How can I get over my social anxiety without drugs?
99155
Medication helps tremendously.\n\nBut if you don't want to use medication, remember that anxiety is a state of mind -- it's all in your head. If you realize that most people get nervous in social situations, and that probably nobody can even tell you're nervous, your anxiety will melt away.
208535
See a counsellor who knows how to help you become desensitized to your fear of flying.   A good counsellor will know how to work with you.   Phobias are really quite common and can be cured without medication or booze.  When you are looking for a counselor, ask what is their experience with helping people get rid of phobias.  It will probably take about three sessions.  Then go and enjoy your trip.
948380
Hmm..they have medications for things like Social Anxiety Disorder which might help you.  Therapy and counseling are other options too.  Otherwise, the only way is to force yourself to talk to others.  You have two choices in doing this that I would recommend. One, you can go for it and put yourself out among a large group of people (whether in a self-help group or maybe by finding an activity you might enjoy outside the home and participating in it).  Two, you can take baby steps.  You could talk to one person on the phone, and then when comfortable enough with said person, talk to them face to face.  Then venture out into a larger group, but maybe bring the original person with you for comfort.  Then, after you've accomplished that, trying going it alone.  It's easier said than done I'm sure, but it's not unachievable.  Just perservere and try to focus on the benefits overcoming your phobia would bring.  Sorry for writing you a book here. lol
812210
Overcoming Shyness and Social Phobia\nShyness, (sometimes inaccurately called 'social phobia'), affects most people at some time in their life. Young people in particular find overcoming shyness difficult as they improve their social skills. And for some, shyness seems to persist into adult life, almost as if it has become a 'habit'.\n\nShyness has its roots in self consciousness and usually dissipates as people mature and become more experienced. However, for some it can 'stick', and then action is required.\n\nAlthough most people think in terms of 'overcoming shyness', it is more likely that you will become comfortable in social situations by learning the strategies of self confidence along with social skills. Then, shyness is no longer the issue, as social nerves will melt away as a new 'habit' takes their place.\n\nShyness versus Social Phobia\n\nIt is my personal opinion that social phobia is too often diagnosed where people are simply experiencing natural shyness. It is perfectly natural to be a little timid in a situation where you don't yet know the 'rules', or what to do. In fact, most people experience some degree of nerves when, say going to meet friends, especially if it is somewhere they haven't been before, or someone new will be there.\n\nWe have to be very careful not to assume that there is something wrong with this. Social nerves are natural, as long as they don't get out of hand. Focusing on them and making them into a 'big thing' will only make matters worse.\n\nWhen learning about social situations, young people need the chance to find their own way, without being labeled with 'social phobia'. This is not to say that social phobia does not exist; I know it does because I have worked with people suffering from it. However, in the vast majority of cases, the solution is social skills training, and perhaps relaxation and rehearsal, rather than drugs.\n\nIf a person can maintain a degree of calmness in a situation, then they are much more likely to be able to learn about how the situation works. However, if they are highly anxious and internally focused, both their emotional state and focus of attention will make it more difficult to pick up on subtle social cues.\n\nThe other key point about overcoming shyness is that most of socialising is an unconscious process. That doesn't mean you should be asleep when you're doing it (tell that to people I speak to at parties ;-), it simply means that much of human communication is non-verbal. That is, 'it's not what you say, it's the way that you say it'.\n\nIf you become highly anxious, this will tend to focus your conscious mind on your immediate environment, getting in the way of those unconscious processes.\nTips For Overcoming Shyness\nCheck out the tips in the article on self consciousness, particularly the ones to do with where you focus your attention.\n\n    * Practise becoming fascinated by other people. Ask them about themselves, and concentrate when they answer you. Remember what they tell you about themselves so you can talk about it later, or on another occasion.\n\n\n    * Great socialisers make other people feel comfortable and interesting. How do they do that? By being really, genuinely interested in other people. If you are talking to someone and you feel boring or inferior, ask why that is. Is it really all your fault?\n\n\n    * Practise using fewer 'personal pronouns' when you talk about things. Sentences beginning with 'I' are not only a turn-off for the listener, they also keep the focus of attention on you, which increases shyness. (Note: Of course, part of friendship is giving away things about yourself, but only when you feel it is appropriate to do so.)\n\n\n    * Remember that the way to overcome shyness is to focus elsewhere. Like on imagining what it will be like to really enjoy the social event, on how it will feel to be fu
880654
Well I wouldn't suggest you to take meds on your own, maybe seeing a doctor wouldn't be that bad. In the mean time maybe you should more deal with what makes your anxiety high (social situations) and find out real causes of it...besides trembling. \nI will give u this site that might help you, there are people with same problems as yours:\nwww.socialanxietysupport.com
45971
Practice. That's the main thing that will help. I have that problem, and it helped me to remind myself that the person I am talking to is just a human - exactly like me... absolutely no more special, and therefore should have no power to make me nervous. Another thing I do that has helped is observe people with really good social abilities. It doesn't exactly make you more calm, but it shows you more options of how to act in situations when talking to people - which over time will make you more confident in yourself as you become more comfortable with the "talents" you've learned.
