Setbacks To Overcoming Social Anxiety

For those on the journey to overcoming social anxiety, you need to be aware of setbacks. What I mean by setback is an increased feeling of fear and anxiety in a social situation after you have made great progress.

I had a setback yesterday. I was going to work in the yard. This has been very easy to do lately, so I didn't think anything of it. That might have been my problem. I wasn't paying attention to my thoughts.

Just as I got to the door, a flood of “What if” questions came pouring into my thoughts. What if “this” happens... I'll look stupid. I was actually caught by surprise, so it took me a second to regroup.

What worked for me, is I changed the words “What if” to “So What!” Any negative thought I had like.. “What if the neighbors are out?” I replaced with, “So what if the neighbors are out!” Every “what if” can be turned around to “so what!” Once I did that, my anxiety lowered, and I was able accomplish my yard work.

Look for warning signs of a setback for overcoming social anxiety. Some may include:

• An increase of fear in social situations in which you have been successful
• An increase in fearful or “faulty” thoughts
• An increase in avoidance to things you have accepted invitations successfully
• An increase of worrying what others think of you

If a setback happens, don't panic. Don't think that you are a failure because you are not!

Go back over the steps you took previously on your journey to overcome social anxiety.

• Practice breathing skills
• Change the negative thoughts into more constructive ones
• Practice confronting your fears
• Try changing the “what if” questions to “so what!”

You have already been successful in certain areas, you have the tools, the coping skills, and the experience to get back on track. Don't ignore the signs! You can do this!

Until next time..