social anxiety disorder patients who developed comorbid alcoholism, panic disorder or depression, social anxiety disorder preceded the onset of alcoholism, panic disorder and depression in 75%, 61%, and 90% of patients, respectively. Avoidant personality disorder is also highly correlated with social phobia.[22] Because of its close relationship and overlapping symptoms with other illnesses, treating social phobics may help understand underlying connection in other psychiatric disorders.
Causes and perspectives

Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact causes of social phobia. Studies suggest the disorder is familial; however these findings do not differentiate between environmental and genetic factors. Preliminary studies suggest that both biological and psychological factors contribute to the disorder.[23]
Genetic and family factors

It has been shown that there is a two to three fold greater risk of having social phobia if a first-degree relative also has the disorder. If parents themselves are socially anxious, their children might acquire social fears and avoidance through processes of modeling. Consequently, the child's exposure to social events and conversations may be limited, preventing the child from gaining the experience needed to develop better social skills. These psychologists suggest people with social phobia may acquire their fear from observing the behavior and consequences of others, a process called observational learning. A previous negative social experience can be a trigger to social phobia.[24] [25]

Some scientists hypothesize that social phobia is related to an imbalance of the brain chemical serotonin. Sociability is also closely tied to dopamine neurotransmission. Low D2 receptor binding is found in people with social anxiety.[26] Researchers supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recently identified the site of a gene in mice that affects learned fearfulness, suggesting that social anxiety disorder is inherited.
Treatment

Arguably the most important clinical point to emerge from studies of comorbid social anxiety disorder is the necessity for early diagnosis and treatment. Social anxiety disorder remains underrecognized in primary care practice, with patients presenting for treatment only after the onset of complications such as major depression or substance use disorders. Up to 80 percent of those treated for social phobia say they've gotten their anxiety under control, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Improvement is lower for those with more severe social phobia and with comorbid disorders, such as avoidant personality disorder and depression.[27] The patients who achieve full resolution are usually far fewer; there are still many who, after receiving treatment, are unable to function in the long-term without anxiety symptoms.

Research supported by the NIMH has shown that there are two effective forms of treatment available for social phobia (and anxiety disorders): certain medications and a specific form of short-term psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the central component being gradual exposure therapy. Medications include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as well as drugs known as high-potency benzodiazepenes.
Pharmacological treatments
SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, are considered the first choice by doctors in defusing fears associated with social phobia and related anxiety disorders. These drugs are designed to elevate the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The first drug formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration was paroxetine, sold as Paxil. Compared to older forms of medication, there is little risk of tolerability and drug dependency. However, their efficacy and increased suicide risk has been subject to controversy.

In a 1995 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the SSRI paroxetine was shown to result in clinically meaningful improvement in 55% of patients with generalized social anxiety disorder, compared with 23.9% of those taking placebo.[28] An October 2004 study yielded similar results. Patients were treated with either fluoxetine, psychotherapy, fluoxetine and psychotherapy, placebo and psychotherapy, and a placebo. The first four sets saw improvement in 50.8 to 54.2% of the patients. Of those assigned to receive only a placebo, 31.7 percent achieved a rating of 1 or 2 on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale. Those who sought both therapy and medication did not see a boost in improvement.[29]

General side-effects are common during the first weeks while the body adjusts to the drug. Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, insomnia and changes in sexual behavior. Treatment safety during pregnancy has not been established.[30] In late 2004 much media attention was given to a proposed link between SSRI use and juvenile suicide. For this reason, the use of SSRIs in pediatric cases of depression is now recognized by the Food and Drug Administration as warranting a cautionary statement to the parents of children who may be prescribed SSRIs by a family doctor.[31] Recent studies have shown no increase in rates of suicide.[32] These tests, however, represent those diagnosed with depression, not necessarily with social anxiety disorder.
Other drugs

Although SSRIs are often the first choice for treatment, other prescription drugs are also commonly issued.

Benzodiazepines are a more potent alternative to SSRIs. The drug is often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety. Although benzodiazepines are prescribed for long-term use, there is much concern over the development of drug tolerance, dependency and recreational abuse. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax augment the action of GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain; effects may begin to appear within days or hours.[33]

In 1985, before the introduction of SSRIs, anti-depressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were frequently used in the treatment of social anxiety by researchers such as Michael Liebowitz. Irreversible MAOIs, most notably phenlzine, has been more efficacious than benzodiazepines in the short-term (8-12 weeks). Relapse is common, which may result in long-term usage. Because of the dietary restrictions required, high toxicity in overdose, and incompatibilities with other drugs, its usefulness as a treatment for social phobics is limited. Reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase subtype A (RIMAs) also inhibit monoamine oxidase. In contrast with MAOIs, reversibility means that they can inhibit the enzyme only temporarily. Because their action is short-lived and selective, they have a better safety profile than the older MAOI drugs. A special diet does not need to be strictly adhered to.[34]

Some people with a form of social phobia called performance phobia have been helped by beta-blockers, which are more commonly used to control high blood pressure. Taken in low doses, they control the physical shaking of anxiety and can be taken before a public performance.
Psychotherapy

