Anyone Here Have Social Anxiety?

Thedreamer · May 14, 2007

Hey there! I used to be like that. I really dont know what changed over the past few years but now I am perfectly fine doing oral reports and such. Though I am still weary of large crowds. I think its a confidence thing. Just set your mind to it and focus on what needs to get done!

Wish you the best!,

the dreamer

MiaKeaRN · May 14, 2007

I have worked from home for many years and whenever I have to be out in a large crowd I tend to get frantic at times. I have learned to do some deep breathing and just kinda talk myself through it. It's not always easy, but you will find a way to get through it.

Best of luck to you in your pre-reqs.

mshultz · May 16, 2007

I am a control freak, so the more control I have over a situation, the more comfortable I am.

Aside from speech class, (being graded on my performance instead of my knowledge of the subject makes me uncomfortable) I have not had a problem giving oral presentations. I like to involve the class in my presentations, such as asking questions and asking for opinions. If the class does not respond to you, just wait and the teacher will break the silence with a response.

Blushing does not necessarily go away as you get older. The best you can do is to accept it and continue with your presentation. I always blush when I talk about how my aspirin addiction for tension headaches put me in the Critical Care Unit.

One of my most uncomfortable situations occurred in Sunday School. We read a Bible passage that mentioned circumcision. Some of my classmates started discussing circumcision, including whether they had their male children circumcised (I am the only male in the class). I nearly had a panic attack: I turned red, broke out in a sweat, and started to feel disoriented.

If they noticed, they did not comment about it, and I eventually regained my composure. At the time this was happening, I also realized that this experience was far more embarrassing than when I was lying naked in the ED. I am not sure what this says about my personality;)

lizzyberry · May 16, 2007

Definitly a confidence thing but practice helps the more you do something like a speech the more easier it will get.

firstyearstudent · May 16, 2007

YES! I started taking Celexa and it helps. I found that oral presentations were less nerve-wracking than having my instructor hovering over during procedures. Shaky hands.

NoeIssa · May 16, 2007

YES! I started taking Celexa and it helps. I found that oral presentations were less nerve-wracking than having my instructor hovering over during procedures. Shaky hands.

Is Celexa just for stage fright?

jill48, ASN, RN · May 16, 2007

Is Celexa just for stage fright?

Celexa is prescribed for anxiety and depression.

jill48, ASN, RN · May 16, 2007

I don't exactly have a social anxiety, at least not when it comes to speaking in front of people. I'm a natural debater (I almost said master debator:nono: ) and it's one of my true passions. But when I was in nursing school I had more of a social urination disorder. At least that is what I named it. There were about 30 people in my class, with 27 of them female. We all had break at the same time, and there was always an endless line coming from the one female bathroom in the place, which had only two stalls. It never failed that by the time it was my turn, I could not pee to save my life. After a while I think it was just stuck in my head and became a psychological thing. Can't even believe I made it out of school without a kidney infection or UTI from holding it in so long. If something like that were to happen now, someone would have to forcefully restrain me from using the mens bathroom when those 3 guys were done. :lol2:

kellyskitties · May 16, 2007

Whatever you are afriad of happening own it. DArn it, my hand is twitching. Well, I always do that. or when you hear somebody talking about how awful it would be to have some problem I have I like to pop in with "oh, yeah, that does really suck. Have it all the time." I've just had to learn not to try to pretend I'm flawless. Yep, I'm a slob. Nope, parts of my house are a wreck. I should probably start walking the dust bunnies. Or shoot, worried about sagging? I should be in national geographic. Try not hiding from the flaws you fear. Ain't nobody perfect.

Just remind yourself "In 100 years, nobody will care." If it's a big enough deal that in 100 years somebody will - I'd have anxiety too.

People always thought I was shy. I was. I didn't want to seem like I was less than somebody else. I always say or see things differently. So what. Now that I'm older I just say it anyway, snort when I laugh, hike up my nerd britches and get on with life. Cool people are just hiding their flaws. I've decided to be real.

Zanibo · May 16, 2007

I have social anxiety as well and I know that there really is no "mind over matter," at least not with me. I don't want to freak out about being around new people, but I do! It only used to bother me in large crowds, but since becoming a stay at home mom, I can barely leave the house. I am constantly worried about people looking at me and judging me. I'm gonna ask my dr. about Celexa the next time I see him. Hopefully that'll help me before school starts in the Fall.

lizmatt · May 16, 2007

Though I am not formally diagnosed, I believe that I suffer from this. I have had panic attacks in crowded places. I am very uncomfortable with new people - I've been called "shy". The great thing about nursing school is that you get kind of close to the people in your class. I had to give a few presentations this past year in nursing school - though it was a little stressful, it was not so bad because I was so comfortable with my classmates, and that really helped.

I don't think this will effect me too badly as a nurse, because I am fine with one on one interactions and did just fine in clinicals.

My advice for presentations is to be extremely prepared and if possible go first, so that you don't spend the entire class period anxious about speaking in front of the class.