Has anybody experienced social anxiety or currently experiencing? I am currently experiencing to the point where it is physically causing pain In my body where I am experiencing a pins and needles feeling throughout my body What is the best way to overcome i am trying to stop caring so much about what people think about me because I usually assume they are thinking something negative I am just struggling in this Area
I have social anxiety. Do you think that everyone is looking or staring at you when your outside? When I was still in treatment for social anxiety my psychologist gave me homework and it was to look all around me and look at people when im outside. And I got a big shock to see that nobody was actually staring at me at all. But because of the social anxiety I had usually tried to avoid eye contact and keep my head down. And I really believed that lots of people, if not all people were looking and staring. After doing that piece of homework a few times, I could then walk down the street and it felt like a weight lifted, because I now knew that actually, nobody is looking or staring. Sometimes someone will look or stare of course, because im not invisible haha..but they are probably wondering what they are cooking for their dinner later, or something else. When I kept doing this homework, I realised hardly anyone actually ever looks at me at all. And if the odd person does look at me, I remind myself im also looking at them, and it doesn't mean anything. Im too busy with my own day and tasks to get done
Yes I always feel like people are staring at me and I freeze up and suddenly don't know how to be myself. But I'm working on self expression
@Anonymous Just know your not alone, I can relate to everything your saying. Social Anxiety is really difficult..dont give up..things can get easier in time 🤗
@Anonymous A book my psychologist recommended about social anxiety - overcoming social anxiety and shyness by Gillian Butler. Ive not read it yet...also the happiness trap by Russ Harris - another book she recommended. I remember hearing that people with social anxiety feel like they are objects...i copy pasted next bit from Google People with social anxiety often feel "objectified" because hyper-awareness and intense fear of judgment can lead to depersonalization or dissociation. When in high-stress social settings, individuals may mentally detach from their bodies, viewing themselves from the outside as a passive, clumsy, or flawed object rather than a participating human being. There is more on Google you might find helpful
Gosh I resonate with this so much! It’s definitely a difficult feeling, but what’s helped me is hearing that people constantly have thoughts and feelings that are from things completely independent of you. Or another idea that’s helped is the fact that social anxiety tends to over exaggerate your role in peoples lives and situations. Reminding yourself that a persons thoughts are influenced by so many more things than just you can be useful!!! I know words aren’t a magical cure, but I hope this can at least offer some help. You’re not alone in this 💓💓
I have social anxiety and ocd. My Dr and therapist said some of the social anxiety can be ocd. I have a hard time walking down the hall at work because I'm afraid people are talikg about me. I get knots in my stomach. I can have a really hard time at restaurants. It's difficult. Some days are better than others. Meditation helps but not 100%
Medication not meditation
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