TOPIC: What helps you to fix Social Anxiety

like when you have a presentation at school or at work (or when you are around unknown people in general)
you start stressing and your stomach hurts ...ect

for real what do you do to get rid of that, i'll appreciate all your ideas

i avoid interaction

(i dont get forced to do presentations)

I usually grabbed my pen and like played with it when I had to presentate

Wouldn't know what to tell you, for me it completely dropped once I grew older and started taking care of myself. Hit the gym and take care of yourself. Granted, it's a long process but it'll make you feel better overall. But if it's deeper than that and you have some serious anxiety I wouldn't know where to begin.

ronaldmarc2009 wrote:
sometimes you have the choice, and sometimes you don't (for example the presentation might have a huge benefit on your career or something like that)
like you want to do it but you cant

DoS. That is more of hard to get to knwo how to help social anxiety. I switch from intorvert to extrovert when needed. I mainly stick to myself but you know. It's hard to deal with for me.
Advice from me. Try speaking in front of your parents. It's better than just not talking to anyone but yourself.

Don't stress too much about what other people see from you, just know that you're there to present something and once that is out of the way, you'll realise that it wasn't such a big deal after all. It does take a bit of balls to present in front of people, more especially if you do not know those people but at the end of the day you'll be alright and nothing can really go too wrong (id hope its not THAT bad).

and yeah hit the gym, ever since I started going, it's given me a massive confidence boost and I almost never feel as anxious as I used to in the past, which is not just limited to social situations. It's also very healthy to stay in good shape and you'll genuinely feel better as a person which is a contributing factor to being more outgoing and having less anxiety.

I'm very often in this situation being a musician. I need to play in front of randos that may or may not actually listen to me very often, so what I do is I'd imagine I'm playing for only one single person, you decide who before starting. It works

DoSpiiR wrote:
Working out, learning to straighten your shoulders (figuratively too, not just literally). Know that your classmates are also human, so stop looking at them like some sort of gods that judge whether you get to live or not lol.

Armarni wrote: Although this is good advice, it is much easier said than done for a lot of people.
I used to have social anxiety 24/7 when I was younger, but then I just came to realize that all that anxiety is temporary and the possible hate from your classmates, 'friends' or whatever is too, to the point of it just being my normal state of mind. Just remind yourself that hate is temporary and the things you enjoy or appreciate doing will stay with you much longer and even permanently. So don't let anxiety or hate stop you from doing something you enjoy. And especially not something that will propel your education or career forward.

Well from personal experience just embrace it and push through it as much as you can, Try your best to avoid negative thoughts about yourself. Don’t stress about how you look or how you think people are looking at you, sometimes they really aren’t, just breathe.

Agebt wrote:

I am so happy you're brave enough to make a thread like this, we should normalize as much as possible the fact that many of us struggle with mental illnesses or stuff like that.

I have been diagnosed with anxiety most of my life, early on when I was a child. I have seen a professional a couple of times when it was needed, and of course researched it a lot, and worked on it by myself too.

Personally with social anxiety, if I have a presentation or etc, I like to practice beforehand. It doesn't have to be perfect but it's good to know what you're about to present. Also, I have learned that it's good to try and maintain eye contact with several people while giving the presentation - if you have friends in your class that helps.

However, speaking generally, there's a few things you can do to improve your anxiety. -
- Working out - actually increases dopamine hormones in your brain! and it'll make you look better so... self esteem boost!
- Eating healthier - better nutrients allow your body to function better aswell, and keeps you physically healthier, which reduces some part of your anxiety, and can make you more confident too.
- Clean your environment - being in a messy environment all the time can be harmful in the long run because you won't get used to getting your shit together.
- Surround yourself with GOOD people - "When the character of a man is unclear to you, look at his friends" - if you surround yourself with good supportive people, you'll strive to improve yourself and work on yourself, and you'll probably refrain from some social activities that can spark your anxiety and get you into trouble.
- Take care of yourself - you can always make sure you look nice and maintain it. Get haircuts regularly, keep your nails healthy, TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN, go get treatments if needed.
- Words of affirmation - Be nicer to yourself, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you look good, that you're talented, force yourself to smile and fix your posture - it is an old technique to trick your brain into thinking you're more confident. Basically fake it till you make it.
- Experience - You have to take part in some things in life in order to get better. Personally I have been working since the age of 15, and I worked as a barmaid, a waitress and as a general worker in a 5 star hotel, I have worked at an ice skating rink in the biggest mall in my city, and now I am a receptionist at a spa line. So, I've got quite a bit of experience with people, and honestly, practice makes perfect. At this point I can easily read people, notice patterns, and etc - communication became easier over the years.
- And last but not least... tell yourself, that it is ok - You're not alone. Millions of people feel the way you do, and it is normal. It is ok. You're not expected to be perfect, and many of us, if not most, are nervous when it comes to social stuff. You will only get better at it with age, as you get to experience more things and meet more people you will interact with. It's all going to be fine.

I personally struggle with panic attacks aswell, but this works for anxiety too:
If you're feeling overwhelmed, like you're about to panic; take deep breaths, and try finding things you can touch, smell, sense, see... This trick sort of puts you back on your ground, before you lose control fully. It is not a miracle fix but it can help a lot! I have been using this technique for years now, and I would say I became pretty good at dealing with people.

I take medication.

MsRevine wrote: I really appreciate the time and effort you took to write this, I really do as much as the other's ideas. I already feel better and i feel like im "ready" to re-face this situation just by reading. Thanks again

Agebt wrote: Swedish people so weak smh.
Just be yourself.
Don't overthink to much, If you feel things are becoming to much, take a breather.
Praying to God, always help.

xDutchCat wrote: How do you consistently spew moronic shit.
Being nervous and anxiety are not the same things.

Also you a good cookie revine

Armarni wrote: although I do respect the more brutal way of looking out for things like this, other people may not be able to have that outlook to yours and it may take courage to do so which is what I and other suggested in previous posts