Social Anxiety/Phobia Support – Past and Present
This Personal Experience is so good it appeared in our January 2003 Newsletter, it is from the Anxiety Network International web site:
“In the past, when I was asked to introduce myself in a group setting, I’d freeze up and could barely speak. Now, I still don’t enjoy introductions, but I can get through it (I use the strategies I’ve learned to free up my racing thoughts. I focus on an object across the room take some deep breaths and ignore the negative thoughts.
In the past, I was too self-conscious to be able to act silly in front of a group. Now, I’m still somewhat self-conscious, but I can actually have fun by acting completely silly in front of other people. I make great animal noises in front of the whole group and I karaoke to the Beatles (my rendition of “Yellow Submarine†has attracted a lot of attention!)
In the past I’d get anxious whenever I heard ANYONE mention the word “speechâ€. Now, I hardly notice it. The thought of having to give a speech is not half as scary as it once was. I know that I’m ready to start nudging myself to give them , first in the group, then at Toastmasters, and eventually at work.
In the past, my negative thoughts would run freely through my mind, controlling my thoughts and actions. Now, I can usually catch myself when these thoughts occur. I stop, turn my attention elsewhere and they usually disappear.
In the past, I would obsess all day long about my social anxieties and how they would limit me in my job. Now, I no longer feel debilitated by my anxiety. I know that I will keep working up my hierarchy until there is nothing left to work on.
In the past, I hated meeting new people because I dreaded the thought of talking about my job. Now, I like meeting new people, and am fine talking about my job. I still don’t enjoy it, but I don’t pay much attention to it either.
In the past, I never thought that this would be possible to do. Now, I am learning more and more about the power that I have over my thoughts. Now, I am the one in control.†J.R.