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've struggled with severe anxiety and have been very isolated the past few years. I am now starting to go back into the social world and talk with friends and stuff, but it's been so hard. I have two waves of anxiety: the feelings and the thoughts. I feel super unsafe and my heart beats fast and my face gets red, that part I've mainly dealt with and I know ways to cope through it. The thoughts however I do not. After every interaction with someone, I feel as if I've totally failed. I have always been a quieter person but now with this severe anxiety hanging over me, it's hard to even say a word without a storm of negative thoughts about myself. It's like I feel like I need to be saying more or need to be funnier or more entertaining, but every word I do say is a complete hassle and I beat myself up for. It's like I can't do anything right. Does anyone have any tips or advice or does anyone relate? It's really hard and makes me feel hopeless.
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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.
You are definitely not alone. Social anxiety is a beast I've struggled with my entire life. It still plagues me at age 66. When I can get myself to speak at all, I often end up with verbal diarrhea which makes me regret having tried at all. It is better to keep my mouth shut than to babble like an idiot.
I'm still no social super star but I feel much better since I quit beating myself up over it. I use positive affirmations to help me build my self-esteem so that I can love and accept myself just the way I am. Being more comfortable socializing remains pretty high on my wish list, but it helps to be comfortable with the one person whose company I can't escape: me.
Having a safe place to sort and share about my social anxiety also helps allot. I hope you will feel safe sorting and sharing about ^it^ here.
Welcome aboard. You are not alone.
Say three positive things for every negative thing. Write out three positive things for every negative thing.
Start doing when you are thinking - even breathing, relaxing the shoulders. Practice in front of mirror until you can feel the confidence you see. That will help you stay focused 'in the moment'.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.
I just want to let you know you aren’t alone even a little bit. You can’t begin to understand how many people doubt themselves day and night 24/8! I do myself. I struggle in social isituations to the point that I’ll make up excuses to miss them! This is on a daily basis. Is there anyone in your life who can help you with this? Anyone who builds you up, gives you even the slightest bit of confidence? Look, just keep working on it. Set goals for yourself, whatever they are. When you go to the gas station, ask the person at the counter how his or her day is going. Set these small goals for yourself so that you can start to build up a sense of self-esteem. Believe me though, you aren’t alone.