How do you deal with social phobia?

Question

zeitgeist057 · Accepted Answer

I don't have much of an issue with this. I will say any fear I have had in the past I probably eradicated it by forcing myself to face it in the most direct and/or brutal way possible. I'm a big fan of strength through adversity. It's not even a bad, painful, or otherwise negative thing for me, I enjoy it kind of the way one enjoys a tough workout and pushing really hard and feeling that pain and exhaustion.

One example I can think of, that is partially relatable to this question; I remember in college I would go to parties, as one does, and grab an alcoholic beverage right away, as one does, in order to loosen up and have a great time. I reflected at one point that I was in danger of being dependent on the alcohol's effect to "loosen me up" and make my experience an enjoyable one. So what I did was I identified all the positive things I felt alcohol provided for me, such as making me outspoken, talking and acting without self-doubt or thinking about it too much first, then I went to parties and didn't drink, but still acted the same way. More or less pretending like I was drunk (not as in trying to fool people and going around talking about how drunk I was while dead sober, but just as in taking the positive aspects of being drunk without actually drinking).

I would refill an empty bottle with water and just drink that all night, it was actually amazing how much I would refill the bottle and drink, I realized what an effect people drinking around you has, it really makes you want to take a drink quite often. I think I would drink 6-10 bottles worth of 12 oz each in a night!

Another example was when I was chosen to open for an improv show it struck me that one of the greatest fears an actor has is forgetting lines on stage and having an awkward silence. So I intentionally opened the show by standing awkwardly on the stage for a while (probably less than 60 seconds, but still I could feel the audience's anxiety).

Bhhahuanajhaunanaba · Accepted Answer

Momentum.

Start with other activities, and progress breeds progress.

Social anxiety is the fear of unpreparedness. If you’re doing nothing, it’s easier for your mind to validate that feeling. Start small hobbies, groups, jobs. The rest will follow

Apulu_3 · Accepted Answer

The best thing to overcome any fear is to face it. I mean get out of your comfort zone and try to socialize with people like randomly saying good morning to neighbors and all. Try to know the point why you have social phobia and just finish that point and the phobia is gone. It is not necessary that positive outcomes will come because you have mentioned phobia not fear but it have to happen if you try hard in it.

whirled_up_girl · Accepted Answer

I agree with the previous poster, for me it was purpursly putting myself in situations that took me out of my comfort zone, taking a class in speech, dance, acting, class voice, singing at a karaoke bar and activities where you have to interact a lot with people.

Mossberg500 · Answer

I don't, Adderall helped me for about a year, but the "outgoing effects" wore off. I'm happy to be the weird guy at work. I've found a strange sense of joy in it all. I've come to learn you can't hide it. You can mask it with doctor prescribed drugs for awhile.

Instead of fighting my mental disorder's I've learned to embrace them. Same with depression. Most of my depression I've learned to harness as anger. I say harness because I save that anger consciously for the moment I find a person who needs my righteous vengeance.

Zigzagwigwag · Answer

Ha, i stay in my safe space
My own world i contrusted in my mind and i go out with people i trust so i dont have to be alone
I usually get shy and nervous and feel like everyone is talking about me and judgeing me

dustybiker · Answer

Directly. Facing fear is the only way to overcome it. In my experience anyway.

Somegirl678 · Answer

treat it like an intrusive thought, dont entertain it or dwell on it. ignore it and distract your mind

Mikeysoda · Answer

Crack at it one piece at a time. Do something once a week to try to overcome the phobia. Such as... go to a store and say hi to 10 people once a week.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I believe Silent Intercessory prayer can help you calm down, it’s like meditation but attaches a personhood to the object of your thoughts.

Kkoalalita · Answer

Just know that nobody really gives a fuck! So just do what you wanna do.

RichSD · Answer

Realize that most the people you see every day feel exactly the same way. The trick is, fake it. That's what they're doing. You're not unusual, you're typical.

jshm2 · Answer

By being a fucking adult, and learning your place in the social order.

genericname85 · Answer

Phobias like this come from avoidance. The only way to reduce the issue is to stop avoiding and exposing yourself.

Anonymous · Answer

Realizing that most people don't care as much about the details than you might realize.

JustAnj · Answer

Wireless Headphones with music. 🥰

Anonymous · Answer

Strangers have been kinder to me than family members, so there's that.

Rangers · Answer

I get territorial and get people to leave me alone

EnglishEuropean · Answer

Exposure therapy I guess.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't leave my house! that's how I deal with it

Gwenhwyfar · Answer

I don’t have it

Hangry06 · Answer

You avoid people

Cubus · Answer

Face it. Go to the people and talk to them.

Anonymous · Answer

I go to the therapy

lovedejj_xo · Answer

Exposure

Anonymous · Answer

Was your dad in your life?

OddBeMe · Answer

dont deal socially

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