Hanna

I'm always in my head and I also feel so accustomed to being that way that the thought of being more engaged and less introspective is alluring but also scary because it feels really unfamiliar. Thank you for saying that because I dunno but maybe I let my anxious thoughts define who I am and enough is enough! On a positive note, I have an inkling that I'm at a turning point because I want to feel at ease more than I ever have in the past. I would love to know more about your journey from being in your head all the time to being more engaged, if you don't mind sharing (like how long it's taken you/if you had any setbacks..) 😊

Hi Mark, Thank you so much for the advice. I always approached my anxiety as something that I need to attack so I go full force and use so much energy to keep anxious thoughts at bay. I read about social anxiety in a couple of books and they said that I need to just face my fears repeatedly until I don't have them, while at the same time letting go of my "safety" strategies. When I tried to do that, I always felt so drained and I thought that I might be depressed because of how drained I felt. I never thought about trying to let go of my thoughts rather than fighting them and that makes a lot of sense. Maybe I'm just engaging with my anxiety too much and taking it too seriously. I appreciate the support. Thank you again! Hanna

Hi guys, so I'm almost done my first year of college and to be honest it has not been that great of a year. I'm doing fine academically but really bad socially. I don't know why but my anxiety is horrible. I am always second guessing myself in social situations, thinking "what will they think if i say this" or "why aren't they talking to me, there must be something wrong with me". I've read up on social anxiety and being vulnerable enough that I know that I should not trust my thoughts and that they are irrational. But at the same time, I'm so used to being in my head all the time. I used to think that I was just introspective but now I hate being so anxious all the time. I think my social anxiety has led me to feel depressed. Mostly I feel hopeless about my future because I know how much my anxiety holds me back. I really want to make friends but even though I'm desperate, my anxiety still pulls me back. Whenever I try to initiate a conversation or join one, my mind goes black and i just become so insecure and dont know what the "right thing to say" is. I think I should probably be seeking professional help but the mental health services at my school is really bad and I can't afford to get a therapist somewhere else. I wanted to know if anyone has some strategies that have helped them when feeling socially anxious while talking to others. I've tried to deconstruct my thoughts and such but I still freeze up and I want to feel more relaxed and less anxious so that I can grow and feel less stuck. Thank you!! 😊