Learn how to overcome anxiety with Matthew Hussey. He describes the symptoms of social anxiety disorder and social phobia.
If you have social anxiety, it means you are human. He normalizes it and talks about how he used to avoid social situations. He points out, people tend to over identify with social anxiety and get stuck with the label. He describes symptoms of social anxiety as a sense of not belonging, that everyone else gets it and I don't. He realized when he is out of his element, he starts to feel socially anxious.
He changed his perspective of social anxiety and see himself as a human being who sometimes feels anxious.
Here are his 3 steps to overcome anxiety:
#1 Get familiar with social environments. Go to coffee shops, bars, night clubs several times until that place becomes familiar. New place it can feel like a jungle, scary, threatening, overwhelming.
#2 Start small. When meeting people at a party or social function, start with one or two people. Just talk with one person at a party with hundred people. Start with a simple hello. His intention is first to just get comfortable with the situation, not to be liked or make friends, or get a date. See that person as an individual, or just another human being, as interesting and fun.
#3 Be generous with your energy. You walk in thinking everyone is thinking of YOU. Instead, ask yourself how can I make them feel happy. Rather than trying to get, give to them instead. Make others feel good.
Avoid the trap of over identifying with your anxiety. As you chip away at this you will feel better!
Learn how to overcome anxiety with a mental health professional with over 20 years of experience in Seattle and Bellevue. Get support and hands on training using CBT and other effective treatment options.
Learn proven techniques to experience lasting relief from anxiety. Schedule your free consultation today.
If you have social anxiety, it means you are human. He normalizes it and talks about how he used to avoid social situations. He points out, people tend to over identify with social anxiety and get stuck with the label. He describes symptoms of social anxiety as a sense of not belonging, that everyone else gets it and I don't. He realized when he is out of his element, he starts to feel socially anxious.
He changed his perspective of social anxiety and see himself as a human being who sometimes feels anxious.
Here are his 3 steps to overcome anxiety:
#1 Get familiar with social environments. Go to coffee shops, bars, night clubs several times until that place becomes familiar. New place it can feel like a jungle, scary, threatening, overwhelming.
#2 Start small. When meeting people at a party or social function, start with one or two people. Just talk with one person at a party with hundred people. Start with a simple hello. His intention is first to just get comfortable with the situation, not to be liked or make friends, or get a date. See that person as an individual, or just another human being, as interesting and fun.
#3 Be generous with your energy. You walk in thinking everyone is thinking of YOU. Instead, ask yourself how can I make them feel happy. Rather than trying to get, give to them instead. Make others feel good.
Avoid the trap of over identifying with your anxiety. As you chip away at this you will feel better!
Learn how to overcome anxiety with a mental health professional with over 20 years of experience in Seattle and Bellevue. Get support and hands on training using CBT and other effective treatment options.
Learn proven techniques to experience lasting relief from anxiety. Schedule your free consultation today.