I have recently had some issues with anxiety which are tailing off.  There is one thing that I can't shake.  When I am around a  large group of people or in an important meeting, my head tightens and I cannot think.  I do not know why this happens or if it is possible to get rid of but it is becoming debilitating to my performance at work and socially.  \n\nHas this ever happened to anyone?  Does anyone know how I can fix it and move on with my life??
126041
Adrenalin rush - u need to relax. try and take a walk or lay on the grass for like 10 minutes - it helps me!
68573
You don't need to get over it.  Introverts (in my experience) are good listeners and make loyal friends.  As far as the job goes that is more difficult, but remember it is the product you are selling not yourself.  If you can focus on why they need the product instead of why they might not want it from you (yes I've been there) it may help.  Fear of embarassment and rejection is powerful, but so is loneliness.  I wish you luck.\nIf what you are experiencing is actually anxiety attacks your doctor may be able to help.
258471
FEAR OF SPEAKING IN PUBLIC.  This was really bad - I was even afraid of interviews (that's only one person), so I guess I was afraid of strangers, especially a whole bunch of them in an audience.  Yes, I conquered it. How?  I tried just trying to relax, think of the audience as just some people similar to me (didn't work for me.)  I was a basket case, couldn't even SIT in class and take my turn reading something out loud. Tried a tranquilizer too.  You can't fool your defense mechanism, and after a couple of years I discovered that what I was afraid of was being nervous and obvious, like shaking head, hands, weak legs, hard to talk, so that made me nervous and therefore afraid.  I went to a seminar designed to bully you into ridding your fear.  Long story short, I joined a Toastmasters' Club, shook with nervousness the first time the Table Topics leader called on me to give an opinion on the day's topic, I was so embarrassed.  But I went to all the meetings, did my speaking assignments, and overall it worked great, took about a year to gain the confidence I needed.  Won some speech contests beyond the club setting, held office in the club, and even became president.  My phobia stemmed from childhood feelings of inadequacey, inferiority, being afraid whether my mother approved of what I did.  Well, we're adults now, and have to just go forward.  Yes, I'm sure I'm not still bugged by it, because I've had plenty of experience in not being afraid. But I know what you mean.  In the beginning even after successes, I'd always think, "What if I'm afraid again?"  I would think of my successes, no matter how big or small.  Then I decided, "Well, if I do, I'll just speak anyway, the nervousness will go away and not be noticeable."  I also learned that when extremely nervous, we try to hold ourselves stiff so as not to shake, especially the head and neck.  We don't breathe enough, and that makes it worse.  Long winded, aren't I?  Just wanted to help.
626669
I can relate!  Boy can I relate!  It's not fun having/suffering from anxiety.  There are medications that can help BUT...I do not use medications.  \nWhat you are experiencing though is more paranoia.  I too feel that others are judging me with what I wear, how I look, what I'm doing etc....the BEST thing I have found to overcome this is to ask myself this;  "Is what I'm doing in life pleasing to God?"  If I can answer "yes" then I don't need to worry what anyone else says or thinks.  It's only GOD I need to be pleasing towards. \nI advise that you get involved in a good Bible based church and allow your church family to help you raise your self esteem.\nI do hope this helps.  \nGod Bless
104395
That's hilarious! Nerves can be really overwhelming at times.  They can cause your stomach to do cartwheels, the sweats, all sorts of things.  I think many men (in particular), think they will just show up and say their I Dos.  Then a couple of days before, they are rehearsing for things, having dinners, making toasts, then the final day arrives and it's an overwhelming amount of emotion plus all of the hype.  I'm making myself a bit nauseous just thinking about it!\nThanks for the clip!
104648
Yes I know exactly what you mean. I am doing a course right now based on the book Dianetics which teaches you exactly what part of the mind this"turmoil" comes from. Why it can come and go and come back again. But more important I am learning a technique that anyone can learn to help others get rid of it completely. I have personally experienced this working and been able to help others with it ,which is also a great feeling.\nJust read the book. It will fully answer your question and also give you a solution that works! (there's no a lot of that around these days....)
