10 replies to this topic

[guyledouche]

Ever since high school I will occasionally get myself sleep deprived before a day at work or before a stressful social situation. I have noticed that it helps my social anxiety a lot. I know that its not healthy though. It gives me that "punch drunk" feeling that people get if they stay up too late. Are there any other safer tips that you guys know of??? I really need some help. Caffeine helps a lot also but Im trying to cut back on it.

[Shepard]

What is your exercise regimen like? In my experience, nothing is better for social anxiety and/or confidence.

[guyledouche]

What is your exercise regimen like? In my experience, nothing is better for social anxiety and/or confidence.

I do about 3 sets of push ups about 2-3 days a week. I also do some occasional sit-ups and bent over rows. When I used to work out more intensely about 4-5 times a week my social anxiety was much less pronounced and my confidence was better. I just cant seem to find the energy to exercise as much as I used to. I also should up my complex carb intake I believe, its kinda low right now.

[FunkOdyssey]

Ever since high school I will occasionally get myself sleep deprived before a day at work or before a stressful social situation. I have noticed that it helps my social anxiety a lot. I know that its not healthy though. It gives me that "punch drunk" feeling that people get if they stay up too late. Are there any other safer tips that you guys know of??? I really need some help. Caffeine helps a lot also but Im trying to cut back on it.

That's the calming influence of cortisol that you are enjoying after depriving yourself of sleep. Exercise is a good suggestion. For a direct biochemical approach, I would use theanine to reproduce the positive aspects of that high cortisol mental state. It takes alot to rattle someone that just popped a few hundred milligrams of theanine, and its good for you to boot.

[Shepard]

I don't really buy the lack of energy argument. Most healthy people have much more energy than they realize, it's just that initial push that is hard to do.

[guyledouche]

yep, I already use theanine. If I take more than 100mg's of it I get really tired. The theanine makes me more comfortable but it also makes me kinda quiet. I use it with caffeine cause the caffeine makes me real chatty. Im still experimenting with the theanine, its one of the only things that I have found that makes me real comfy around people. The only things I currently take are, multi, fish oil, theanine, caffeine, and bacopa.(cant feel a difference from bacopa yet)
EDIT: I also use nicotine now. Not every day though, only as needed.

I don't really buy the lack of energy argument. Most healthy people have much more energy than they realize, it's just that initial push that is hard to do.

Yes, thats kinda what I feel like. I have energy but Im lazy sometimes and its hard for me to get motivated to exercise.

Edited by guyledouche, 15 March 2006 - 03:42 AM.

[xanadu]

I've seen studies that showed the lack of sleep helped temporarily with schizophrenia and other mental conditions. It can also help with depression but it doesn't last.

I would recommend, in addition to excercise, that you get into yoga or something similar. Stretching and relaxing helps very much with anxiety. You also have to learn to breath properly. Short panting breath will add to the stress you feel while long deep breathing will do the opposite. Learn to relax every muscle in your body in groups. After a while you will be able to do it without lying down or being in a darkened room. For temporary help, try phenibut. It's not a long term fix and can lead to dependence if you use it too often. It's great for those once a month situations that you feel panicy about. A good diet, and a regimen of vitamins and fish oil will help very much as well.

[ajnast4r]

try bach flower essense

http://www.bachcentre.com/

[maestro949]

Overcoming social anxiety requires gaining confidence in yourself to be able to function in them. The best way to achieve this is by exposing yourself to more opportunities and when you do so, try and force yourself to think of the perspective of the situation... a perspective from say 5 miles up where there are millions of people below you and you are simply just one in a very similar situations and that many others, even those in the same room as you, are feeling the same way.

[guyledouche]

For temporary help, try phenibut.

oops. forgot to add that one. I also take phenibut about once every week or two. It helps very well for those bad days.

try bach flower essense

http://www.bachcentre.com/

ajnast, your being sarcastic right? that bach flower stuff has placebo effect written all over it.

try and force yourself to think of the perspective of the situation... a perspective from say 5 miles up where there are millions of people below you and you are simply just one in a very similar situations and that many others, even those in the same room as you, are feeling the same way.

How would one go about thinking that? do you mean to imagine that you are looking down on everyone from a birds eye view? I'll give it a shot. Never tried that.

[maestro949]

How would one go about thinking that?  do you mean to imagine that you are looking down on everyone from a birds eye view?  I'll give it a shot.  Never tried that.

Yes. Birds eye view. Unless you have a severe chemical imbalance that needs hormonal treatment, the power of positive thinking and using your imagination to alter your perceptions around your mental weaknesses is far more powerful than any compound you ingest.