So I have decided to try again. I am taking responsibility and not use my dx as an excuse. Not use the coping strategy of burying myself into my fantasy world and live life in the moment.

My problem is... everything scare me! I am still terrified of social situations. My heart jumps everytime the phone rings or the doorbell rings. One on one i'm ok... but groups of people I still stand there lost.

Does this happen to anyone else? Anyone know any strategies to get past this and put it behind me?

[faerie_moon_x]

Well, I hate talking on the phone. I mean, hate it. Even to people I know. It gives me huge anxiety, I used to even have panic attacks when I'd have to call someone. The best invention ever for me was ordering pizza online... LOL... before that, I never ordered a pizza. This extended into those boxes at the drive in where you order food. They scared me. Isn't that interesting?

So what do I do for a living? I'm a secretary and I call people all day long. Every day. I have to answer the phone. All day long. I still hate it but I can do it without wetting my pants now. The fear is there, but managable most days. Some days i really struggle. But i do it anyway. Facing the fear has made me stronger although hasn't fully eleviated the fear. But once I get home, I avoid the phone like crazy.... lol...

[Trippin2.0]

Group therapy for bp comes to mind... 2 birds, 1 stone... You could practice your social skills in a safe place, and also practice coping mechanisms for panic in a controlled enviroment, like breathing exercises, and get a feel for how groups interact and generally respond and react... Idk, maybe it's a silly idea.

[fibereagle]

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

So I have decided to try again. I am taking responsibility and not use my dx as an excuse. Not use the coping strategy of burying myself into my fantasy world and live life in the moment.

My problem is... everything scare me! I am still terrified of social situations. My heart jumps everytime the phone rings or the doorbell rings. One on one i'm ok... but groups of people I still stand there lost.

Does this happen to anyone else? Anyone know any strategies to get past this and put it behind me?

Hi! Give yourself credit for being to interact one on one. Sometimes that's the hardest to get by.

I struggle with a little bit of both. Whay I've found in dealing with groups is to pick one person and make eye contact. Once you make eye contact things start to happen. It gets easier to participate in whatever conversation is going on.
Sometimes I'll get enough courage and walk right up to a person in the group and introduce myself. That gets the ball going.

I'm very shy. I'm still working on myself. I know you can do it.

[bluemountains]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Well, I hate talking on the phone. I mean, hate it. Even to people I know. It gives me huge anxiety, I used to even have panic attacks when I'd have to call someone. The best invention ever for me was ordering pizza online... LOL... before that, I never ordered a pizza. This extended into those boxes at the drive in where you order food. They scared me. Isn't that interesting?

So what do I do for a living? I'm a secretary and I call people all day long. Every day. I have to answer the phone. All day long. I still hate it but I can do it without wetting my pants now. The fear is there, but managable most days. Some days i really struggle. But i do it anyway. Facing the fear has made me stronger although hasn't fully eleviated the fear. But once I get home, I avoid the phone like crazy.... lol...

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a fear of calling. My husband doesn't get it at all. I don't panic at the drive through, though.

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a fear of calling. My husband doesn't get it at all. I don't panic at the drive through, though.

I also am the only driver and have to do all the ordering at the drive in... haha... and my husband is all 'you call' because I think he knows I'm scared and wants me to face fears...

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Group therapy for bp comes to mind... 2 birds, 1 stone... You could practice your social skills in a safe place, and also practice coping mechanisms for panic in a controlled enviroment, like breathing exercises, and get a feel for how groups interact and generally respond and react... Idk, maybe it's a silly idea.

I would love to give this one a go. Not a silly idea at all.

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

I would love to give this one a go. Not a silly idea at all.

Thanks Dan

[Clinte89]

Im like this I have had panic attacks because I thought I get lost in the crowd. My biggest fear is being stabbed or really being laughed at, so crowds and social situations scare me. I still cant go up to a person and introduce myself but getting better. My best advice is just do it. Its hard, you can panic easily things can seem more dangerous than they are but once you do it going in crowds isnt so bad. Just remember most people are good people.

[sweathers81]

Originally Posted by Clinte89

Im like this I have had panic attacks because I thought I get lost in the crowd. My biggest fear is being stabbed or really being laughed at, so crowds and social situations scare me. I still cant go up to a person and introduce myself but getting better. My best advice is just do it. Its hard, you can panic easily things can seem more dangerous than they are but once you do it going in crowds isnt so bad. Just remember most people are good people.

I feel like that too. Banks r somewhat a problem i feel like at any moment its going to get robbed. Idk y.

[sweathers81]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Well, I hate talking on the phone. I mean, hate it. Even to people I know. It gives me huge anxiety, I used to even have panic attacks when I'd have to call someone. The best invention ever for me was ordering pizza online... LOL... before that, I never ordered a pizza. This extended into those boxes at the drive in where you order food. They scared me. Isn't that interesting?

So what do I do for a living? I'm a secretary and I call people all day long. Every day. I have to answer the phone. All day long. I still hate it but I can do it without wetting my pants now. The fear is there, but managable most days. Some days i really struggle. But i do it anyway. Facing the fear has made me stronger although hasn't fully eleviated the fear. But once I get home, I avoid the phone like crazy.... lol...

I have that same problem, when i was a teen way before cell phones, i was on our house phone all the time. I think about the last 10 years I've developed this. I can go and talk to people, that what i prefer, or better than that.. Texting. i just really hate talking on the Phone!

[BuggsBunny]

e-mail has been my phone savior. I used to be a basket case in a group, but i had a T who would invite me to every family function she had, in an effort to get me thru this. (And, too, because I think she liked my company.) At first, I was a total wreck, but the more i got to know her extended family, the more relaxed i became with them.

This brings me to bp group therapy or a free bp support group. You'll start out a basket case, but I believe the longer you are with the same group, the easier it will become. And in general, this will help with groups that you don't know, because I am now not a major wreck on my own in a group. Not happy, but not a wreck. I can function, as long as you don't ask me to get up and speak to the whole group. That one's a whole different nightmare.

[Seaswept]

I'm not a big phone talker either.

I do better in small groups of people I know.. but if I'm just meeting them I'm way nervous.
I feel like they can see right through me and look at me funny like they know somethings wrong with me. I did so much better when I had Xanax..I miss my Xanax.

And I like Trippin's idea too.

I say things that make no sense to people...alot! cos im so nervous all the time, very clumsy...and this makes me to overcompensate. its hard yep. I have to avoid groups...its better that way

Wow... I really thought I was 'unique' in this area! Thank you! Thank you all, this really has helped me.

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