Hi,
I've known for quite a while that I have social anxiety; I haven't been diagnosed with it but I have all the symptoms and have had them for years.
My problem is going to see someone about it, I'm obviously not the most confident person and telling a doctor about it terrifies me.
I'm just wondering what kinds of things he could do about it and whether its worth it in the long run; I've been like this a very long time so have trouble seeing myself without SA and if they are just going to give me drugs which may or may not work on my case I don't see much point and would rather save myself the agro.
Also are there any methods anxiety people in general use to calm themselves down, I sometimes hyperventilate in crowded places and I can't get out of somewhere like a bus very easily so was hoping for some advice.

If you are having major panic attacks these solutions will probably not help you, however, for social anxiety and the occasional anxiety attack these holistic remedies may help.

Kava Kava - This herb helps a lot with minor anxiety. You will read a lot about liver problems, but that is just the FDA trying to scare consumers away from a holistic remedy which actually works.

Valerian - Callms the nervous system and can really help in the morning as a hot cup of tea. Same as the Kava.

Exercise - getting in shape has proven to increase the seratonin levels in the brain creating a natural anti-depressant as well as getting you into better shape so self-esteem is improved. This one is pretty huge. If you can get to the gym a few times a week, you will feel an immediate effect.

Eating better - stay away from sugar, cafeine, alcohol, cigarettes, etc and balance your diet so you are not eating all kinds of preservatives and are intaking an occasional vitamin.

Multi-Vitamin with B vitamins - B vitamins are incredibly helpful for the nervous system and the rest of the vitamins help the rest of your body. I would advise everyone to take a multi-vitamin.

Meditation - training your mind through deep relaxation and mindfulness meditation has been probably the most succesful holistic remedy of them all for me. It actually led to three years symptom free when I crashed after college.

If all else fails and you have seen the doctor about every disease under the sun then consider Xanax. It has dramatically changed my life. I still implement the exercise, eating well, and meditation, but the Xanax took away the panic. I am very greatful to have found a doctor that gave me a drug that didn't make my anxiety worse. After the loads of crap I had been on in my past I was very hesitant, but it turned out to be a blessing. I have been panic free for 3 months and I was really losing it 3 months ago, so major change there. Try the holistic remedies first, but if it doesn't quite do it for ya, then consider a good doctor.

Hello, :) . i have had social anxiety, depression, i hyperventillate in crowded place too, and so i got sick and tired of being this way, it was horrible! so i went to a doctor (by myself) and the waiting room was full of people. i actually hyperventilated while i waited to see the doctor and my heart rate was up when they checked it. i didnt even see a doctor, the nurse gave me buspar and it sucked. i recommend going to a doctor First, get some kind of medicine before you go try to tell your problems to somebody, i dont think i could do that without some kind of medication. now i take zoloft 50 mg and it helps me but i need to go to a psycologist too, it would help for somebody who specializes in this to help me fix it. good luck!