Help How do you overcome social phobia?

[sgifeei]

I mean, I don't know if I can get much better anymore, this has been going on for years, just now became severe. But, I need to do a bit better in order to at least be able to go outside.
So, I don't know if I should work with my family for a bit (at their place so I do not get stressed) or do some prints and sell them.
I do have options but they are very, very limited.

I thought I should get a service dog, because when one of my friends bigger dog sat on my lap I felt such a relief.

Any suggestions?

 

[katara]

I feel the same, I think usually you need someone else to help you. When you have no help things stay the same. I don't know anyone who's owned a service dog but usually they need a lot of training but if you have the money then ya you should consider getting one. I think dogs are great pets.

 

[sgifeei]

I feel the same, I think usually you need someone else to help you. When you have no help things stay the same. I don't know anyone who's owned a service dog but usually they need a lot of training but if you have the money then ya you should consider getting one. I think dogs are great pets.

Well, I am in therapy already, but it is getting harder to even go appointments. Do you go to therapy?

 

[katara]

Well, I am in therapy already, but it is getting harder to even go appointments. Do you go to therapy?

I don't but I used to I went for a year and then stopped. I saw a few other ppl but they weren't helpful bc they recommended some super expensive medication I can't afford bc I live in cursed USA.

 

[Sweet Tart]

Sounds like a service dog (or maybe even a regular pet dog) might be helpful, since you had a good experience with one.

I'm considering a dog, too. I've always been a cat person, but I look at a lot of pet forums & I'm getting swayed by how empathetic and happy dogs can be. Idk if I could handle the responsibility (cats are so easy), so I'm not going forward with this yet.

 

[sgifeei]

Sounds like a service dog (or maybe even a regular pet dog) might be helpful, since you had a good experience with one.

I'm considering a dog, too. I've always been a cat person, but I look at a lot of pet forums & I'm getting swayed by how empathetic and happy dogs can be. Idk if I could handle the responsibility (cats are so easy), so I'm not going forward with this yet.

I do have dogs! 3 actually haha. But, they are not big, I mean, if there were a big one that can lean on me and put pressure that would release some anxiety I think. That is actually what I meant. I do love my doggos so much, but they can be a bit handful.

 

[Lyn]

Well, I am in therapy already, but it is getting harder to even go appointments. Do you go to therapy?

Hi there. Do you take any meds?

 

[sgifeei]

Hi there. Do you take any meds?

I do. Also been to a psych ward 5 times.

 

[Lyn]

I do. Also been to a psych ward 5 times.

May I ask you which ones? If you don't mind, no pressure.
For social phobia exactly.

 

[sgifeei]

May I ask you which ones? If you don't mind, no pressure.
For social phobia exactly.

Uh idk on top of my head, but I know pregabalin and benzo for anxiety

 

[Lyn]

Uh idk on top of my head, but I know pregabalin and benzo for anxiety

Oh, ok. Then I'm of no use here only pregabalin (and some similar alternatives) help me a lot with social phobia. At least I can go out and interact with people somehow. And beta-blockers for tremor.
After 10 years of rawdogging social phobia it does wanders to me (well, not as good as I'd like it to be, but it's at least something)

Sorry that I apparently don't have any advice for you. Hope you'll find a way to cope with this.

 

[sgifeei]

Oh, ok. Then I'm of no use here only pregabalin (and some similar alternatives) help me a lot with social phobia. At least I can go out and interact with people somehow. And beta-blockers for tremor.
After 10 years of rawdogging social phobia it does wanders to me (well, not as good as I'd like it to be, but it's at least something)

Sorry that I apparently don't have any advice for you. Hope you'll find a way to cope with this.

It's okay! Thank you for wanting to help, it means a lot

 

[Sweet Tart]

I do have dogs! 3 actually haha. But, they are not big, I mean, if there were a big one that can lean on me and put pressure that would release some anxiety I think. That is actually what I meant. I do love my doggos so much, but they can be a bit handful.

Aww, you have a pack! The difference with big dogs makes sense to me. I grew up with medium-big dogs and loved hugging them. It felt like I was hugging a horse. And I remember it was nice when you sit next to them and they lean on you. If I ever get a dog, I can only imagine getting a big dog, a rescue with Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd, or pibble in their mix.

My cat actually likes to lean on me. She's not much of a lap cat, but she likes squishing herself against me, which makes me feel like she considers me a cat, too.

 

[cemeteryismyhome]

This is probably not aligned correctly with the discussion here, but, for me, I do ok if I find some little job or thing to do, in social situations. If I can feel that I'm quietly working in the background or accomplishing a task, it helps. I'm very odd I guess, in that pets make me nervous and annoyed.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I have a horrible feeling it's by putting yourself in social situations. I think they call it exposure therapy. I wouldn't say I'm phobic but I certainly have social anxiety. I 'fought' it for a while but, I've ended up just hiding myself from it all now. I dread to think what I'd be like now around others.

I think it's good at least the job is where your Mum works. I assume she is aware of how you feel? But, it could be a nice introduction if you've got someone there looking out for you. She may warn everyone else that you'll be super nervous too. It's nice to have someone in your corner.

I actually did a Head of Department job a couple of times. Looking back, I don't quite know how. Both times, I knew no one at the begining and, I was in a position of authority. I think it helped that I really wanted the job (till I worked out what it was!) I really wanted a new start too. That can help- to feel like you're starting afresh and want to try to make the best of it.

I also found being honest with people sometimes helped too. When I opened up about my insecurities, they did too. Obviously, you have to be careful there though. Some people won't be so nice. I hope it works out- if you decide to do it.