Research has shown that a form of psychotherapy that is effective for several anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder and social phobia, is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (Burns, 1999). It has two components. The cognitive component helps people change thinking patterns that keep them from overcoming their fears. A person with social phobia might be helped to overcome the belief that others are continually watching and harshly judging him or her. The behavioral component of CBT seeks to change people's reactions to anxiety-provoking situations. A key element of this component is gradual exposure, in which people confront the things they fear in a structured, sensitive manner. This is done with support and guidance when the therapist feels the patient is ready and only with the permission of the patient and at the pace the patient wishes. Cognitive-behavior therapy for social phobia also includes anxiety management training, such as teaching people techniques such as deep breathing to control their levels of anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT), founded upon research done by Richard Heimberg, is a similar psychotherapeutic approach. It is generally held for 12 weekly sessions which run for two or three hours. A range of 4-10 patients and two therapists are involved in sharing individual experiences, participating in simulated exposures, and completing homework assignments in the goal of replacing irrational and automatic negative thoughts in social situations. A sample homework assignment might include reading a book or initiating a conversation with an acquaintance. Even in CBGT, sufferers are treated individually. Each person is exposed to different levels of anxious situations, depending on the severity of their illness.

These two types of cognitive behavior therapy have proven effective in reducing anxiety among social phobics. A 1998 study by Heimberg and Michael Liebowitz and a 2004 experiment showed the efficacy of CBGT.[35][36]
History
Michael Liebowitz (pictured), as well as Richard Heimberg are prominent researchers on social phobia.
Enlarge
Michael Liebowitz (pictured), as well as Richard Heimberg are prominent researchers on social phobia.

Although literary descriptions of shyness can be traced back to the days of Hippocrates around 400 B.C., the first mention of psychiatric term, social phobia ("phobie des situations sociales"), was made in the early 1900s. Psychologists used the term "social neurosis" to describe extremely shy patients in the 1930s. After extensive work by Joseph Wolpe on systematic desensitization, research in phobias and their treatment grew. The idea that social phobia was a separate entity from other phobias came from the British psychiatrist, Isaac Marks in the 1960s. This was accepted by the American Psychiatric Association and was first officially included in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The definition of the illness was revised in 1989 to allow comorbidity between avoidant personality disorder and social phobia and introduced generalized social phobia. [8] Social phobia had been largely ignored prior to 1985. After a call to action by psychiatrist Michael Liebowitz, Richard Heimberg and the founding of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic, psychologists began conducting more research about the disorder. In the 1990s, paroxetine became the first prescription drug approved to treat social anxiety disorder. Two more drugs have since been approved by the FDA (sertraline and venlafaxine). Notable public figures with social phobia include NFL football player Ricky Williams and American entertainment personality Donny Osmond.
Criticisms

Social Anxiety Disorder is frequently mentioned in association with criticisms that pharmaceutical companies attempt to market ordinary life experiences as "diseases" requiring a "cure", with a profit motive. Since the approval of Paxil in 1999 the disorder has been subject to extensive marketing campaigns. Major concerns are that people are receiving unnecessary treatment (which can do more harm than good), and that side affects are not properly mentioned.[37]

Given the blurry lines between shyness and social anxiety disorder, there is concern that people may start taking drugs to cure ordinary shyness. Also of concern is the inordinate level of attention being given towards drug treatments at the expense of behavioral and cognitive therapy.

This also could be diagnosed in accordance with OCD, as many of those with OCD have trouble dealing with social situations. Lack of public awareness of Social Anxiety Disorder may cause many to believe that people suffering from this disorder are just self-conscious and shy, two ordinary personality traits.

http://www.answers.com/topic/social-anxiety


http://www.answers.com/paranoia


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InvisibleTheHateCamel
Research &Development -DBK
Registered: 01/31/03
Posts: 15,738
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #5789264 - 06/25/06 12:07 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

p.s. relax nigga.


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OfflineMr_Brown
Regulator

Registered: 06/07/06
Posts: 49
Last seen: 17 years, 6 months
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: TheHateCamel]
    #5789443 - 06/25/06 01:44 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Whenever I have feelings of social anxiety I try to remember this:

Disregard people’s negative judgements of you.

Noone can have a thorough enough understanding of who you are,

or why you are as you are to formulate a valid character judgement

Unless someone knows you very well,

their appraisal is entirely meaningless,

it's a more accurate reflection of them than it is of yourself.

Try to remember this next time you feel negatively judged,

other’s opinions of you are not worth worrying about.


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Offlinebobjones
...
Male

Registered: 10/12/05
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: TheHateCamel]
    #5789456 - 06/25/06 01:55 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

TheHateCamel said:
p.s. relax nigga.




and learn how to laugh about the whole situation...at least that's what helped me


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"Outside of a dog a book is a man's friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read"
-Groucho Marx


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InvisibleMike_yy
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Registered: 10/28/05
Posts: 7,253
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Mr_Brown]
    #5789474 - 06/25/06 02:02 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

No one is above you my friend.
Were all just humans going about doing what we do.

