Nursing and Social Anxiety Disorder

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I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder a few years ago and I never did anything to "fix" it. I am currently in my 2nd year of nursing school, the 3rd of 4 semesters. I am fine when it comes to book work and knowing how to do things, I have major issues when it comes to dealing with patients. I get scared and nervous before each clinical and before each time that I need to walk into a new patient's room. I'm terrified of who I will find. If they're mean to me I don't know how to handle it. People make me so nervous. I have a very hard time carrying on conversations with people and I feel like everyone can tell quite obviously that I'm always nervous. I realize I have this problem and my last clinical instructor even mentioned it to me. She said that I do great except I'm a bit timid around the patients. I really would love to get over this because I want nothing more then to be a nurse. Any suggestions?

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I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder a few years ago and I never did anything to "fix" it. I am currently in my 2nd year of nursing school, the 3rd of 4 semesters. I am fine when it comes to book work and knowing how to do things, I have major issues when it comes to dealing with patients. I get scared and nervous before each clinical and before each time that I need to walk into a new patient's room. I'm terrified of who I will find. If they're mean to me I don't know how to handle it. People make me so nervous. I have a very hard time carrying on conversations with people and I feel like everyone can tell quite obviously that I'm always nervous. I realize I have this problem and my last clinical instructor even mentioned it to me. She said that I do great except I'm a bit timid around the patients. I really would love to get over this because I want nothing more then to be a nurse. Any suggestions?

Leah,

I understand. Nursing school is really stressfull, and you have a biological condition which does not help matters. Have you tried any of the antidepressants? Zoloft helps alot with anxiety.

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I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder a few years ago and I never did anything to "fix" it. I am currently in my 2nd year of nursing school, the 3rd of 4 semesters. I am fine when it comes to book work and knowing how to do things, I have major issues when it comes to dealing with patients. I get scared and nervous before each clinical and before each time that I need to walk into a new patient's room. I'm terrified of who I will find. If they're mean to me I don't know how to handle it. People make me so nervous. I have a very hard time carrying on conversations with people and I feel like everyone can tell quite obviously that I'm always nervous. I realize I have this problem and my last clinical instructor even mentioned it to me. She said that I do great except I'm a bit timid around the patients. I really would love to get over this because I want nothing more then to be a nurse. Any suggestions?

You sound like me. I recommend a good brand of fish oil. I take the high dose, ultra refined pharmaceutical grade and have noticed a big difference in overcoming some of my timidity. I am much more relaxed and easy going. Our brains have to have EFAs; that is why they are called essential fatty acids, and most of us do not get enough of them.

I have also found good company at http://www.infj.org/. INFJ is the most rare type of personality on the Myers Briggs personality profile - I think they are absolutely wonderful! You might be surprised. You sound like one of us.

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I'm a tested and proven INTJ and yes I do have a bit of an anxiety problem. I do great when I'm by myself with a pt. but my clinical group tends to be VERY clingy. There are eight of us on a very intense floor and I swear four are attached at the hip. The clinical teacher separates them but they just go and hide somewhere. BUT when "they" have a question they search for me! HAHA, I'm really nice but my anxiety is growing as the weeks progress. No one knows I have anxiety and I am able to control it while I'm on the floor but on Tuesday I went home and "got sick." My nerves were just shot. Anyone have any ideas? I have so many stories haha and not enough time! Bye

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You are certainly not alone. There are lots of nurses who have the same condition or conditions like it and have had great success with medication. Do a little research on medications like Paxil. Or better yet, go back to your physician and together come up with one that's right for you. Then get some counseling to help you work through some of the 'what if's' that drive people with social anxiety disorders in the panics.

You're going to be a great nurse and don't let ANYONE tell you different. You just have to take care of this little problem. If you needed glasses wouldn't you get them? Kate

I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder a few years ago and I never did anything to "fix" it. I am currently in my 2nd year of nursing school, the 3rd of 4 semesters. I am fine when it comes to book work and knowing how to do things, I have major issues when it comes to dealing with patients. I get scared and nervous before each clinical and before each time that I need to walk into a new patient's room. I'm terrified of who I will find. If they're mean to me I don't know how to handle it. People make me so nervous. I have a very hard time carrying on conversations with people and I feel like everyone can tell quite obviously that I'm always nervous. I realize I have this problem and my last clinical instructor even mentioned it to me. She said that I do great except I'm a bit timid around the patients. I really would love to get over this because I want nothing more then to be a nurse. Any suggestions?
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Thanks for the reassuring words! I have been filled with incredible doubts lately and fear about going to clinical. That website is interesting, I find myself relating to it.

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Hi all,

I did a search on nurses with anxiety disorders and came up with these posts. I have never been officially diagnosed but I have all the symptoms of Generalized anxiety disorder. I actually dropped out of nursing school because of this. It was absolutely horrendous how I would get so nervous that I could not move, function or think straight in clinicals. Well I have decided to go back to school and have been accepted to a community college in Sept to become an RN. I would make a grreat nurse but I am worried about this happening again. I do not have insurance and it does not look like I will be able to have insurance for the 2 years I am in school so medication is not an option. I can not get insurance through the school because you have to be full time and I will only have 9 credits a semester as I have only the nursing courses left to take. I can not imagine working full time while going to nursing school to get insurance. I was wondering what type of fish oil you take. I am willing to try anything to get past this and become a nurse.

I am so glad to know that some people are able to get past this and become nurses. Peace and grace.

Nurse wannabee

You sound like me. I recommend a good brand of fish oil. I take the high dose, ultra refined pharmaceutical grade and have noticed a big difference in overcoming some of my timidity. I am much more relaxed and easy going. Our brains have to have EFAs; that is why they are called essential fatty acids, and most of us do not get enough of them.

I have also found good company at
http://www.infj.org/
. INFJ is the most rare type of personality on the Myers Briggs personality profile - I think they are absolutely wonderful! You might be surprised. You sound like one of us.

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