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9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi AmyPrs,

Great work on challenging yourself. It will get easier with time. It's important to stick with it. The section on relaxation techniques and worry stopping will help. It can take some time to get a hang of these techniques but they do work.

Keep us updated on how you are doing.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 4027

Hi Amy, As you move through the program, they make suggestions, but it takes a while to get to that part. Today I felt awful since I couldn't sleep, and was in pain, in parts of my body. Exercise helped take the pain away, and reduce stress, and focus on something other than the worries I generate daily. There's a program part which describes progressive relaxation, and I do that daily. Some docs will prescribe meds, too, as a temporary measure.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1

I just started this program a day ago. I drove to get my kids from school as part of my exposure therapy. The idea of even doing this has left me anxious all day long! I can't seem to stop the thoughts. I did make it there and back but my anxiety is so high I can't think straight. What can I do to lower the anxiety? It just like such a dreadful task. I don't feel rewarded.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 4027

My ongoing attempts at being "out there" was dicey today. I've lost so much weight, that my pants were slipping. Also, I'm too old to do whatever under-20's are doing to keep their pants up. Later, I had the runs, and barely made it to the bathroom. The toilet paper I kept in my briefs, to minimize collateral damage, somehow slipped down to my pants, and were visible to public transit users...just another day in paradise!

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Welcome Jola,

Social anxiety and blushing are certainly tough to endure. Exposure can be helpful but I certainly understand how this would be difficult for you to feel like you are experiencing progress. First of all, do not avoid social situations. If you feel like you will get nervous and blush in a social situation or if you are already nervous, be sure the face the fear. Each time you avoid you are reinforcing the fear. Also, remember that other people may not notice your blushing and even if they do, they likely do not consider it to be a negative thing. Many people find blushing endearing.

When you are in social situations try to focus on the task at hand and not on your nervousness. Focus externally not internally. Get curious about the person you are talking to. What questions do you want to ask them? What do you find interesting or nice about them? Also, continue to work on the program, relaxation techniques and mindfulness. With some hard work you should start to see a difference. It won't be easy but I have no doubt you will be able to do it.

Be sure to keep us updated on how you are doing.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 4027

Hi Jola, Did you go through the module in the program? It's pretty detailed, and I've found that the catch with having anxiety is that the program requires patience and I find it difficult to follow detail when I'm wired.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1

I get the theory of exposure work but I don't know if I believe it will help me. I suffer from Social Anxiety and alot of my anxiety is related to people noticing that I'm nervous because I blush and turn all red. I get alot of other symptoms also but this one is the one I worry about because I get beet red!!! People have even commented on it so I know they notice. I have tried staying in the situation and it doesn't work for me. It happens with spontaneous things that I could not possibly practice and I keep doing the things that make me anxious anyway but it does not lessen my anxiety for it. So I don't know how exposure therapy would work for me. What other suggestions would you have for me to do?

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