Try walking with your head up high, talk clearly and smile.
If you do that and someone looks at you funny it's them that has the problem.

Just be yourself and do what you have to do when your out, don't dwell on what other people might be thinking about you.

Think about it logically, they arn't thinking about you at all !

Lay off the DXM/drugs abit too, taking them too often breeds negative thoughts.


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Invisibleking_cobra
Stranger
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Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 2,752
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Mike_yy]
    #5790185 - 06/25/06 06:42 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

don't interact with other humans, simple as that my friend.


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OfflineThe_Hobbit
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: king_cobra]
    #5790349 - 06/25/06 07:56 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Make a choice to understand your situation. You can consider your existence in many different ways. Sometimes I am amazed by everything - simply doing what I do and comprehending what is going on. Whether I feel happy or sad or fearful or mad - it's all something to understand. It's just a part of the situation I'm in.

I know how it is to be in a mall. My advice is to enjoy it for what it is. You may not be able to do things the way you usually do, but remember that there is a time and a place for everything. Just accept it and act accordingly. You may find it helpful to simply take a break and look over a ledge or sit down at a bench and just chill for a while until you get back in the groove. Remember to be concious of yourself. Everything you do effects how you feel. If you are tensing your arms to pull on your shirt, you will become suffocated and go into a panic state. If you keep wiping your nose and doing other idiosynchratic things uncontrollably, you will never be in control because it wrecks your rythm to do something unnecessary. There is no logic to it and it's not fun, so why bother? It's better to just chill - slow down and find a pace at which things make sense. Over time, you will become more comfortable. Your posture is what you stand for - be confident and stay level headed. You may still get overwhelmed, but you can recover in that state because you are trying to stand up and experience rather than falling into a state of fear.


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Smoking my hobbit leaf...
Please keep in mind that I am just a human being. Please read my posts carefully and interpret their meaning for yourself.


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InvisibleaDoS
freedom lover
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: The_Hobbit]
    #5794781 - 06/27/06 02:19 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

I have the same exact problem....its also how I got into adderall a lot because it was the only thing that would make me feel comfortable around people, then I started to sleep less, eat less, and I love both of those. Then I decided to stop replacing my sleep, food, and my personality with a fucking chemical and if I couldn't function properly without adderall I should just fucking quit life. I'm still trying to learn how to get over the fear of being around people, I know exactly what you mean. I have kind of given up and just accepted that maybe I am not a peoples person...Kind of shitty when you feel so scared to go to the grocery store or somthing, so I really need to start trying to get over it.


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"If we could sniff or swallow something that would, for five or six hours each day, abolish our solitude as individuals, atone us with our fellows in a glowing exaltation of affection and make life in all its aspects seem not only worth living, but divinely beautiful and significant, and if this heavenly, world-transfiguring drug were of such a kind that we could wake up next morning with a clear head and an undamaged constitution - then, it seems to me, all our problems (and not merely the one small problem of discovering a novel pleasure) would be wholly solved and earth would become paradise." - Aldous Huxley
:drooling:GIVE ME OPIATES OR GIVE ME DEATH:drooling:


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Offlinemakaveli8x8
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: aDoS]
    #5794914 - 06/27/06 04:28 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

what you need to do is for one day and one day only do the EXACT OPPOSITE as you normally would.

it won't kill you dude. realize you have one life and only one life.

this life of yours has no bearing on others unless you allow it.

this is your life.

your life.

live it how you want to.

those people at the mall, they see you and forgot about you the second you disapear.

After you read this. I want you. TO go to the mall. And walk up to any bad bitch and talk to her. Just start talkin about any weird hobbies you have i don't care just talk, and keep talking about anything like your a fruckin crazy man who don't care about shit...you know them old people who just walk up to you and start talking...thats gunna be you for a whole day....

i just want you to walk up to hot bitches at the mall all day long and just talk to them like some old guy ok...don't hit on them or anything just try to carry on a converstation about anything that is interesting to YOU....pretend your talking to someone who cares about the same hobbies as you pretend EVERYONE IS YOUR BEST BEST BEST BEST FRIEND.

because they can be if you want them to be and who better to be your friend than some hot bitch who will ask you if you want frys with your shake??

but dude.....you have to TRY. or you will DIE a sad sad man. you could be walking home every single night smelling like you just won the bass tournament and might even have a few trophys to proof it.


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We were sent to hell for eternity :hellfire: Ø:omgawesome:h®
We play on earth to pass the time :foreheadslap:

Over-population the root of all Evil-brings the Elites Closer to the gates.


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OfflineRoker
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: makaveli8x8]
    #5794928 - 06/27/06 04:56 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

don't forget that you are a perfect expression of gods love.


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OfflineSneezingPenis
ACHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!111!
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Roker]
    #5795341 - 06/27/06 10:08 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact causes of social phobia. Studies suggest the disorder is familial; however these findings do not differentiate between environmental and genetic factors. Preliminary studies suggest that both biological and psychological factors contribute to the disorder.[23]
Genetic and family factors





nuff said.

There are no mental disorders, there is no one true reality and one true way of perceiving that reality, all mental disorders come from what has been deemed as "normalcy" by society and if you cannot adhere to the ridiculous rules which have been created by it, then there must be something wrong with you, and not society.... right?


