Coping with Social Anxiety Disorder
One of the most common disorders in our society is social anxiety. There are many causes of it, but most people can work to overcome their anxiety without need of a professional therapist. If you have this ailment, the symptoms can be very unnerving. You may feel like you are isolated and alone, be very self-conscious, and also feel nervous anytime you are in a group of people. You might even suffer physical ailments as well. There are some people whose hands tremble and get sweaty or they may feel sick to their stomach. You can take some proactive steps towards working through this disorder. Take a look at these five methods that can be effective:
If you are too uncomfortable in a group, try getting used to a virtual environment. If you love to explore new places, for example, there are many chat rooms online that you can join in on and comment about the subject. Take time and look at them and see if you can figure out what the people participating are like. You may find some that are very friendly. Sign up so that you can post your own comments and start socializing in this way. Even though you are not right there in the room with them, it is still a way of communicating with others.
Once you are comfortable with the online situations, do not stop at this point. You are evidently wanting to be friends with people so you need to continue to make friends. Being able to overcome your social anxiety means that you feel like you have valuable input and a great personality that you want to share with others. There might be a live support group somewhere in your neighborhood that you can join. When you do go, take care to remember that the people there are exactly like you and the leader will know how to get people to open up about their problems. Go and have some fun there!
After a while, you will be more relaxed with your support group, and you can try inviting one or more of them to have some coffee or take a walk around the block. You do not need to be scared; they are in the same boat as you are. It will make conversation easier and enjoyable.
The biggest step is to finally invite some people over to your home for dinner or lunch. It does not have to be a large group of people, maybe just four or five. You will have a higher level of confidence now. You have enough support from your friends and enough experience at dealing with your social disorder to make this party successful. Remember that they are perhaps feeling anxious just like you are, but they are happy to be invited and to be a part of your life. You can encourage them just as they encourage you.