Bipolar 1, anxiety, and recovering agoraphobia -

During parties - prepare basic speech and move from group to group. Walking thru a party seeming to go to speak to someone, or having short chats I feel less exposed then sitting still. (write normal sounding responses to basic questions today, to prepare).

I practice looking at the eyes, or the eye area if need be, and listen to my own voice. (try this now - speak with a little more depth in your voice, and slow it down - it seems to add sincerity when I could care less, because I am personally thinking only of myself while I calmly am screaming inside my head and trying to hide it from you. It also actually triggers a calming response mechanism inside of me.

Most especially, I use muscle tension - I hang my arms very loosly, and squeeze my hands tight. Or squeeze my calves if sitting. My anxiety feels like wild, unleashed flurries, but if I bundle it up, and grip it in one hidden muscle (be careful not to make a cramp) that helps contain it.

I also play with my fingers, thumb to each 4 fingers under a table, faster and faster- but this doesnt work as good as squeezing muscles.

Late post, but I hope it helps anyone.