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Invisibleeligal
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: makaveli8x8]
    #5796228 - 06/27/06 03:59 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

makaveli8x8 said:
what you need to do is for one day and one day only do the EXACT OPPOSITE as you normally would.

it won't kill you dude. realize you have one life and only one life.

this life of yours has no bearing on others unless you allow it.

this is your life.

your life.

live it how you want to.

those people at the mall, they see you and forgot about you the second you disapear.

After you read this. I want you. TO go to the mall. And walk up to any bad bitch and talk to her. Just start talkin about any weird hobbies you have i don't care just talk, and keep talking about anything like your a fruckin crazy man who don't care about shit...you know them old people who just walk up to you and start talking...thats gunna be you for a whole day....

i just want you to walk up to hot bitches at the mall all day long and just talk to them like some old guy ok...don't hit on them or anything just try to carry on a converstation about anything that is interesting to YOU....pretend your talking to someone who cares about the same hobbies as you pretend EVERYONE IS YOUR BEST BEST BEST BEST FRIEND.

because they can be if you want them to be and who better to be your friend than some hot bitch who will ask you if you want frys with your shake??

but dude.....you have to TRY. or you will DIE a sad sad man. you could be walking home every single night smelling like you just won the bass tournament and might even have a few trophys to proof it.





i second this guy.


--------------------
\m/ Spanksta \m/

"do you have the freedom to do with your nervous system what you want?"

"MolokoMilkPlus said:
I'll respect you if you let me give you a blow job"

"tactik said:
respect the can."



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OfflineFunnyFaces
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: eligal]
    #5798576 - 06/28/06 07:40 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

I too prefer to avoid parties, maybe for different reasons, although part of it may be that I am still a little uncomfortable. But I understand what you are going through. In high school I moved from a big city (millions in the region) to a very small city in the middle of nowhere (thousands in the state...ok more than that :P) and not only was it a bit of a culture shock, it was a shock to see that I didn't know anyone and didn't have ANY friends and that, well, it was effin scary. For a few years I had absolutely no friends, and I talked to maybe a few people at school now and then. Lunch time was terrible, I'd usually grab a milk and go read in the library because I was terrified of sitting alone and even more terrified of joining a table. That's the beggining of my story, I'll spare you the rest of the details and try to give some advice now.

The most important thing to be more comfortable in social situations is to feel better about yourself. Easy right? Just look in a mirror and say, "You are special!" Not so fast. Feeling better about yourself is a long process filled with many detours and setbacks along the way.

There are plenty of ways to get started, and have been lightly touched on by a few others already, but I'll give you some ideas:

1) Start eating healthier. The benefits to this step are unmeasurable. If you are a person who regularly eats fast food, you will notice an incredible change in mood and energy, not to mention losing weight, if you cut out even a few meals a week from your diet. But, I'd recomend completely cutting out fast food. Sure, they have 'healthy' options, but the healthiest option at McDonalds (besides water...) is still not going to be a good alternative compared to something you can find in the grocery store.

It is very easy to fall into the trap of eating as a means of coping with the stresses of the day. Some other coping methods I will talk about as well, but fast food is probably one of the worst habits you can get into.

The movie Supersize Me presents an not-so-objective but still very interesting insight into the effects of fast food, I suggest checking it out if for nothing else other than motivation. Sometimes it's good to see a little anti-fast food propaganda now and again; although I'm normally against biased reporting I think it's only fair with all the damned advertising we are subjected to by the fastfood companies.

2) Exercise! The great thing about starting to get active is the more you exercise the easier it gets and the more energy you have, thus enabling you to continually become more and more active. There is a natural 'high' associated with exercise, so if you've been feeling down it's a good way to change your mood.

3) Quit smoking (cigarettes) or drinking if you regularly partake in either of these activities. These are just a drain on the body and will continue the cycle of self destructive habits.

This is really just a start, I think it focuses mainly on the physical side of this issue. Any issue is going to be equal parts body and mind, and I've largely ignored mind in this post. I'll mention a little bit about that now.

I feel that the psychedelic experience is key to 'getting the ball rolling' so to speak. You can drink away your sorrows and worries, but you can't avoid them when you trip, rather they are brought to the forefront. I don't recomend going into a trip with a negative or depressed set, BUT if you are feeling depressed it doesn't mean you shouldn't trip. What is important is whether or not you are feeling helpless or if you really want to change things. I've worked on a lot of issues with the help of various substances, it's just important to keep an outlook that whatever comes up, whatever happens, I'm going to work on it. I'm going to try and understand WHY I feel this way and WHAT I can do to feel different or change it.

Having said that, I also think it's important to work your way up. Don't be taking heroic doses with the intent to work out your issues, it can become overwhelming and antiproductive. A light dose is a good start, whatever you feel comfortable taking really, and as you progress if you feel that more or less would be more beneficial then by all means, proceed.

I wish I could offer some advice on meditation, but I don't have the experience right now. However, everyone will agree it's very beneficial.

Hope that some or any of this advice was helpful.


