Fortunately if my depression is under control I do not have any problems with social anxiety. In fact I think I am very good dealing with people (one of my strong points).

 

But if I am on one of my depressive days the history is completely different. My firsts reaction is to withdraw from the world. I used to think that the problem was with me, but now I see how depression can be debilitating.

Fortunately if my depression is under control I do not have any problems with social anxiety. In fact I think I am very good dealing with people (one of my strong points).

 

But if I am on one of my depressive days the history is completely different. My firsts reaction is to withdraw from the world. I used to think that the problem was with me, but now I see how depression can be debilitating.

As I see it, the question is answered perfectly ~m!

 

 

 

 

I don't know what advice I would give...  I really don't.  Everyone's journey is so unique... people have different needs at different times.  I surely have nothing to offer that hasn't already been stated in the forums and lessons a thousand times in a thousand different ways.

 

 I guess the most obvious advice would be to not give up... but I don't really believe that. Sometimes, it is in the giving up that true healing can finally begin.   I could say trust yourself... but when we are depressed, it sometimes is not a good idea to listen to the judgment and condemnation with which we pound ourselves into the ground.  Take baby steps?  The quagmire of depression often prevents any movement at all.  

 

I suppose I could go through each and every piece of positive advice and counter it with a very real negative.   The ideal is to turn the very real negatives into positives.   It is possible, but it doesn't happen at the snap of a finger or a strongly worded wish.  It takes work, persistence, and a modicum of trust... trust in the program, trust in the Health Educators, trust & respect for other members... then, ultimately, trust in ourselves can grow, become refined and support us pretty darn well.  That just doesn't really happen at first ... at least it didn't for me.

 

Rambling thoughts..... not really answering the question.   

Oh well.  It's the best I can do right now and that's sufficient.  Yes?  Got me thinking anyway.

 

Hi ~m, 

 

Your post has me smiling from ear to ear!  Be very proud of everything you've accomplished -you've worked so hard to be where you are today! 

 

What advice would you offer to someone who feels like they are stuck and cannot get better?

Wow Ashley, your post reminds me how far I have come.

 

 When I first started the lessons in the Panic Center I had such terrible social anxiety I could not leave my home.  The children HAD to be brought to me to babysit because I could not drive to my daughter's house.  I remember working on just getting in my car and turning the key as a first step to challenging those fears... and the first time I dissolved into tears... eventually I did it and driving around the block was such a big deal... huge celebration... and you guys supported me all the way!

 

Following the program lessons, my horizons gradually increased and now I think nothing of driving everyday to pick up the kids at preschool and drive to their house.  I can go shopping and visiting and last summer I flew to visit my parents, rented a car and drove several hours on the interstate to get to their house and I totally enjoyed the whole trip.   

 

Wow... I hope my experience can inspire others to at least take the steps you have listed here if they too suffer from social anxiety.

 

I am facing some major changes and transitions in my life and a lot of fear has been triggered (and depression)... just remembering how far I've come gives me courage to go forward with confidence and (hopefully) some grace.  Maybe I can skip through the depression too!  

Depression can be isolating, can’t it? Not only do we experience physical symptoms but we also lack in energy. Our thoughts add fuel to the fire and before you know it; we don’t end up socializing much do we? So how do we break the cycle?

The best techniques for challenging shyness, sensitivity and social anxiety are the CBT techniques described in Session 10. In fact, if you’re suffering from significant shyness and sensitivity or symptoms of social anxiety, you might consider taking a few weeks off from the Depression Program to work on your social anxiety. Basically the two most effective techniques for challenging panic disorder (thought records and exposure work) are also very effective in the treatment of shyness, sensitivity and social anxiety. In addition, remember to use the communication skills that you’ve been working on to have more positive social interactions.

Thought Records: If you were working on our program that helps with panic and anxiety you’d learn strategies to help identify, understand, and challenge your anxious thoughts using by Thought Records. For example, by using Thought Records, you’d learn how to challenge your thoughts about being judged, embarrassed or humiliated. The Thought Records that you’re using in this program will work just as well. By examining facts that support or do not support negative thoughts, you’ll learn to challenge the thoughts that contribute to your shyness, sensitivity, social anxiety, withdrawal and avoidance.

Exposure Work: In our program for panic and anxiety, we teach you to gradually approach the specific situations that make you anxious. For example, if you were afraid of riding in elevators we would slowly and systematically get you to ride on an elevator. We might start by simply having you think about taking an elevator or stand beside an elevator until you anxiety subsided, and then (very gradually) get you to a place where you could comfortably ride an elevator all the way up a tall building. This is called exposure work because it involves helping you to gradually expose yourself to situations and sensations that you fear in a step-by-step manner. Exposure work challenges your avoidance behavior and the urge to escape the specific situations that make you anxious.

Communication Skills: You can try to use the information about communication style, communication skills and assertive communication that you learned in Session 11 to reduce your shyness, sensitivity and social anxiety during social interactions. Being more direct and assertive in your communication with other people is a good start. Let them know what you’re thinking and feeling. Listening carefully and paying attention to what’s going on “outside” (what other people are saying) instead of paying attention to what is going on “inside” (your negative and anxious thoughts, anxious feelings) can significantly reduce social anxiety. Practicing assertive communication and good communication skills is effective treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder. Just remember, one step at a time.

 

Ashley, Health Educator