social anxiety

Jules A, MSN · Sep 9, 2006

Hi,

Since this sounds like way more than just being shy, I was going to suggest speaking with a doc, so I'm glad thats on your list. Being a nurse will require you speaking about some uncomfortable stuff to complete strangers so learning to handle your anxiety now will go a long way. Much luck to you and hang in there, Jules

rds007 · Sep 9, 2006

Crazylilkelly,

I have had similiar problems for years. There was a time during prereqs that I actually got up and left class because I was so afraid that we were going to put into groups to work. I would always feel so nervous around other people, and feel like everything I said sounded dumb. I would get really warm & talk fast. It got to the point that I began having shortness of breath. I finally went to my doctor & she prescribed Effexor XR for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It took 3 weeks, but I am beginning to feel normal again. I can breathe!

I love to workout & have found that when I miss a few workouts, I seem to be more stressed. I would suggest that you exercise regularly & see your doc. It made all the difference in the world for me.

Good luck!!:icon_hug:

Rachel

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2006

I have no actual Dx of Sa, but suspect it. I generally even talk softer and try to plan bathroom breaks around suspected group work. Yesterday, we had to work in groups of 7, then one person was getting picked to present to class. I was SOOO sure it was going to be me that I started rehearsing it...of course I didn't get picked.

Being one of 3 men in the program, it's even worse to me. I've got that factor to also be nervous about. today though I went in to give a return demo on handwashing and pulse ox, met a totally new instructor that does demo only this semester and she put me right at ease...

BOOM! 2 demos down and 1000 to go....

See a doc and watch exercise & diet! You'll feel worse if you aren't eating balanced....

crazylilkelly · Sep 9, 2006

thanks for your understanding & support guys! i know i can get over this, i have in the past. i went through this REALLY bad in the navy. but worked through w/ some med help & enjoyed the rest of my military career.

it's funny that you guys point out eating right & exercising. i've made a plan to exercise daily (i know it gives a great rush & relieves stress) & i'm going to work on maintaining a consistent sleeping pattern. it's going to be hard but definitely worth it. good luck to you guys too!

sail81 · Sep 9, 2006

Hi there!

I too suffer from a social anxiety disorder and hate group work too!! I was put on Zoloft at 100mg in 2001, I have since then gone down to 50 mg but sometimes with the stress of Nursing school approaching I should go to 100 again. Some people just tell me to "stop worrying" but they don't understand. That's like telling someone with anorexia to eat. And once the anxiety starts flowing it seems to get worse. I recently had my first panic attack...I couldn't breath, I feel like I am going to have wrinkles and gray hair sooner than ever! I was diagnosed when the Doc found I not only had a heart murmur but also Mitral Valve Prolapse apparently MVP has a correlation with anxiety disorders. So that made me actually feel better, its not in my head I do have an issue here. Anyway the best advice I can give you is "BE PRESENT in the moment" try not to think further than what is going on RIGHT now. Workout, watch what you eat, take your vitamins (include fish oil--I have found this also helps to raise my mood). Never NOT do something b/c of your disorder. :nono: :rolleyes:

crazylilkelly · Sep 9, 2006

Hi there!
I too suffer from a social anxiety disorder and hate group work too!! I was put on Zoloft at 100mg in 2001, I have since then gone down to 50 mg but sometimes with the stress of Nursing school approaching I should go to 100 again. Some people just tell me to "stop worrying" but they don't understand. That's like telling someone with anorexia to eat. And once the anxiety starts flowing it seems to get worse. I recently had my first panic attack...I couldn't breath, I feel like I am going to have wrinkles and gray hair sooner than ever! I was diagnosed when the Doc found I not only had a heart murmur but also Mitral Valve Prolapse apparently MVP has a correlation with anxiety disorders. So that made me actually feel better, its not in my head I do have an issue here. Anyway the best advice I can give you is "BE PRESENT in the moment" try not to think further than what is going on RIGHT now. Workout, watch what you eat, take your vitamins (include fish oil--I have found this also helps to raise my mood). Never NOT do something b/c of your disorder.

Thanks! :rolleyes:

Hmmm, i never ever heard of MVP correlation w/ SA. i'm going to look that up now. I'm sorry you had to experience your first panic attack. it's an awful feeling. i hope that's the only one you had & ever will have! i used to get them in hs & in the military but i haven't had one for yrs so i'm grateful for that. good luck & thanks for your advice!

FNPhopeful · Sep 10, 2006

I just wanted to say you are not alone. This thread actually made me feel alittle better about myself......I too have somewhat of social anxiety, I HATE having any attention on me for any reason. I feel like I turn red and I get real hot all over if I have to talk in front of people. My voice even starts to get shaky!

I took group discussion instead of public speaking for this very reason. But I am hoping with nursing school that I'll be forced into these situations and forced to overcome my anxiety. Because at this point we cant quit!

I used to take Wellbutrin but I dont really think it did anything. (Does Effexor work?)

I always think whatever I say is gonna sound dumb or shaky. Im trying to get over it but its really hard. Skills testing is a real nerve racker!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Sep 10, 2006

Interesting thread....I've been hating checkoffs as I hate that "I'm in the spotlight" feeling. I work with others wonderfully; got great communication marks in my last career, could run a meeting with the best of them; but there's just something about KNOWING someone's watching me try to pass a skill that has made me a basket case for the last 3 checkouts. I am dreading future ones. I, too, get flushed, sweaty, and during BP checkouts, my pressure was up to 150something/96!! Do ya' think I was stressing?!?!?

I've always been like this a bit -- I remember my dad getting aggravated when I was taking a bowling or golf lesson saying, "No one's watching you; just worry about yourself!! No one's watching you!!" Well, in a way that's no longer true!! lolol....

Good luck all!

NCVegRN · Sep 10, 2006

I just wanted to say you are not alone. I just graduated from RN school. I have a history of anxiety and panic disorder - which I had gotten under control w/out meds prior to school. In school I started getting migraines again - thru trial and error with my NP neuro I found 300mg of Wellbutrin got rid of most of them - they were produced by stress and anxiety.

A ton of my classmates also took something for anxiety - some every day and some just on presentation days. Nursing school is VERY stressful. Do what you need to take care of yourself - don't be ashamed to take meds and do eat right, exercise and get sleep. It's simple, but Really helps.

You will survive - I did!

FNPhopeful · Sep 10, 2006

Are there anxiety meds that you can take on the spot, if you think your gonna panic? What do they do?

firstyearstudent · Sep 11, 2006

I've never been diagnosed either but I suspect I have it, too. One thing I've found helpful is to force myself to talk and smile at people. Just ask them how they are and you really won't have to talk that much, just listen. I also try to make as many jokes as I can. Sometimes I say something REALLY stupid and wrong and embarrassing because I'm so nervous I say the wrong word (I can really screw up a punchline, heh heh). For example, years ago a teacher asked if I could play a musical instrument and I meant to make the joke, "a kazoo," but I said "a bazooka" instead (which was actually funnier). I also forget people's names in anxious moments so I call everyone "babe" or "hey, you." I used to stutter like crazy but this is mostly under control. The other students think I'm nutty not shy and generally seem to like me.

Another thing I do is to just get up and leave abruptly when I'm really freaking out, take a short, brisk walk and come back.