--------------------
This is not me. I am nothing.


Edited by FunnyFaces (06/28/06 07:43 AM)


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Invisibledaytripper23
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: FunnyFaces]
    #5800829 - 06/28/06 09:05 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

I can see now that i deffinately have social anxiety disorder. Its amazing how well that wikipedia post described me.

Sometimes i feel like my social anxiety comes from two conflicting personalitys inside of me. My old extroverted self, and my new introverted self highly influenced by insights from mushroom experiences. My introverted self is highly analytical, and it conflicts with my old self because its second guessing everything i do, whether its the morality of my actions or how i would come off to other people. All i knew how to be is extroverted mabey, and i cant do that anymore.

I dont know why i care what people think, because i cant really go any further in this direction. All my friends ive completely avoided for quite some time but they still try to get ahold of me sometimes. Mabey losing my entire old self including all my connections and friends would allow me to embrace my introverted self, and create new friends and groups from this mindset. mabey even taking a long enough break from society will let me come back to my old friends eventually. Im continueing mushroom use to solidify and expand my new mindset as well.

Its just one of my theorys. any thoughts?


--------------------
Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
  The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
  The frumious Bandersnatch!


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OfflineDoctorJ
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #5801792 - 06/29/06 01:49 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Quote:

AA2277 said:
I get really bad social anxiety, agoraphobia and shit. I have never been to a party because of the people, and i can barely stand malls. I feel like they are all watching me and im doing something really wrong. But no one is telling me how to change so they are all secretly laughing at me or something.

Because of this i obsessivly wipe my nose and pull down on my shirt when im walking around i dont know why...

anyone else get this? the only thing that really ever helped it was when i was adderal...




I used to get this a lot. Its a sign of telepathic ability.

Your psychic abilities are so powerful that they are difficult to control.

I would suggest you learn some meditation and centering excercises. Psychic self-defense and well-being.

Most of all though, you have to have confidence in yourself and not really care what others think.

Every time you go in public, people are going to look at you and judge. Thats why being psychic sucks; you can hear all the negative shit these people are thinking about you. Kind of makes you want to lock yourself indoors and ball up in a corner, doesn't it?

Well, my advice is to develop a thick skin. Realize that your mind is YOURS, its your personal space and no one is allowed to invade it with their negativity. Get better security.

Try to surround yourself with those few people you can find that only exhibit positive vibes towards you. Maybe try taking some ecstacy and going to a place where there are a lot of people on ecstacy. In the same way that negative vibes can hurt you, positive vibes can help you. Perhaps you just need a recharge. The world can be very draining, believe me, I know. They'll suck you dry without remorse.

Yours is not an easy gift to have. But with time, patience, and concentration, you will learn to control your mind and reap the benefits of its vast power.

try building your self esteem and it won't matter to you as much what they are thinking.

Love and Service,

J


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OfflineDarkFluFFy
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: DoctorJ]
    #5804958 - 06/29/06 10:53 PM (17 years, 7 months ago)

Want a solution?
For the next 120 days, 5 times a week go out to social gatherings (partys, malls, whatever) and talk to 5 people you dont know. I dont care if you are scared just do it anyway nomatter the outcome. I want you while you are taking these actions to imagine and do whatever it takes to get the feeling of self satisfaction and the feeling of inner happiness. The problem is you don't know who you are as a man, you are looking at others for approval not yourself. I PROMISE YOU if you commit to this, by the 120th day, you will be a totally changed person. Social Anxiety doesn't just "go away". You will always have anxiety, your job is to develop skills on how to handle it and to practice social skills. Its a learning experience just like everything else in the world. Commit to this, I dont believe you will.


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Invisibledaytripper23
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: DarkFluFFy]
    #5805831 - 06/30/06 03:02 AM (17 years, 7 months ago)

From my perspective, I think That would be harder than you probably think it is. I do not believe I am weak willed person, but when it comes to social interaction i am a complete coward. I wasnt always this way in fact i was the complete opposite at a time, so i can at least recognize it. I am doubtful this plan would work because up at college i was forced to interact with plenty of people. Not five people a day, but enough to send me in the opposite direction. each person i talked to me made me realize more and more i am not fit for casual and normal socialization. although I do appreciate the information, and i beleive their may be some truth to
it, i also have to believe that their are either some steps in between where i am now and social life, or that more elaborate psychological instruction is necessary in jumping straight back into the social life. After Hiding out for a while, taking a break from social interaction, I actually feel like im connecting with people mabey a little better, when the oppuratunity comes along. I have the hardest time talking to my old friends actually. Also, because I used to in fact be an extrovert, and that i understand how it is to be carefree of social anxiety, I believe that The most valuable advise would come someone who recovered from social anxiety, and it would be very hard for someone who has been a social butterfly all their life to understand the situation well.

and to the person made the post about psychic defense. It is interesting you mention the connection between psychic connection and social anxiety, because my social anxiety turned up very close to the time i became aware of this. I never seriously attributed a saw the between the two.


--------------------
Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
  The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
  The frumious Bandersnatch!


