What is the root cause of social anxiety?

[LadyGamer]

Hello, I'm a 21 year old female, and I get frequent anxiety attacks when I'm in public places. I notice that I get them when I'm in a super market, the mall, restaurants, or anywhere that is overly crowded. When I do get them, my chest begins to tighten, and I feel that the people around me are judging me. The questions that around flying in my head are: ' why are these people looking at me?' 'what do they think about me?'. I'm a college student, and I use to be able to give oral presentations as if it was nothing, and now its difficult and painful emotionally. I dropped an English class because I wasn't able to concentrate and the class was based on speech techniques. Now I'm worried if I will be able to graduate with my degree in performing arts, or just filed for a new major. I really love music and hope to become a music instructor but this social anxiety is killing me. What do I do? I don't wish to be taking any medication because last year, I was treated for my depression/anxiety with Prozac, and the drug was doing damage to my stomach. Any recommendations?

[King Hippo]

cool story bro.

[Member Four]

I am sorry for what you're going through, I understand all too well. I'm also a college student, majoring in marketing, and my social anxiety has greatly worsened and I get panic attacks just as you described.

I am in the early stages of treatment. I've been doing cognitive behavioural therapy which has already helped a bit. It just involves talking to a designated doctor who helps you realize mind-body connections and learn how to control your behaviours. It sounds flaky, but keep an open mind. Therapy in general would definitely be a good idea.

I am taking Wellbutrin for depression, which is also supposed to help with the anxiety, and I take Lorazepam to help with sleep and prior to situations that could cause panic attacks, which is many. The lorazepam helps, just calms me down enough I don't let my fears overtake me.

I wouldn't let your experience with Prozac turn you off medication. Prozac is known to be fairly problematic in some individuals. There are many other anti-anxiety medications out there that are effective and won't hurt your stomach.

I would continue your degree if that's what you really want to do, because this anxiety is something you can learn to control.

Just don't let yourself fall between the cracks. Keep in close contact with a doctor or therapist, and if things don't work out with one doctor, find another one to help you. This is something you can beat.

Best of luck!

[secretperson]

its a good thing you got off the Prozac, because many people dont realize that any kind of antidepressants screw with your brain chemicals, which lead to problems worse than social anxiety. I just think you feel extremely self conscience around people and maybe it would help if you found a way to walk with confidence. I have social anxiety, and im still working on it. So far, the only thing that can help is raising your confidence level.

[?]

I'd stop that Business of thinking people might be judging you. Maybe they just don't have a life, if that was the case. Especially stop that part about what they might be thinking about you. Unless you were getting a paycheck to fit in other people's views, it isn't worth beating yourself over the head trying to read into what others are thinking. They might be having the same problems too.
You ask what is the root cause of social anxiety? I speak for myself when I say that I feel it has alot to with commercialism and the film industry. Example: You're not pretty if you don't...whatever...cause this product will...whatever...fullfill you and those around you. Sound familier?

[Robert]

Thanks for sharing this, I had similar feelings...

One thing I do to help is to realize first that we are all the same. =.

Part of my social anxiety is from being bombarded everyday by "bad" news, from media, people killing people, tv, what little I even watch, and history like Sept 11 attacks, and Hitler burning people.

I felt like these were so terrible I couldn't go out in a world like this.

I read this book called Mindfulness by Ellen J Langer. I highly suggest it as a tool to help. It put life in a different perspective for me and enabled me to get a little better.

I'm still getting back to feeling like my younger confident self.

I like music too. Please stay with it and don't let anxiety win even for a second. People aren't looking at you and judging you. They are just trying to get around and do what they have to do for the day.

We only get so many days on this rock, Lets remember that and make each day count like it is the last!!!

Do not be so hard on yourself.

Something I saw myself doing also...Please do not take offense to this....

When the questions start flying around like: ' why are these people looking at me?' 'what do they think about me?

It is all centered around you, you, you. (this was my biggest problem, I think) To be able to look past yourself and realize that people aren't looking at you and judging. I looked past myself and saw, whoa, eventhough I used to think that everyone is looking at me and judging, or thinking I'm doing something the wrong way I know now that they aren't. -change in thinking-

Now if you start to have these feelings you can say 'stop'. I know this way of thinking isn't true.

We all do about the same thing everyday... I do not judge or feel the need to control someone else and if we are all the same, neither are all the people in our heads.

Keep on head strong!!!!!!!!! We are all hear cheering you on!!!!!!!! Get your degree!!!!! You Can Do It!!!!!!!

p.s. Remember that noone is perfect and you are doing the best you can. Sometimes we set out for the moon, and only get to the top of a mountain. But that is okay. It's better than nothing.