Social Anxiety

[Blessed RN2B]

Hello, I am a pre nursing student. I will be taking my last pre req this up coming fall (A&P 2). The problem is that I have been suffering with social anxiety for about 18 years now, which is over half of my life being that I’m only 27. My grades in my pre req’s have been pretty good , mostly A’s & B’s. I feel like having this condition is stopping me from reaching my full potential. I get very nervous when I’m speaking to authority figures or talking with new people. It kill me to make eye contact for long periods of time, and I seem to think that everyone’s talking about me, or thinks I’m incompetent. I really want to be a good nurse, starting to feel like all of my hard work has been for nothing! Please help me out with any suggestions, I feel so lost. Thanks in advance!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

If you are concerned social anxiety is going to interfere with success in nursing, perhaps you should look into professional help. Needing professional help is not a weakness and is often the best way to help oneself.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

There are psychologists who specialize in social anxiety. They have techniques that can help you. Exposure therapy is one of them.

As far as thinking everyone is talking about you-ummm, no. They are likely too wrapped up in their own concerns to give you that kind of time.

I don't know who should be credited for this saying, but it's a good one:

"You wouldn't worry so much about what people think of you if you actually knew how rarely they do."

[Blessed RN2B]

Thanks for the advice. I have been actually debating about seeing a psychologist. As I know that I’m reality no one is really talking about me, it’s this condition that’s leave me with negative thoughts sometimes. Would Cognitive behavior treatment alone be successful in treating Social Anxiety? I have done a lot of research on medication therapy and based on my findings I’m not sure if that would be the best option for me. I have been working as a CNA for 7 years now. I have 3 years of experience working in a nursing home. I was their whenever my co workers needed help, had no problem interacting with clients or family members. My Anxiety seems to hit me worst in new situations like job interviews for instance. My head nurse could tell that I was horribly nervous at the interview but felt I would do just fine on the floor. Glad she gave me a chance because I did pretty good. I wasn’t the type to sit around and chit chat with coworkers but I was able to communicate and do my job effectively. My apologies for the long rant.

[Oldmahubbard]

I took medication for social anxiety a number of years ago and it helped a great deal. Eventually, I didn't need it. Something to consider

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Psychologists don't prescribe medication, so all of their interventions would be non pharmaceutical. If you want to consider medication, you will need to see a psychiatrist.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Yes, I believe cognitive behaviour therapy can be helpful for social anxiety. Find a psychologist and start there. Down the road you can be referred to a psychiatrist for medication management if warranted and you decide to go that route.

I'm willing to bet a little CBT makes a whole lot of difference. Good luck!

[farrasha, BSN]

I have terrible social anxiety and PTSD. I have been seeing a counselor and a psychiatrist, combining therapy and medication. I still have hard days in life in general, but I am making it. This is a career change for me and I had similar concerns in the beginning of this journey but I have been a nurse for a year now and I don’t regret it one bit. So far lol. I do my job, I don’t make a lot of friends but I support my coworkers and try to keep a team mentality. I am terrible with small talk, but calming down anxious and scared patients who look to me for comfort has been slowly helping me in that. I could’ve been a nurse a year earlier but I let my fear allow me to walk away from school even after I was accepted. But I came back. You can do it... the day to day isn’t always pretty or easy but for me, but to be able to do something I truly find meaning in makes it worth it.

[Blessed RN2B]

Thank you so much Farrasha ! It is really nice to know that their is someone out there like me that has made it through their journey. With you sharing this information with me has gave me a better outlook! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time out to respond back.

[Oldmahubbard]

Just to be clear, I did a lot to overcome social anxiety. I didn't just take medicine, but medicine was definitely necessary after I was bullied on more than one nursing job. Yes, just like the Mean Girls of 7th grade.