Edited by daytripper23 (06/30/06 03:14 AM)


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OfflineIamHungry
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #5806415 - 06/30/06 10:04 AM (17 years, 6 months ago)

What helped me get over it was the fact that I accepted that people make decisions based on their accumulated knowledge. Unless someone is a complete asshole, it's up to you to give them information that let's them decide whether or not to judge you. If you APPEAR confident and personable, people will tend to think you ARE confident and personable. Think of it as a big play, and you're on stage. People only know you based on what you show them. If you look nervous and impatient, you run the risk of APPEARING condescending and elitist. Just fake it at first, then eventually it will become a habit and your personality will start to show. Trust me I speak from experience.


--------------------
Here comes the sun, do n do do,
Here comes the sun, and I say,
It's alright...


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Invisibledr_gonz
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. [Re: AA2277]
    #5807985 - 06/30/06 10:57 PM (17 years, 6 months ago)

.


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Invisiblekintos
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: dr_gonz]
    #5809220 - 07/01/06 09:29 AM (17 years, 6 months ago)

i have to admit i had a little bit of social anxiety and depression back in my early years in highschool there were times when i would get panic attacks, i eventually got over it by forcing myself to be social, i ended up gettng a job at a theme park where im around people all day and i pretty much have to be social but i never had symptoms as bad as you describe, try talking to your doctor


--------------------


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OfflineFelinor
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: eligal]
    #8180137 - 03/22/08 03:09 PM (15 years, 10 months ago)

Quote:

eligal said:
Quote:

makaveli8x8 said:
what you need to do is for one day and one day only do the EXACT OPPOSITE as you normally would.

it won't kill you dude. realize you have one life and only one life.

this life of yours has no bearing on others unless you allow it.

this is your life.

your life.

live it how you want to.

those people at the mall, they see you and forgot about you the second you disapear.

After you read this. I want you. TO go to the mall. And walk up to any bad bitch and talk to her. Just start talkin about any weird hobbies you have i don't care just talk, and keep talking about anything like your a fruckin crazy man who don't care about shit...you know them old people who just walk up to you and start talking...thats gunna be you for a whole day....

i just want you to walk up to hot bitches at the mall all day long and just talk to them like some old guy ok...don't hit on them or anything just try to carry on a converstation about anything that is interesting to YOU....pretend your talking to someone who cares about the same hobbies as you pretend EVERYONE IS YOUR BEST BEST BEST BEST FRIEND.

because they can be if you want them to be and who better to be your friend than some hot bitch who will ask you if you want frys with your shake??

but dude.....you have to TRY. or you will DIE a sad sad man. you could be walking home every single night smelling like you just won the bass tournament and might even have a few trophys to proof it.





i second this guy.




I recomend eating some MDMA. and i'll take some fryz with my shake please.


--------------------
The world itself is the will to power - and nothing else! And you yourself are the will to power - and nothing else! ~Friedrich Nietzsche


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OfflineGrav
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Felinor]
    #8184195 - 03/23/08 06:26 PM (15 years, 10 months ago)

anxiety for me comes and goes

sometimes I feel great walking through a big crowd, or even being at the head of a room with a bunch of people staring at me

sometimes when I'm walking out in the park, my whole body will seize up when I cross paths with another person

sometimes talking at school and to strangers feels fluid and loose and enjoyable, and other times I feel out of place, and words are as heavy as anchors in my throat


I've gone through phases of severe social anxiety to periods of no conscious anxiety at all

In highschool I was scared to death of social situations, really petrified. I had no friends and I felt weak and fragile, like I would shatter if someone were to laugh at me or something.

In my late teens I was letting myself go. I remember a few adventurous nights where I felt like I was looking at myself, 'who I was', for the first time. And after that I've always had this solid feeling in me that everything is okay, that I like myself, even though life can hurt.

Anyways, coming out of that experience I found myself with a handful of good friends, and a beautiful girl. Those couple years were like one long summer of just hanging out, getting high, going to the ocean, playing music, and making love with my girl. I wish things could have stayed that way but life picked me up and shook me around again.

I realized I need money to live.. my mom wasn't going to support me. Had to start working. Forced out of my comfort zone. I got insecure again. It's funny how that feeling of 'highschool' comes back in waves.

I guess Im sort of in that phase again... The world is big again and I don't know where I fit. I guess I feel like the past decade of huge ups and downs have left me numb. Maybe I'm stabalizing I dont know.. I definately feel more calm, collected, and thoughtful about my well-being than ever before, but also disconnected from others, like people on the street have nothing to offer me anymore, where I remember always being curious of them.

wow I'm fucking rambling. what was this post about again

oh yea. STAY OUTTA MY BOOZE


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OfflineAmericanPsycho
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Grav]
    #9150413 - 10/28/08 07:34 PM (15 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

Grav said:

I found myself with a handful of good friends, and a beautiful girl.  Those couple years were like one long summer of just hanging out, getting high, going to the ocean, playing music, and making love with my girl. I wish things could have stayed that way but life picked me up and shook me around again. 

I realized I need money to live.. my mom wasn't going to support me.  Had to start working.  Forced out of my comfort zone.  I got insecure again.  It's funny how that feeling of 'highschool' comes back in waves.

