Question by Dixi: How to get over social anxiety? Any tips on how to act around people?
My social anxiety is through the roof. I’m only really comfortable around my boyfriend and his best friend, I don’t have any friends except for one who I don’t talk to very much, and my boyfriend is my best friend. He is really understanding, and I love him, but he has sooooo many friends. I go to his house every weekend and usually we’re alone or with his best friend, but many times his other friends will come over and hang out for a while. Sometimes for 15 minutes, half an hour, or an hour and a half, but it’s agony for me… Sometimes I’ll know who they are, sometimes I wont know them. Everyone is talking and laughing, and I’m sitting miserably next to him not saying a word. And I hate it. I hate that I don’t talk. I want to, but I just.. can’t. I don’t have anything to say. And I’m very uncomfortable. Whenever my boyfriend tells me someone is coming over, I immediately feel so anxious and worried, and my back tenses up and I’m very uncomfortable and dreading them coming over. I even act this way when his roommate is around, and he’s a person I see quite often in that house.

I just want to know how to cope with it, and how to act around people? To them I probably just seem shy.. But my mind is racing and I’m incredibly anxious and I hate myself because I don’t talk and I want to and it’s just bad.

Best answer:

Answer by Wes
Try look into mindfulness and thigns like 7/11 breathing. When you have an irrational thought, write down more rational thoughts to counteract it. Also, gradually move yourself into uncomfortable situations, starting with the smaller ones. Remember that this too shall pass

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Malibu Beach Recovery Center Clinician – Miriam H. – www.MalibuBeachRecovery.com – Malibu Beach Recovery Center Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center staff member Miriam Hamideh, PhD, Clinical Director and therapist, discusses the The Malibu Beach Recovery Center. The Malibu Beach Recovery Center uses a neuro-biological approach to restore and balance the chemistry of the brain, and rejuvenate the body’s natural reward system. This system utilizes very specific natural nutritional food supplements in combination with carefully selected yoga-type exercises and the low-glycemic Malibu Beach Recovery Diet to create a solid foundation for long-term recovery. Clients quickly and efficiently achieve a sense of comfort and well-being, allowing them to get the full benefit of daily educational groups, individual therapy and 12-Step work.