Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hi I'm new to the whole support group thing. I struggle with social anxiety a lot. I always feel out of place or like I'm not wanted. It's gotten to a point where I find it difficult to even hold eye contact with another person. I try to be approachable and talkative but I always sike myself out and end up acting awkward and in turn making the other person feel as if I don't like them. I've been feeling worse since lockdown has started. I don't know what to do with myself and I'm always around people now which makes me feel more nervous. I'd just like to hear from someone who is possibly going through a similar situation, and maybe even get motivation that things will get better.
Thank you for listening.
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
Second, I used to feel like this. I’ve gotten a better grip on my social anxiety by just looking it in the eye and saying “f**k you, I’m having a good time”.
If you feel out of place, try to rationalize that feeling, instead of letting it take hold of you. Like, “so what if I’m awkward, I’m not the first awkward person ever”.
If you’ve never been a big talker, ease yourself into it. It takes two to carry a conversation, don’t put all of the pressure on yourself. Give yourself a break, because most likely, the other person is feeling the same way.
You are you. You are awesome. You are going to stumble upon some people who are either the same way you are, or accepting of who you are, or people who are real asses.
Don’t ever let a few asses, or the thought of being yourself stop from any experience.
You got this, it takes time!!!
Peace and love.
40 years of psychotherapy have barely put a dent in my social anxiety. Socializing within the New Normal of Coronaville is? ? ? Well. . . Socializing isn't even legal in Coronaville, so that is one less thing for me to worry about, at least for now.
My social anxiety is still a mean force in my life, but I have found ways to live with ^it^ more peacefully and even enjoy some loving and/or respectful relationships with other humans. I still spend most of my time with plants and animals, but at least I don't turn into a defensive bowl of jello when other humans are present. Maybe someday that will even be true with masked humans. I'd prefer not, but God's Will be done.
Peer support is one of my most important tools for managing my social anxiety. I am praying live support will once more be legal someday, but for now, here we are. Vent freely. Vent often. You are not alone.
Welcome aboard. Hope you find stabilizing companionship here.
Stop. Pause. Breathe.
Separate your sentences and write out feelings, words, and thoughts about each sentence.
Practice standing in front of a mirror until you can feel the confidence in your appearance and practice relaxation techniques so you can feel the comfort level you need to be calm.
Take time to look at people, just be in the moment.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.
These days though, I've been feeling a lot of anxiety for a totally different reason...my work has been way too much and overwhelmed me beyond my limit. Anyway, I think you reaching out to other people here is a great start. Are you getting in touch with people online? Maybe it's a good way to ease your way into a more face to face scenario. I don't know, I always find chatting with friends online and make new friends while playing games helped a lot. Half of my friends now I met in some kind of online game. It definitely helped me grow my social circle and eventually able to approach people face to face a bit easier.