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...