Tips for dealing with social anxiety in college/Sixth Form?

I've recently started at a new Sixth Form, and I'm having some trouble adjusting. I've managed to speak to people and make friends, but I have soxial anxiety and depression (less acute than it once was), and I'm having a bit of trouble. If I say something even slightly awkward or wrong, I become mortified and instantly think I lack a personality etc. (I know, it sucks.)

If I stutter when speaking, I get really embarrassed and feel as though I sound nervous, which causes me to be put of socialising for the rest of the day. When I'm in a good mood, I can be quite chatty and I've been told I'm really funny to speak to. I just wish I could be that person more often.

Does anyone have any anxiety for overcoming social anxiety? Can you share any personal experience?

Reply 1

darkred

I had pretty bad social anxiety first year uni - self medicated in ways that did not help. In my experience, you have to just put yourself out there out of your comfort zone. With practice it'll become easier to talk to people.

Something I did to overcome talking to people was asking random people at uni for directions or for a pen in lectures or something, small things like that. It really helped with my stutter. At first I couldn't even get words out but I've improved a lot. I can speak to new people now. Of course I can still get nervous in social situations now and I'm not perfect but I'm more confident and more forgiving to myself if I say something weird and awkward.

I also have medication for anxiety which helps in social situations. But I think my biggest improvement came from talking to as many people as I could.

Try not to be harsh on yourself. And breathe!!!