If you’ve suffered from social anxiety in the past, how did you get over it?

Question

Or if you currently suffer with it, what ways do you cope with it?

Rania05 · Accepted Answer

I got right of a sizeable portion of it by now, I just did it naturally. Change of environment from private to public school was flustering but to protect myself from jokes, light bullying, I became more defensive after breaking down in tears as I cursed them for being barbarians. I got friends at highschool who are troublemakers but overall good kids that opened new doors when I was hesitating, they encouraged me. Being an introvert itself can lead to misunderstands and every time I figures out the reason behind false impression I left in some, I felt absurd and that pushed me into showing my talkative side when it seems right. Information absorption is good too, everyone like to share what they like, having so much to be passionate about can makes one cheerful.

Just two years ago, my mom took me to therapist because she felt I was too indifferent while waiting for my test results (I just didn't bother to care since I already did the exam so whatever is the result, life will go on) and my social anxiety was revealed in report as expected, but the therapist also mentioned I was dealing with my problem the right way and that it's good I'm not rejection social interaction much but the sensitivity I built from childhood is something I'm gradually overcoming on my own.

If one wants to heal from something they would always grasp each chance to get over it as a life-saving charm.

P. S: I'm actually 17, not 37

stellamint · Accepted Answer

I tackled the real reason why I have social anxiety. It usually stems from a lack of self-esteem, self-worth or/and self-love. Most people experience social anxiety because we consciously or unconsciously place others on a pedestal and feel inferior to them. We're afraid of being judged, embarrassed, or being imperfect. When I worked on these things, I became way more comfortable around people. I stopped caring what others think of me, and it removed a lot of the anxiety. And I started knowing my worth, and what I brought to the table.

Xylem1992 · Accepted Answer

I did. I still do but I has become much easier.

Growing up, I was the shiest kid ever. I used to dread public speaking. I remember once in high school we had to deliver an oral presentation for the English class. The teacher was calling our names by random. I remember each time he went over his list, I felt like I was going to die. Luckily, I was one of the last to be called. I got to see many of my classmates go up there. I learned from the ones that were good and realized there are also people who get nervous and shaky way worse than I do.

So I would say:

A-you're not alone in feeling anxious, A LOT of other people experience it too.

B-Take a deep breath. Pause for a second. Anxiety is just rooted in anticipation. let your mind go blank for second, or distracted at least.

C-Break each situation, into small steps. For example I just thought "All I need to do is to get up and walk there, that's it", "All I have to do now, is to get my papers ready" etc. It worked for me. I got perfect score in English that year and every year after until I graduated.

D-Nobody is perfect.

SamIam96 · Accepted Answer

I have good insurance and I've been seeing a psychiatrist for mine for years. Talking with her helps me find ways to behave in stressful situations that aren't obvious to me.

When I know I'm going to be in an anxious situation, I can cope for a while, but it's mentally exhausting. I plan for ahead for a way to remove myself. One thing that works for me is to plan a conflicting event so that I can leave before I get stressed. I tactfully tell people at the beginning so we can make the most of our time together. Then, I apologize and leave when I start getting stressed.

Unfortunately, sometimes people with social anxiety drink more alcohol than is healthy. It lowers inhibitions. That can be a good thing, but other side effects are problematic.

You're welcome to DM me if you'd like to talk more.

Topaz1979 · Answer

One thing I did was to start looking at people's faces when I'm in public, don't look at the floor, when you look at the floor you'll create anxiety in your mind but when you look at people you'll see that they are like you, they are just people living their lives and trying their best to survive 😊.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

You just got to learn to deal with it. I hate giving this answer because I know it's hard to "just do" anything someone is experiencing anxiety about already. It's more about just getting comfortable with the worst cases. Like for a dude afraid to talk to chicks, has has to get over it and not feel bad about something as dumb as outright rejection.

IveGotNoName · Answer

I'm really bad at handling it lately. I go all blank and isolate myself and I can't talk to anyone, I can't even answer them when they ask what's wrong. The only way I can really deal with it, is to not go to social events when I feel "on edge", or to at least leave the event as I feel it coming on.

Anonymous · Answer

I still have some social anxiety left, but It's much lesser than before.

