How I overcame social anxiety - my journey
After 2 years of therapy and consistent effort, I finally feel comfortable in social situations. I wanted to share my journey in case it helps anyone else struggling with social anxiety. **What helped me the most:** 1. **Finding the right therapist** - It took three tries, but finding someone who specialized in CBT and exposure therapy made all the difference. 2. **Small steps** - I started with ordering coffee, then moved to small group settings, and eventually larger social events. 3. **Self-compassion** - Learning to be kind to myself on bad days was crucial. Not every day will be perfect, and that's okay. 4. **Support system** - Having friends and family who understood my struggle and supported me without pressure was invaluable. 5. **Medication** - After discussing with my psychiatrist, a low dose of medication helped take the edge off while I worked on coping strategies. The journey isn't over, but I'm so grateful for how far I've come. If you're struggling, please don't give up. It gets better with the right support and consistent effort. Feel free to ask me anything!
Replies
Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm currently in therapy for social anxiety and this gives me hope. How long did it take before you noticed significant improvement?
This is so inspiring! I especially relate to the part about self-compassion. I'm still learning to be patient with myself on difficult days.
What type of exposure therapy exercises did you start with? I'm interested in trying this approach but not sure where to begin.