Social anxiety treatment options

[kned]

I'm really wanting to look at some ways to manage my social anxiety.

Medication would be last resort. What has worked for you? Has anyone tried alternative medicine (herbs etc)? Did they work?

What psychological techniques have you found useful. If anyone can share some links to websites or apps, it'd be very much appreciated.

Cheers,

[Sophie_M]

Hi kned, thanks for posting.  We'd recommend using the search function in the first instance - we have many threads on the forums on social anxiety, and you're likely to find answers quicker by reading through what has already been posted and taking part in the discussions.

We're not able to share links here on the forums, but there's a comprehensive list of treatments for anxiety available on our website here:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety

[Guest_523]

Hi, now this is just my experience, I usually spend a day psyching myself up if I have to go out and do shopping and things like that. I am usually stressed to the max when having to drive in traffic and deal with shopping malls and such. I have to grit my teeth and get through it but I constantly am fighting off a panic attack in these situations. I do carry medication with me if I cannt handle it at all however I try like all to get through it without taking anything. Sometimes it works sometimes not. I cannot take velarian or that kind of herbal solution. Why I do not know, it freaks me out. Lots of chamomile helps some. I wish I could help but just wanted to let you know what I do.

[Daisy129]

Hi Kned,

I went to a psychologist who specialised in phobias and he really helped me by setting small social challenges which I had to do in between visits and report back, this really helped me to develop some strategies for dealing with some of my most feared social situations. It also helped knowing I had to report back to someone, because it gave me that extra push to be a bit more brave.

Some of the techniques which helped to reduce anxiety for me during the challenges were deep breathing and positive statement cards which I could read to myself before going out somewhere. This helped to alleviate some of the body symptoms which made my fearful situations harder, and regular yoga practise also seems to help me stay more calm day to day.

I have also had positive results from Natural therapies and nutrition, it took a while to find the right combination of supplements and diet changes that worked for me but worth the work.

I hope this helps, it is tough living with social anxiety!

[kned]

Thank you! I usually have to psych myself up a lot beforehand too. I'm sorry that you struggle so much.. It's exhausting isnt it.

[kned]

This is a great help, thank you! I'll definitely try your suggestions and research natural/nutrition changes that may help too 🙂

[Daisy129]

Glad to be of some help, it is a tough battle, I hope you find something that works well for you. 🙂

[Guest_523]

Yes the energy that it requires is staggering. I hope that you feel better soon.

[EllieC]

I hope you've had some luck with the great suggestions from everyone else Kned, I agree with them all. I've always found deep breathing and remembering some positive statements, like Daisy said, to be particularly helpful.

I did try taking valarian briefly like Viking to help with sleeping but I don't particularly like taking pills for whatever reason and having to take the ones I need is usually enough for me 🙂

You mentioned apps, I hope it is okay for me to suggest one here. I really love Smiling Mind, its a free app that guides you through some meditation exercises. The exercises are all built around mindfulness so there is no spiritual/cultural aspect to them. I couldn't promise that it will work for you, and I totally get why meditation isn't for everyone. But if you're interested in trying it, smiling mind is getting a lot of positive buzz and my therapist highly recommended it to me

Good luck

Ellie