What helped me was when I went to college last year and started speaking up more, asking questions, answering questions, practicing peer support, trying to talk more with my classmates, etc... Overall, engaging more in class and putting myself out of my comfort zone.

Just so you have some grasp of my social anxiety extent, there were always these parents reviews at college.

And my teacher would always say that everything was fine, only thing is that I didn't communicate with anyone and would always be isolated. She'd say that I needed to speak up more XD.

So, with this in mind my teachers actually helped me. As they knew I needed to build my confidence, they'd put me in 'out of my comfort zone' situations, let's say...

That was mentally exhausting, but I'm glad I did all of those things. Had I not gone through it, I wouldn't even be able to ask a question in class.

NottaNatty · Answer

I still do but not as bad anymore. I just hit such a low in my life that I completely stopped caring what others thought of me, so I think it kinda blocked my anxiety form recalculating all my responses, which kind of build up my confidence enough to see that socializing was easier when you don't think as much and can shut off the internal dialogue.

Jay3344 · Answer

Immersion and repetition of good practice. Little by little get immersed in good social interactions and slowly build up confidence and reduce anxiety. It works really well. Also whatever activities cause you anxiety when not in social interactions, try and reduce those.

art84 · Answer

I took speech in college and it helped to get in front of people and giving speech's. I still get nervous but it's not as bad as in my 20s. I actually started going out to the movies with my nephews when they were little years ago. I never been to the movies alone and it wasn't bad. I think there is some people who can't handle crowds and I understand that. I think you just have to stop worrying if possible and not over think things. I know I would worry a lot but there's things that you can't control in life. Hope things get better for you.

slatyb · Answer

I did, and I don't so much anymore. I stopped worrying about whether people liked me and just started asking people's names when I met them.

ChillaxingLove · Answer

It helps to have a close friend you’re comfortable around to always be with you in social settings

Daniela1982 · Answer

You don't get over it. I've had it for years and there seems to be no cures.

TwinFace · Answer

It gets better with time. U will get to the point in life where u will say to urself "u can't be this way forever or u will get nowhere in life". Life isn't meant to be easy. Gotta try and get outta ur comfortzone once, thats the only way u will get through life.

Sandeeppingping · Answer

By doing what you fear doing, so basically you have social anxiety, then put yourself un social situations and talk regardless of how scared or how your heart feels like it's building a wall in your chest, do it regardless that's the only way to face whatever you fear, by doing it

Still-alive · Answer

Yes. I went on a 2 year midlife crisis with suicidal attempts to get over mine. Sorry but i do NOT under any circumstances recommend the way i did it.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Pills and change in diet is what helped some

Shayyyy1 · Answer

Went out and socailized more i'd volunteer mpre for stuff. Whenbi got overwhelmedni'd take a break, the just do it mentality kinda helped a lot.

melaniee789456123 · Answer

To be really honest, I never fully got over it. However, some things that I have found to be helpful is to try and be more confident or speak more while you're in front of a smaller audience and slowly increase the amount of people in your audience.

Anonymous · Answer

I decided I had enough and forced myself to greet and/or strike up a conversation with any person I was in the immediate vicinity. Being in college kinda helped too because asking people about their major and why they picked it is an easy ice-breaker

AsaKyo · Answer

I still suffer from it, have been since I was a teenager.

My only solution is to just try and not think about things too much in a public setting. Easier said than done, I know, but you just have to try.

Jeansnowstarkbastard · Answer

I suffered it for years and still do. But it has gotten better.
I can still go op to people and ask their names and talk with them for a while.
I prefer to not to that but i force myself to speak to at least 1 new person everyday.
It helps te keep trying no matter how much you have improved.

Blackcupcake · Answer

uhmmm kind of, but not really…  that’s a confusing answer, I know but it’s true! and the only way to deal with it for me was to expose myself to what was creating that anxiety…

shanshu · Answer

I realized I had to accept the way I felt and I didn't feel like anyone wanted to be my friends or wanted to chat to me but I realised that wasn't the case when they started talking to me and new my fear of socialising was more in my head

JSmuve · Answer

Not sure if I have social anxiety but I just have this paralyzing sense of doubt when I want to talk to someone (i. e. attractive girl) when other people are around. There's no real sense of panic; just an inability to act and I can't seem to get past it. If someone talks to me, I can talk back without issue. But I have this ingrained belief that I'm just bothering them and they'd rather be left alone.

