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...