Social Anxiety

[Hannah_2011]

Hi there,
my name is Hannah and i've had symptoms of social anxiety for a while. I'm currently taking citalopram and have been for a week exactly now. It doesnt seem to be working really. Maybe i should give it more time. When im at work i feel extremely uncomfortable in the staff room on my 15 minute break. It feels like a 2 hour break in hell. I cant look someone in the eye for more than a few seconds or i feel like my eyesare bulging out at them and i have to look away. I feel rude not looking at someone when there speaking but I cant help it. Basically any suggestions that may help i'd very much appreciate. Or any other medication i could try? i start college soon and cant stop worrying about sitting in a classroom feeling like that all the time :(

[Quassia]

Hi Hannah,
so sorry to hear that, I suffered a long while back due to not working 'mainstream' for a few years .. basically all my confidence was shot. Do you 'have' to have your break in the staff room? I'm thinking just hile the tablets kick in.

[Quassia]

'while'

[sandyRoe]

I think it takes a while for medications to 'kick in'. Could you bring a magazine or a newspaper with you at the break? Ask for help with a few clues and you might be surprise at how easily the ice is broken.

[Quassia]

sandy, I thought the same as you, taking in a distraction .. mag/ paper/ mobile.

[Hannah_2011]

I have little confidence but i get by. The majority of people at my work are down to earth and i get along with them. I just always feel uncomfortable around people now. I never had it before, just last 8, 9 months or something i've been trying to forget about it and deal with it and i've had enough of it. I could bring a newspaper or something yes, but it still doesnt get rid or the uncomfortableness. I can deal with it at work, have been for the last 7 months. But a college class of 20 or more would be absolute hell for me!

[sara3]

so how did you deal with the school class situation?

[Quassia]

Do you opt out of mixing when not in work Hannah?

[sandyRoe]

When you first go to that class all the others will be feeling nervous, and far too concerned with their own business to be thinking about you. They'll all be strangers to each other and that's a good time to strike up a friendship.
Give it a go. After a few day you'll be wondering what you were so anxious about.

[Hannah_2011]

I was fine at school, i'd never even heard of social anxiety when i went to school, yes i got nervous standing up doing presentations but who doesnt. I left 2 years ago and since have been at college,left, and now working. Apparently the cure to social anxiety is to face your fears and do what makes you uncomfortable and repeat it until you get used to it again? Like learning to ride a bike, keep trying. I fail to understand this properly though. My social life is crap now. I havent went out with friends for about 4 weeks. When i did i drank a fair bit to get rid of the horrible feeling. But that just makes it worse afterwards.

[Quassia]

Hannah, that's what I did .. I had a drink to take the 'edge' off the awkwardness .. but I didn't like to use it as a crutch. If you are not going out with friends .. would you find i difficult to just go out a short walk on your own? You need to keep some kind of contact with the outside world. If you can go out on your own for a short time, try saying hello to someone you don't find awkward interacting with.

[Hannah_2011]

i could go for a walk on my own yes, but it wouldn't be enjoyable. I still live my life and get on with things. Im just not happy because i dont enjoy anything anymore because i feel uncomfortable around people now. If its 1 person im sometime fine. Usually find it hard to look at a person for more than a few seconds then feeling uncomfortable and haivng to look away

[Quassia]

I keep checking back hanna,
If you can go out for whatever length of time .. do it & do itregularly, it will keep you in contact with 'people' .. If you can say hi/ morning to the elderly neighbour/ stranger, it will help with eye contact .. even if it's for the briefest of time.

[Quassia]

Hannah,
I really know what a hurdle this is for you. Just want to say .. wish you all the best with College! x

[boxtops]

Hannah, it will get easier - just grit your teeth and do a little bit every day. It is much too soon after only a week to expect great changes - the medication really needs to get into your system.
I know it's hard, and you feel you are being conspicuous, but other people have difficulties too, and may be feeling similar to you. I remember sitting on the bus one day and wondering how everyone else was so "normal" when I was stressing out with an anxiety symptom. It does get better, you have to want it to, and take life in very small bites - every small success is something to be celebrated.

[Hannah_2011]

Ok Quassia thanks very much for the advice, i will try keep everyone updated on if the citalopram starts to work. lets keep our fingers crossed :) it sure stops you from taking things for granted when the simplest of everyday things becomes a task.
and thanks boxtop, appreciate all the advice and opinions from everyone.

[Quassia]

Hi Hannah,
please do come back & let us know how you're doing! I found this in the mean time ... http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/ If you click on 'Community/ Forum .. theres plenty of people with Social anxiety problems sharing techniques of coping/ support ect ... x

[Quassia]

& a u.k based one Hannah .. http://www.anxietyuk..../membership-services/

[keyplus90]

Its a typical example of the burdens materialistic lifestyle puts on our minds. We make so much effort to keep our bodies healthy but human are more than just muscles and bones. I am really sorry to hear about what you said as usually people feel uneasy mentioning anything like this to someone but that is the worst thing they can do.

So my advice is that you talk (about this) to your close friends and let any anxiety or frustration out. And more importantly talk to your inner self and then do listen to what message you get from there.

[wolf63]

Citalopram has a good reputation foe helping with social anxiety. It won't cure it but it helps you by making you feel better so that you can sort your brain out.

Remember that we are all screw-ups - nobody is 'normal' even the people around you who seem calm and confident with 'perfect' lives. They may be struggling to cope with a part of their life too. I know when you are in a panic situation it is not at all easy to think rationally.

The information that the others have given is good - I hope it goes well for you.

[allthingsgo_]

I'm considering college and going through those same worries. Social anxiety sucks lol, it really does. I had been prescribed "Lexapro" and although it didn't work quite so well for me, it may be something to talk to your Dr about. Hope that helps, and hang in there.