My name is David and I have Social Phobia. I was very shy at school and because I was different and couldn’t stand up for myself I was bullied. I didn’t say anything because I was too frightened and I didn’t wish to make the situation worse.
Just the thought of going places made me anxious and I would have a panic attack. At that time I didn’t know what they were and always thought I might have a heart attack. I began to be afraid of just going to work and I never went to Christmas parties or even family weddings.
I felt I wasn’t good enough and people were looking at me all the time and thinking I was strange. I used to blush and sweat a lot. These symptoms I felt made people look at me even more.
One day I found an article in a magazine about anxiety and it had No Panic’s Help Line telephone number. It took me weeks to ring. I found that I had a condition called Social Phobia. I felt relieved I could actually put a name to it. They recommended reading material and I learned that although panic attacks were unpleasant they wouldn’t harm me. I thought that is true because I always survived my panic attacks.
Eventually, I picked up the courage to go to my doctor and found I could have Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I also did a one to one Mentoring course with No Panic. I learned how to control my anxiety and Cognitive Therapy really worked.
Over time I realized people were too busy with their own life to be interested in me. I also tried to look at people and smile. They actually smiled back. I began to gain my self-confidence. There is still a way to go but I can actually believe I can get better from this. I might not always find it easy, but I know my worst scenario and what if thoughts are not true.
David
How can No Panic help?
No Panic specialises in self-help recovery and our services include:
Providing people with the skills they need to manage their condition and work towards recovery.
Our aim is to give you all of the necessary advice, tools and support that you will need to recover and carry out this journey. No Panic Recovery Programs