Social Anxiety and Feelings

People with Social Anxiety have a hard time expressing their feelings. Some may have a problem pinpointing their feelings, while others have a problem expressing feelings.

As you travel on your journey to overcome social anxiety, you will find more and more feelings you are not used to. Partly because you have withheld them for so long. So it is common to have more intense feelings at first, but accept this as a sign that you are on the right track.

Feelings are a total body experience, generated by your thoughts. If you are not in touch with your feelings, you may feel tired or depressed. People with social anxiety or social phobia have very strong feelings, so it is important to learn how to express them.

To identify your feelings, you must:

• tune in to your body
• ask yourself... what am I feeling?
• ask yourself... what is my concern?

Once you have identified your feelings, you must express them by:

• Talking it out... share them with a friend or loved one
• Write it out... keep a feeling journal.

Then you must communicate your feelings to the person these feelings pertain.

• Be sure that the person is willing to listen
• Do not blame, or put down this person
• Use "I" statements.. I feel or I am feeling...
• Refer to the person's behavior, and do not attack him/her. Example: I feel very unimportant when you say you will call and you don't.

Expressing feelings for those with social anxiety is extremely important. Remember to confront someone when relaxed and without using anger. As with everything else, it takes time and practice.

Until next time...

Social Anxiety and Depression

Depression... what an ugly word, and even more ugly feelings to go with it. I'm struggling with depression today. You know the feelings of being in the "pit of hell?" Yeah, not good.

But, it does prove a point. Earlier I stated that I am using Mindsoothe to control anxiety and depression. Well, since my surgery is in 2 days, I've had to go off Mindsoothe because it is on my list of "drugs" supplied by the hospital that I cannot take 10 days before surgery.

Sometimes we need that extra help to control anxiety and depression. There's nothing wrong with that. If you are trying everything and are still having problems, you need to seek professional help.

If you have already sought professional help, and you and your doctor have decided for whatever reason prescription meds are not right for you, then I suggest you talk to him or her about a natural remedy like mindsoothe.

It is ok to need additional help.

Until next time....

Social Anxiety and Stress

I apologize for my lack of posts. I have been under extreme stress lately. It is not an excuse, but for people with Social Anxiety, stress plays a big factor in how we handle ourselves and how we are able to function.

I have to have major surgery in a week or so, and I won't lie, it is causing a lot of stress. I have been going back over the steps that I have been talking about here on this blog. Sometimes that happens, and I don't want anyone to think that is a bad thing.

That is why I call overcoming social anxiety a Journey. Things happen in our life, that make us we feel we are not making progress. We are, but sometimes we need to go back over the basics to get back on track.

I have been having panic attacks in my sleep. I wake up with those dreaded "butterflies" flowing through my body. Then the stomach tightens, the breathing starts getting out of hand, sweating, feelings of going crazy, and losing control.

Not a great way to start the day. At first, I tried to fight it, which is the wrong thing to do. Then I went back and used all the tools necessary to get me back on track. I used the imagery that I talk about... immerse myself in the scene, concentrate on slowing my breathing down to normal, and soon the panic would cease.

This is why it takes practice, practice, practice. When you are in a panic situation, it is hard to do the right thing if it isn't second nature. That is why I suggest writing things down, and reading your coping techniques until they become automatic.

Imagery really helps me, but you need to find something that works for you.

Until next time...