Social anxiety/awkwardness

[Garden Man]

For the win!

It's a hard thing to live with, but we all have our flaws, and we all hate them just as much as the next person. I understand your pain, believe me, and I'm sure people who poke fun on the lounge know exactly what you're going through. Unfortunately, this will never completely go away. But, the good news is, there is way you can help yourself and relieve yourself of some of the depression, guilt, and all the negative feelings. First off, like the aforementioned exercise and therapist is the best start. The therapist will help you cope, and try and find the root cause of the problem. Also, speaking with a therapist will help you relieve yourself of these negative feelings through talking, and to someone who understands and won't ridicule you for it. Believe me, talking to a therapist will help you. Exercise will help you too. A walk in the park, 30 minutes a day will clear your head and improve your cognition. Riding your bike, going for a swim, whatever makes you feel comfortable. Also, try finding different activities and hobbies which keep you busy and give you a feeling of control, such as reading books pertaining to your interests, and nurturing those interests, joining online games, excelling in school, whatever.
On another note, a healthy diet is also extremely important. Get as many vitamins as you can, and try and abstain from junk food. You'll find when you get everything your body needs you'll feel a lot better.

And finally, the most important: STAY POSITIVE
That's the best you can do, staying positive. Whatever has happened in the past, it's no good to think about that now. Live for now, and do what you can.
It might seem like a lot at first, but sign up for that therapist appointment, eat a good meal and go for a walk. Who cares if it's a 90 day wait, at least it will happen soon; and sooner is better than never.

Best of luck!
If you're still struggling after a long time, please, feel free to send me a pm.

 

[roadkill barbie]

I find my anxiety self help group really good,, alongside using valium strictly as and when needed,, excepting Im often happier alone and people wear me out sometimes is good to admit to.. I yoyo between using downer drugs and getting back in shape -so yeah the gym helps and the cinema- you know,, places where you can go out without having to be with anyone else? That kinda thing works for me,, oh and the meds of course,, in the UK finding decent CBT etc takes ages but counselling helped a bit,, but the self-help groups more. I volunteer some of my time as a befriender to a man with tougher mental health needs and it helps to know we're not the only ones and that our shared experiences can help others. Good luck bud.

 

[qwe]

someone mentioned desensitization and forcing yourself into social situations

this is definitely necessary to teach the brain that it's nothing to fear, yeah

but you really have to be ready. if you haven't learned the social norms and go in, you'll feel embarassed. and if you already are prone to anxiety, you'll dwell on it. anxiey = you can't get certain thoughts out of your head, and negative memories continue to effect you

so the whole thing can backfire, and this is what happens through one's whole life with social anxiety. everyone is always forced into social situations, and with anxiety you sometimes can't help but dwell on the more negative memories

simple solutions for anxiety are not to be found. and i'd just like to mention (i wish i knew this before i started daily), if you start daily valium or another benzo, you're not getting off without seriously disrupting every aspect of your life long term. plus obviously like opiates and other drugs they lose effectiveness, and eventually tolerance can overcome the actual effect and produce "paradoxical effects"