289343
this is a simptom which happens to people due to anxiety and to some with a neurological condition which causes the same effect. \ntry simply avoiding caffine for a while then if that isn't enough try various relaxation tecniques. if none of this works consult your physican.   \np.s. it may pass as you get older.
551224
Hi, I am sorry to hear this.  You didn't state if this has always happened to you or not?!  If it is something new you are experiencing then I would really speak to a Doc.  Sometimes a load of stress in other areas of your life can make you heart race and do funny things.  It isn't uncommon to have panic attacks when stressed or nervous.  There are probably a lot of options out there to help you with out taking meds. I would really talk to your family doctor as soon as you can, just to make sure there isn't something majorly wrong.  Take Care of yourself and remember you are the best judge of yourself and what you need.  Sending you lots of smiles :) :) :)
143736
Are you nervous?? I used to do that whenever I was anxious or nervous about something. I would catch myself doing it and eventually I stopped. You just have to make a conscious effort not to do it.
436275
I call this bullying, especially the bits about not giving you your work and shouting at you in front of other people.  Is there a personnel department or union you can see about this?  If not, I suggest you look for another job before you get symptoms of stress.
592554
About 4 years ago I began experiencing that feeling quite a bit, I finally began to suffer with anxiety attacks and decided to seek help.  I was diagnosed with depression, mild agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder with panic attacks.  With the help of a mild anti-depressant, a great therapist(more like a friend really), my faith and my family, I am doing much much better.  It doesn't hurt to find someone you trust who is knowledgeable in this area and talk about it.  It takes alot of courage for you to realize you might have a problem and want to know what it is and how to fix it.  Good grace to you!
288416
Interesting! I don't think modereate alcohol consumption can affect "performance" so I would suggest seeing a doctor about it! Are you sure you are not under a lot of stress at the minute?
442375
I have anxiety attacks when I start to drink. What I do when I get them is put my head in the freezer or if cold outside I go out and breath slowly in & out. That's what helps me get rid of the attack. It's not a quick fix but it helps. You need to see if your doctor can help ya. He can put you on a medication so when it happens it won't be so bad. You might even need anti-depressants if they accure often. Hope this was helpful. Good luck!
510860
It might be some sort of anxiety problem, but if it's not giving you major problems, it's probably just a mild anti-social issue.  I don't like parties or large groups either, I prefer a small group, and I definitely need time to myself every day.  It's pretty normal.
149729
I would seek professional help before it gets worse. You are possibly experiencing anxiety, stress or a combination of both.Counseling might help . Good Luck
620823
Yes I do suffer from social anxiety!  It's getting worse as I get older too (I'm 28 now).  I have this terrible problem where when I can nervous about something I feel really sick to the point where I start retching and this happens when I have to go to appointments, like doctors appointments, dentist, hairdressers, anything like that.  It's now happening when I go into work in the morning or just meeting up with an old friend for lunch.  It is so embarrassing.  Sometimes I can hardly talk cos I feel so sick!\n\nI also get a really tight throat and tight chested.  Which symptoms do you get?\n\nI really know how you feel and I'm so sorry that you have to go through a similar thing to me.  \n\nIf you want to keep in touch, let me know.
568169
You need to look at the root of the little things that are annoying you.  I used to get so upset and frustrated with people because it seemed like no one understood what I was trying to say, and I would get so pissed & then it would be nothing! I was taking a situation from Point A (Something happened, it could be just that someone said something) straight to Point Z (they're idiots and the world is going to fall apart) bypassing Points B, C, D etc and when I stepped back I realized there's always a step B,C and MAYBE D. Then I went to this lecture and this professor said that everytime we feel like that it's due to a specific something from our childhood ( I KNOW EVERYONE SAYS THAT< AND EVERYONE HAS HEARD THIS) but he was specific about a certain thing (that you WILL remember),  that happened that makes you feel this way.  And I did!  I remembered exactly what caused it, and my whole base fear in my life revolves around the fact that I am terrified that no one is listening to me, or no one understands what I'm saying, not in a logical 40 year old woman way, but in a 5 year old child "no one believes me" way. It was an epiphany and I've learned since to distance myself from the emotion of everyday things, because reality is, for the most part, no one really gives a rat's ass about making your life miserable, or thinking about how you're feeling. So it's you reading emotion into something that's not there.