Kreneman · Answer

Seeking positive knowledge and education yourself about the issue plus analyzing yourself where you need to be strength and improvement.

Vendela · Answer

I'm still coping with it today, but most the time it's just because I was forced into those situations that I eventually get used to them.

QuietVerbena · Answer

I never had it that bad but I forced myself to be less shy through sheer willpower

Staximus · Answer

I used to not have it, then I did for a while. I work at a live music bar and am surrounded by a lot of people all the time and I had to get over it haha

nomandik · Answer

Well I don't know exactly how you would get over it but I could think of one way to get over it fast no matter how uncomfortable it might be have sex with a complete stranger that you just met it might be very uncomfortable at first but once you get into it it won't be no more it'll start feeling good and sooner or later you'll be over that social anxiety and I volunteered to be your first victim

Agape93 · Answer

I developed worse issues, so now basic anxiety doesn't do much

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

Honestly just get in small group settings. Not like crazy parties or anything, but just tag along with a small group of friends that know eachother really well. All you have to do is listen in and you can learn the mechanics of conversation and grow comfortable with them

Anonymous · Answer

Reached the conclusion that I'd never be enough for some people. So I finally said, f*** it! And just stopped caring altogether. You get that way when you reach a certain age I think.

EaterPeter · Answer

Self help books. 1 2 3 rule. Try making new friends. Try to talk with strangers. Say hi give smile wave. Make small talks or long.

Jdohtvtbt · Answer

Its still here but once i bwcame homeless in a shelter i had to get a jobs and had to go work customer service or work in stores with a lot of people almost daily.. But yea i still have anxiety but i think for a lot of times you just dont focus on it and just do what u gotta do. Just go to work.

Makeushiver · Answer

When I was a freshman in high school I frequently had it. I changed high schools the following year and vowed I would have a better role in the second HS. It worked wonederfully

AssholeNumberOne · Answer

LOONG story. To make it short, I just went for it and talked to people. Doing it too quickly to care about the outcome.

Sonorous · Answer

I had to really work on having compassion for myself.

sattii1987 · Answer

You can practice by speaking in public, having a mentor who is a good orator and social being.

MysticDevice · Answer

Loud and aggressive music works better than anything else I've tried.

KittyBox · Answer

Bold of you to assume I got over it. I still have it, but I no longer need to act upon it.

Alex8736 · Answer

My biggest social anxiety is personal space especially when you are somewhere that is not crowded and you have people with their head up their ass walking right into you

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

Haven't. I just roll with it. There's been times where I spoke to "large" groups and surprisingly kept my anxiety under control. Still get nervous every damn time.

BJP21 · Answer

I have my 420 friends to thank for that... JK. Stepping out of the social norm is the healthiest thing you can do.

Part2603 · Answer

Burn every bridge, end all your existing social relationships and start over new.

Heolurt · Answer

Have it and I'm better with it.

Jamesshinobi · Answer

you just do. there are worse things then death and all of them start with being a scared little bitch.

dustybiker · Answer

Facing it. With a doctor for guidance.

Blackmamba5061 · Answer

I stay inside my house and my jobs all don't require me to be around a bunch of people.

Intothevoid666 · Answer

Lifting weights is what did it for me I think and alcohol lol

moviedude714 · Answer

Reminds me how my mindset has changed on this

BLP11520 · Answer

I struggle with it but not as bad, I lacked confidence when younger.

Rockstarrrrr · Answer

I promise I'll tell you when I do lol

MrJMM · Answer

Suffering. Never got over it.

Vanidal · Answer

Exposure therapy and acceptance of necessity.

ProVox · Answer

Marijuana

TonightYouu · Answer

Booze

ZenJen444 · Answer

I just go out. What's the worst that could happen?

Zolly99999 · Answer

Medication 💊.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

I didn't but do you suffer from it

dinojames22 · Answer

Force myself to be uncomfortable

If you’ve suffered from social anxiety in the past, how did you get over it?

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