I guess Im sort of in that phase again...  The world is big again and I don't know where I fit.  I guess I feel like the past decade of huge ups and downs have left me numb.  Maybe I'm stabalizing I dont know.. I definately feel more calm, collected, and thoughtful about my well-being than ever before, but also disconnected from others




Wow this is strange because I've gone through exactly the same things


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InvisibleJ3illy
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: DoctorJ]
    #9162927 - 10/31/08 03:56 AM (15 years, 3 months ago)

Quote:

DoctorJ said:
I used to get this a lot.  Its a sign of telepathic ability. 

Your psychic abilities are so powerful that they are difficult to control.

Thats why being psychic sucks; you can hear all the negative shit these people are thinking about you.  Kind of makes you want to lock yourself indoors and ball up in a corner, doesn't it? 



Dude if you really believe this, you are schizophrenic..

And to the OP - you honestly need to go see a Dr. and get on some medication..


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OfflineAcid_Raindrops
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #10696185 - 07/17/09 07:19 PM (14 years, 6 months ago)

I am amazed by all the helpful responses in this thread! I have had social anxiety all my life, and I know nothing is going to change unless I try to change it, it isn't going to change itself, and it isn't something that changes over night either, and from experience I know it's hard, and it's going to be hard to get over my social anxiety but in no means is it impossible. Psychedelics have helped expand my mind, but in no way should marijuana and psychedelics and especially ALCOHOL be used as a crutch. I agree with the eating healthy and exercising tips, feeling healthy physically is a large part of feeling good, accept you are who you are and make the best of it, you only live life once, the time has come for us to stop giving so much a shit what people think about us, fear of being judged is fear and unacceptance of yourself, it's all you, and it's going to take all you to overcome your fears. If you are using drugs or alcohol as a crutch, STOP. It isn't going to help you, you can get all doped and alcoholed up and go out and socialize with people and maybe have a satisfying night but that is only going to make you rely on it more. Approaching this with a sober mind state is the best way, I'm sure if you relax and go out to a place and start conversating with someone and open yourself up a bit you will feel good about yourself and you might even gain a new friend and some good times up the road, and that is a step in the right direction.
But believe me I suffer my social anxiety and depression, and I know it's not easy, well actually I should stop saying that, because it's easier then we think, what is easy and hard those words are especially used by people with social anxiety and linked depression because of motivational problems associated with it, getting over social anxiety and depression those words should completely removed from the dictionary IMO.


Edited by Acid_Raindrops (07/17/09 07:26 PM)


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OfflinePowerTrip
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: J3illy]
    #10718485 - 07/21/09 11:57 PM (14 years, 6 months ago)

Quote:

J3illy said:
Quote:

DoctorJ said:
I used to get this a lot.  Its a sign of telepathic ability. 

Your psychic abilities are so powerful that they are difficult to control.

Thats why being psychic sucks; you can hear all the negative shit these people are thinking about you.  Kind of makes you want to lock yourself indoors and ball up in a corner, doesn't it? 



Dude if you really believe this, you are schizophrenic..

And to the OP - you honestly need to go see a Dr. and get on some medication..



I don't think it's psychic ability.  It's more a heightened awareness of other people's expressions and vibe.  It's a normal mind process that everyone has but some people are too conscious of it.  Instead of conversing with people you are constantly reading them.

I have had social anxiety for most of my life.  I recently began using Wellbutrin and it definitely makes me more socially comfortable and outgoing.  I really don't give a fuck about what anyone thinks anymore.


--------------------
I spit reality, instead of what you usually learn
and I refuse to be concerned with condescending advice
cause I'm the only motherfucker that can change my life


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InvisibleStonehenge
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: PowerTrip]
    #10722366 - 07/22/09 06:17 PM (14 years, 6 months ago)

The best thing is to take a multi-pronged approach. Get enough exercise, eat a good diet, avoid junk food and sugar, take a multivitamin and perhaps other supplements too and find activities. Sitting around by yourself is not going to help. Getting out and becoming involved in things that include other people will help.

As for drugs, pot doesn't seem to help with that but phenibut is good for occasional social anxiety. But you can't take it every day or very often or the effect wear off and you become dependent on it. Things that may help and don't produce dependence include inositol, l theanine, and a few other things. Fish oil helps many people in the long run but you have to take it a while. It's not take it tonight and feel it tomorrow.


--------------------
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835)

Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755


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InvisibleEternalCowabunga
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Stonehenge]
    #10725253 - 07/23/09 03:10 AM (14 years, 6 months ago)

edit: on second thought, people who posted before me had good advice


--------------------


Edited by EternalCowabunga (07/23/09 03:13 AM)


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OfflineRakshasa
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Stonehenge]
    #10725993 - 07/23/09 09:21 AM (14 years, 6 months ago)

Wow! I totally understand what you mean there. I just did a post about anxiety then saw this one.

I don't converse with people, but read their facial expressions all the time. You say Mushrooms caused this, and this is what I've started to believe. Is there anyway to make this way of seeing things go away? maybe it would be handy to have them if I was a psychiatrist or whatever, but normal day life it starts to get very annoying.

