How to deal with social anxiety disorder?

how do i handle social anxiety disorder with panic attacks? how are you supposed to handle any social situation with this disorder?

The main way to combat social anxiety disorder, as with most, if not all, of the anxiety disorders is utilising Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) (and in combination with meds is usually a good idea at first too).

Exposure therapy basically works like this.. You think of a list of situations which make you anxious.. You rate them in terms of how anxious they make you feel from best - worst.. and then you work on them ,starting at the least anxiety provoking, you start to do those things- this may be asking a stranger for the time, right up to asking someone if they'd like to go to a movie with you..etc.. And basically you complete these tasks, you feel the anxiety and you also realise that the anxiety fades with time, until you are desensitised.

Utilise this in combination with CBT - that is looking at you rthoughts - why do you feel anxious abt social situations?

Social situation --> thought ---> Response (anxiety)

So if you can alter the thought to a more functional thought, you can also alter the response, so it is no longer anxiety.

i.e. I see a good looking guy -> he will think I am stupid if i tlak to him --> anxiety and avoidance..

v.s.

I see him --> what have i got to lose talking to him, who cares what he thinks, he's not worth it if he judges so fast --> calm enough to talk to him...

That is in it's most simplistic terms.. If your Social Anxiety is really a huge issue and impacting on your life then consider seeing a Psychologist to work on it - and you'll probably utilise the techniques above.

Good luck!! :) Source(s): Honours degree in psychology, TOP Support Groups.

be your self do be something u not if poeple dont like it tough luck
Paxil for long term and for an immediate relief Clonenzapam really helps to mellow you out. If you have someone to talk to like a best friend that is always a option. Try to make yourself busy to get your mind off of things. All of these help me get by
i also have this!! it drives me nuts b/c i have social anxiety. You just have tp forget what people think, and do whats best for you. Don't be scared, because each day we live soon depends a memeroy
there are meds like clonazapam and xanax to deal with this ,paxil an anti-depressant is a good one for this kind of thing, talk to your dr about getting on one of these to ease your worries about whats going on
Its all in your head. Visualize yourself in a social situation being very calm. Now convince yourself it can be and will be done. Don't think about it. Don't let any negative thoughts in your head. Convince you self its all in your head. Nothing is stopping you except you.

But you are in controll over your anxiety, not the other way around. You need to realize that. Beat this into your head. And make steady progress.