4 Responses for "How Can I Stop My Anxiety?"

1. spicyt February 8th, 2010 at 8:59 am 1

   College is very stressful and so is just being the age you are. It is normal to have some anxiety. Sounds like your is def out of control. I know school reading is demanding enough, but can you find time to read any self help books (Eckhart Tolle is excellent) That may help you find some “peace”….deep breathing is always good to hellp stop that dizzy out of breath feeling…in slowly thru ur nose, out slowly thru ur mouth.
   You should go to your doctor and perhaps he could precscribe you an antianxiety medication such as xanax and or possibly refer you to a therapist to talk to.
   Just remember that all the other young people there are feeling anxiety too. Try to work thru your shyness by talking or even just smiling at one person each day….you are all just people…no one is any better than the other.
   School is school…the world won’t end if you screw up a paper.
   Just try to relax more. Breathe!!!

2. Amanda February 8th, 2010 at 2:10 pm 2

   please go to your doctor he will prescribe something mild to get you through this until then just imagine your walking into your family home

3. cheap flights to the Philippines February 8th, 2010 at 9:09 pm 3

   Please visit a Doc.

4. Jerry February 9th, 2010 at 1:29 am 4

   Go to: http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome select “social anxiety” for free Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy. An exercise which may help you is called “Act as If.” When you are in a social situation, act as if you are outgoing. Talk more; smile at people, ask questions, speak in a normal or excited tone, not a meek tone. Watch some of your more outgoing peers, and imitate the style of their social behavior. (PRETEND that you are an ACTOR, PLAYING a PART). Research shows that when you “act as if” continually, your image of yourself begins to conform to your new behavior. In this case, you will gain self-esteem and self-confidence, and begin to see yourself as socially normal, not shy. You will become more socially successful, and this will motivate you to continue your new social behavior until it becomes a habit. A form of therapy is to go somewhere that nobody knows you, and deliberately make an utter fool of yourself: put on a paper hat, and yell out: “I’m queen/king of America!”, or something else ridiculous, (make up your own – have some fun, safely) then get back in the taxi, (warn the driver of your intentions, first) or car, and leave. People will point, and say: “Look at that idiot”. Or, possibly in the company of a friend, or family member, on a different train, or bus route to your regular one, call out the names, or numbers of all the stops. It will teach you that, although it isn’t actually pleasant, (EXPECT MODERATE DISCOMFORT/EMBARRASSMENT) you will survive; be stronger for the experience, and the next time (should you need to repeat this type of therapy) will be considerably easier.
   Remember: “A fear avoided is a fear strengthened; a fear faced is a fear reduced.” Regard it as your final test: once you have accomplished it, the barrier will be broken; just don’t go too far, the other way! Learn to laugh at yourself, and give a big, cheesy grin when others see you do something foolish, as we all do, occasionally. It is endearing, if you don’t do it too often. Use positive affirmations: for example: “I am very likable and other people feel comfortable around me”. Write down all of your self limiting beliefs; then write down, or print, in large type/capitalisation, the positive counter of them, (exact opposite) and repeat them and imprint them into your mind. Put it in a prominent position, where you will see it regularly. Most importantly: Force yourself to approach somebody and initiate some sort of communication. Start out small by asking the time, or directions and gradually go bigger. Although there are anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) available, these come with risks, and the possibility of side effects, habituation, even addiction, and withdrawal problems, and are unsuitable for young people. Try having a cup of “Tension Tamer”, herbal tea, by Celestial Seasonings, (from supermarket tea, or health food aisles) or make some at home, and cool, then bottle, and drink as needed. C(h)amomile tea tastes better. As with all herbal/green teas, use lemon/lime, and/or a little sweetener (NOT ARTIFICIAL!!!) but no cream, or milk.