Crippling Social Anxiety...

[GNel80]

Hello all. Basically, its hard for me to leave my home. I feel unsafe, even at a Church. I try to expand my horizons, such as going on walks around the block. It works somewhat, but at times I hyper-ventilate, get scared and sweaty, and my stomach feels sick. As a result of my social anxieties, I do not like being around people, or noise. OCD plays a factor too, as I obsess frequently. Add to that being Scizoaffective, and I think you get the picture. I can't stay in control well.

I do take MANY MANY meds and have psych-talk therapy weekly. I a making some progress. Can anyone else relate? Any tips?

God bless.

Greg

 

[GNel80]

As a follow-up to my first post, I must add that my days, each day I live, seem like the same day, inside and out, almost like that movie Groundhog's Day, where Murray re-lives the same day over and over. Its upsetting, but by keeping this simple routine, strangely I find it gives me some control, but more anxiety, because time seems to be going VERY quick. Thus, I also now fear death, or both myself and others. Sorry for the rambling, just trying to vent. I'm trying to see where I fit in, in this crazy world. God bless.

 

[embracingmyanxiety]

Hey Greg,

I can definitely relate to the anxiety you feel when you go out. My issue was more specific to crowds that were gathered in a situation where it would be difficult or inconvenient to leave (a packed movie theatre always gets me).

You mentioned that you do weekly psych-talk therapy - have you ever talked to your counsellor about exposure therapy? That's what ended up helping me. You more or less learn how to relax (learning to belly breathe helped me a lot), and then slowly confront anxiety inducing situations in a safe way. The key is to not over do it. I started by imagining that packed movie theatre, and sitting at the back. It would make me feel anxious, and I'd try and calm myself down. Over enough time I learned that I could handle imagining it, and over time I was able to work my way up to actually going to to the movie theatre.

I also find writing helps me cope with anxiety. Do you ever write just to get your thoughts and feelings out? You seem like a good writer, it might be worth a shot!