I was thinking of maybe trying a mushroom trip again, either on my own or with a friend I'm comfortable with, which is quite rare so probably on my own (never done that before) in an attempt to change the way I see things...

What did you do to start thinking 'I don't care what people think of me' or whatever. As I say I don't care, but I think I actually really do. I more or less don't want people to find out I have anxiety and other 'mental' problems.


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OfflineEtherealfeeling
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: IamHungry]
    #10726009 - 07/23/09 09:25 AM (14 years, 6 months ago)

social anxiety disorder blows... I can relate... unfortunately.


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Offlinedieselkush
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #10726241 - 07/23/09 10:30 AM (14 years, 6 months ago)

i know how you feel. I get anxiety bad, I cant even talk on the phone.  whenever I have to call someone my heart starts racing and mind blanks out. when im in public I always feel like im being watched. even when im in my room alone, I have the curtens drawn. when ever im caught off guard by someone asking a question in public I get real nervous and my heart races, sometime It gets to where I dont realize im twitching my fingers or bobbing my head up and down. I look like ive got epilepsy or some shit. Ive lost alot of chances with women because of my anxiety attacks. I rarely go out in public anymore, and when I do ive got a pear that goes with me. it eases my nerves having someone ive known for years talking with me in public. even when people look at me, I get real nervous and look a way or stand there. and when im standing there my neck gets real jerky and im always taping my fingers together in my pockets.
dont get me started with women, if I like a girl I get real nervous and anxious, and that mixed with being shy and anxiety attacks.


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OfflineGinseng1
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Re: Social Anxiety [Re: IamHungry]
    #10726478 - 07/23/09 11:37 AM (14 years, 6 months ago)

I found what helped me was instead of 'caring' what others people think of me, was to take the approach and 'tell' them what to think of me.  I achieve these results by controlling myself from the clothes that I wear, my haircut, the way that I carry myself, the way that i speak, and the way that I am.  I am mostly conscious of all these things. 

Instead of just being an unrefined unpolished and awkward version of myself and afraid of how I will be perceived, I bring my inner-self into an exterior representation of how I want others to perceive me.  So it's a mix of who I am deep down inside, with a 'scoailly' compatible version of me that can function nicely in almost all social situations.

By learning how to do this, I am able to speak whats on my mind, as long as I deliver it properly, with the right tone of voice, speed, and intention.  All of these things, I am conscious of for the most part.

So what exactly is the purpose of controlling these things?  You are able, for the most part, to be in control of what people are going to be receiving from you.  What exactly they perceive from you is another question, BUT, you are able to reduce the discrepancies between what you want people to see in you, and what they actually do.  Alot of times, I deliver myself a certain way that I want to, and I get great results from it.  Almost as if the people that are listening to me, and perceiving me exactly as I had planned it.  Diabolical, yes.

I have made great relationships because of this and have impressed many people.  Usually older people receive me very well.  My best friend is 35 years old and I am only 22.  Before this, I did not how to put sentences together confidently enough.  So I just never spoke.  I used to be fucking quiet man.

That was in the past.  This is now.  And I am all about talking.

Make any sense?

The goal here is to be in control of yourself and your character.  If you are afraid of what people think, it is because you are not in control of your mind, and if your not in control of your mind how are you going to be in control of your character?

You just have to mature to a point where you are in control of how you carry yourself and speak to others instead of just living by default and being afraid.

Start to imagine HOW you want people to perceive you, how you want to look and sound to others, and start executing.


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Flowing through beginningless time since time without beginning...


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OfflineJoisnut
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Registered: 05/14/18
Posts: 3
Last seen: 5 years, 8 months
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: AA2277]
    #25213967 - 05/19/18 05:06 AM (5 years, 8 months ago)

Hi! I've read recently that some substances that have been considered as dangerous or even narcotic ones can help treating mental disorders. Let's take hemp for example. All teenagers know that marijuana is dangerous but if we take hemp oil, it turns out that it can be used as medication https://cbdreamers.com/cbd-oil-for-anxiety-and-depression to treat anxiety and depression. I wonder how it works and if there is curing effect at all. What do you think?


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Offlinescarecrow3004
Tryptamine Explorer
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Registered: 04/30/12
Posts: 60
Last seen: 10 months, 4 days
Re: Social Anxiety [Re: Joisnut]
    #25215859 - 05/20/18 04:55 AM (5 years, 8 months ago)

I hope you’re okay dude. I care about you and wish you all the best in facing such an overwhelming challenge. It must feel like utter hell. I can’t imagine how lonely you would feel. Just know that at least one person out there in this world cares about you and doesn’t think that you are abnormal. You’ve just been given an overwhelming challenge, and I’m sure it will take everything you’ve got to find a way out. Maybe try seeking help from other people who have had similar experiences.

Lots of love ❤️


--------------------
“The syntactical nature of reality, the real secret of magic, is that the world is made of words. And if you know the words that the world is made of, you can make of it whatever you wish.”

“The imagination is the goal of history. I see culture as an effort to literally realize our collective dreams.”
― Terence McKenna


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