I've been wanting a job for a while now but have bad social anxiety. A job called back and I'm so nervous even though I need the money. Anybody with social anxiety relate? What do you do to calm yourself down?

jlalew

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 5y

That’s great news though! I hope you are proud to have gotten a call back.

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

Do you want long or short term strategies?

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

And congratulations ?

Lina

Date posted: 5y

Short-term for right now

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

@Lina Drinking cold water through a straw usually helps calm my body. And breathing as if I'm blowing bubbles

Lina

Date posted: 5y

@NOCD Advocate - Katie Thank you what about some long-term strategies?

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

@Lina Intentionally go into social settings that make you anxious and stay in them until the fear fades. The best thing I ever did for my social anxiety was take a public speaking class. I was miserable at at first, but by the end of the semester, I'd made a ton of progress

Lina

Date posted: 5y

@NOCD Advocate - Katie It is easier said than done though. I've struggled with this for years and while I've tried to remain calm when put in a situation that triggers my social anxiety it nevers works and I just panic more having to leave the situation.

ocdillustrated

Date posted: 5y

I appreciate how hard it is. I spent years completely not talking at school. It helped me to remove the expectation of remaining calm. As long as I was in the social setting, that was a win, no matter how anxious I felt. And you can do a hierarchy too, start with less difficult tasks and get used to them before trying more difficult oned

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