393177
Open the door and walk outside. It's as simple as that. There's an odd mix of people all around you and everywhere you go. It seems like you got locked into a comfort zone, regarding your social group. Interact with people you normally wouldn't at the places you normally go (i.e. school, shopping, work, gym, club, and yes- even at the bar). Good luck.
378432
Quick!  Make an appointment to see a psychiatrist as soon as possible.  If you don't have a serious drug problem, then you are not emotionally stable.
111367
Just like some are sniffing at here, creating empty pauses when you don't think at anything and feel relaxed and safe is the way to go - you can try to scatter any thoughts why taking a walk in the woods alone for example. Practice and you will see the difference. \n\nBut - more importantly and easier to fix might be how you sleep and eat. Sleeping at least 8 hours and eating your three nutricious meals per day + doing it at regular hours will make you ready for anything. \n\nIncreasing your sleeping hours u
280252
go somewhere u have something on common with other ppl and say hi i know ur shy but trust me i used to b shy till i made it though college and got tired of it surprisingly ppl dont mind you talking to them as long as u have something in common \n\n\noh there is some pill for it too (imagine that) but seriously its for ppl with social anxiety disorder
1064485
How about anything that will put you in social situations. Im not saying that to be mean, Im just saying that shyness is not something you need to just live with. Break free of it. I was extremely shy just a few years ago. I overcame this by becoming an xray tech. I know its not a glamorous job, but I it has helped. When you are around people screaming in pain all day long, the last thing on your mind is saying the wrong thing. I can talk freely to anyone now. Think about it.
840143
I know how you feel, many people do.  I get anxious about being around people I am unfamiliar with.  As for starting new things, I've just found that it gets better with practice.  The more new things you can get yourself to do (start small) the easier these things will become.  When you do acomplish something, give yourself praise for summing up courage.  \n\nThis does sound like social anxiety disorder.  My psychology professor said that a great first step in conquering S.A.D. is by simply smiling or saying hello to people as you pass them (like at a park, or in your neighborhood).
90770
I aggree. Real friends are not just for going for a walk.\nFirst try to identify that this depression is not so serious that maybe need pharmacological treatment.\nHow will you identify?\nThe best you can do is to visit a doctor and describe what you feel. If not, there are several sites in the internet describing the symptoms of the disease. Usually the pharmaceutical companies selling this category of drugs, have also this kind of questions in their site.\nIf the result is negative, try some simple tips, like the ones described by me in a previous question, entitled:\nIs there any medicine for removing social anxiety?\n\nAll the best for you and your loved ones\n\nKaterina
444651
I doubt that drugs are the answer. You just need to get proactive and get involved in your new community. Start at your local library; see if your town has a newcomer's club. Check out your local community college for adult classes -- meet some new folks over a pottery wheel or ceramics class. Look at Yahoo Groups for groups that are listed in your city, pick a few that match your interests, join and start meeting people. Develop some online friends that you can take anywhere -- consider blogging, chat rooms, etc. If you're into religion, local churches are always involved in activities where you might meet friends. Volunteer! You will be making a difference while meeting others. I know that's a lot to throw at you, but if you think about it, that's how we all make friends. We find people who share our interests, begin with those interests as common ground, then develop a relationship over time. \n\nIf you're really bugged with the boyfriend, you should certainly talk to him about it. Of course, you could also just plan a private camping trip, just the two of you. Try not to be annoyed, though. You will be thankful that he wants to have his own friends when you have a passel of girlfriends and you all want a girls' night out.
272341
Honestly there is no easy fix for this. You just have to put yourself in a situation where you have to talk. If you are really that uncomfortable with it and you are in school consider taking the dreaded speech class. It will force you to get up and talk in front of people. The best way to get over a fear like this is to tackle it. Hope that this helps and I wish you luck!
859348
If you're in the Chicago area, try NAMI of Greater Chicago (www.namigc.org), or go to www.nami.org to find a NAMI affiliate in your area. There, they can direct you to support services, etc. \n\nAlso, have you tried support groups on WebMD? They include people from all over the country. It's a great way to hear what others have gone through and what's worked for them. Plus, it's online, so you don't have to go out in public :) \n\nPsychologists can also help, and may even direct you to a psychiatrist if he or she thinks you'd benefit from medication to reduce your social anxiety symptoms. \n\nHope this helps!
1010135
Well quit smoking weed and start living your life.  Get high on life, not drugs.