Social Anxiety and Support systems

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Anyone who has experienced an Anxiety Episode (also called Anxiety Attacks) know how very frightening they can be. Many times the symptoms are so severe, people end up in Emergency rooms. They are very real, and terrifying symptoms. Social Anxiety can feel very much like a heart attack, and often begin with difficulty breathing and a tightness in the chest.

Although, the symptoms turn out to be benign, the emotional trauma of anxiety attacks is very real. You can't ignore the symptoms, because what if it really IS a heart attack! We'll examine what happens during an anxiety attack, and discuss some alternatives to drugs and chemicals. Only you and your doctor can decide the best course of action, but there are alternatives.

Anxiety Attacks Explained

The Brain's Response

The University college London, in 2007, released findings that indicate that the activity in the brain, at the onset of an anxiety attack, moves from the front, to the mid section of the brain. This was shown in various done throughout the study.

The Front part of the brain, is where logic, decision making, and rationalization takes place. The mid section of the brain is where our "Fight or Flight" instinct kicks in. Anyone who has experienced an Anxiety attack knows that feeling all too well. This is the body's way of reacting to a potential threat.

What Anxiety attack sufferers also know is once the cycle is set in motion, and we feel those first "threats" of the attack, it is difficult to set back the natural response. That's when the mid section of the brain takes over.

Many people have tried deep breathing techniques to help stop the anxiety attack once it's triggered. This has helped some people, however, not all. Deep breathing is trying to instill calm in the brain after the threat has been perceived. It would be like building a dam after the flood waters arrive. Many people also take anti-anxiety drugs, which can be very effective, however, they do not stop the problem from occurring in the future. Even your doctor will tell you that medication is a short term solution to the problem.

Artists rendition of "Panic Attack" 

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Share your opinion

Everyone has different views on Anxiety attacks, but unless you've had them, they are difficult to explain.

What do you think is the best way to treat Social Anxiety?

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Medication and/or Feedback

Chemical free alternatives

eccles1 says:

Chemical free alternatives is our only real help

 

Do you recognize these symptoms

Although it can manifest itself in different ways, there are several symptoms that seem to be synonymous with Social Anxiety.


  • Dizzy spells that lead to panic

  • Tightness in the chest and shortness of breath

  • Racing heart and tingling sensations

  • Obsessive worries and unwanted thoughts

  • Not feeling connected to what is going on around you

  • Overwhelming fear that the anxiety will push you over the edge?



Remember, as soon as your body begins one of these "reactions," you are then put into the Fight or Flight response. It's what your brain does.

The Brain's Response

I cannot stress enough that once the brain perceives danger, it will react. Our brains have been trained, with a combination of primal responses, along with our own experiences to set in motion a chain of events.

Help and Support

Finding a way that works for you

Often, it is helpful to know that there are so many other people who experience Social Anxiety, and Anxiety attacks. You are not alone. You may receive a different piece of advise from each person.

If you have tried conventional methods of treatment, and still suffer from Social Anxiety, other options may be worth looking into.

Know that there are places, even online, that can offer you support and also offer what could very well be a solution to your social anxiety. It is a drug free solution, but stopping any medication without doctor approval is not advised. Only stop the medications you are on after consulting a doctor. He or she may be very pleased you want to try a treatment without medications!

Drug Free Anxiety Relief Treatment is one option you can explore to help rid yourself of Anxiety Attacks. Often, just finding out the facts, and researching information, with some coaching, is all you need.

Some anxiety relief methods, like Easy Calm offer deals on a particular method which has worked for them, and others, and offers some support for Anxiety Sufferers by explaining in absolute detail what causes you to have anxiety attacks, and how to stop them.

Take control

Researching the best way to handle your Social Anxiety is the first step in taking control of the situation. Control the Anxiety attacks instead of letting them control you. Investigating which methods may work for you only costs you some of your time. From there, you can make informed decisions about your course of action!

More options

Relieving or eliminating Social Anxiety

Often, one technique alone does not solve the problem. Much like medication without therapy does not solve Anxiety Attacks. One site, which involves The Linden Method offers a complete package, which includes a variety of methods to help both physically and mentally. Some, like these, have a very holistic approach to eliminating your Social Anxiety.

You must take control of your Anxiety Attacks, and stop letting them control you. How you choose to do this will be a very personal matter. Often, it's just following the advice of others who have been there. Each program will differ, so choose which is right for you!

Social anxiety can, and often does lead to isolation, self-imposed, but unwanted isolation. The fear of losing control, the expectation of impending doom, the heart palpitations, are all too real. Finding a method of easing or eliminating those symptoms can seem like a lifesaver! Remember, do not suddenly cease taking medication your doctor has you on! Try a drug free method, if that is your goal, but do not stop your medication unless your doctor knows that is what you are doing. Finding that the drug free method works for you will be good news for your doctor too!

Our computerized brains 

Have you ever experienced an anxiety attack?

  • spirituality Nov 7, 2008 @ 8:01 am | delete
    I've experienced this only once. And it scared me enough (though I guess fear is a symptom as well) that I insisted on going to the emergency room to see a doctor. Deep breathing certainly did not help me. What did help was finding out that there was in fact no reason to fear for a heart attack or something.
  • eccles1 Nov 5, 2008 @ 5:03 pm | delete
    I think you are right it's all about understanding our mind and how we want it healthy so that it works for us not against us great job!
  • RinchenChodron Oct 30, 2008 @ 8:09 am | delete
    Way cool lens - well done *****

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