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my-dicks-sore t1_jegm5rz wrote

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a licensed Psychologist.

This is the only real answer to make a difference.

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[deleted] OP t1_jegi2yo wrote

[deleted]

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my-dicks-sore t1_jegm8mk wrote

This will only make it worse. You will go deeper into safety behaviours and reassurance seeking and reinforce the anxiety. Exposure therapy is to be done in later stages when dealing with anxiety - not at the beginning.

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cor-tensteel t1_jegi77v wrote

  1. Find a therapist
  2. Go to therapy
  3. Continue to struggle with social anxiety, but not having it consume my entire life anymore
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wavveygravvey t1_jegjl0c wrote

Approach every situation with your head up. Watch people talk to you and read their body language. Challenge yourself to keep your head up instead of being the one who looks down in anxiety.

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Ayumi-uwu t1_jegjt48 wrote

Practice talking to people using small talk.... Talking on phone using chat bots because I have 0 friends 😂

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thewisetoomustdie t1_jegxoiz wrote

Therapy first of all.

Also having one or two "safe" friends that you can practice being social on, as dumb as it sounds. For me they are my best friends who I experienced little anxiety with to begin with. Talking with them always helped my confidence because it showed me I could hold a conversation and be fun just fine. For a while I was pretty dependent on them in any social situation, I'd feel so lost without them. But they were fine with me "using" them in that way, and one of them used me right back when she was anxious haha. Slowly I started getting to know more people and feeling less anxious every single time. I still get major anxiety with certain people or situations now though, but I've built my inner safe circle up enough to not have to dread hanging out with people everytime. I try not to bail on plans even if I'm nervous, because isolating just feeds the socially anxious monster and I never wanna reach a point of complete social isolation again.

I guess I realized it's okay to need a little extra support or time with things. I started small and slow, and am super proud of what I've achieved. It's hard (continuous) work but definitely possible.

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