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Social anxiety or just a panic attack?
In university well at least in my school since the classes have at least 300-1000 students sometimes they would split us up into smaller class rooms called tutorials with about 50 maximum students. My tutorial teacher doesn't really know how to teach so he forces us to read our assignments out to the class, every Monday I dread going to the tutorial since he always makes us read usually I'm always anxious but today my heart was beating super fast and loud, and my face started getting hot and tingling. Then when it was my turn to read, I read it and he just nodded his head and moved on to the next person but when other people read he would comment so when he nodded my eyes started to water and I had to blink back tears because I didn't wanna cause a scene or bring attention to myself but my eyes were watering for about 20 mins and my heart was still beating fast even after my turn was done, my heart stopped racing really fast after about 10 minutes. I've had something like this before where in grade 12 I was presenting in front of the class with 3 other girls, majority of the class were judgemental people and I don't like being judged, so when it was my turn to speak my eyes started blacking out, I started to stutter and and my face was getting hot and tingly again, luckily my part was small or else I would've fainted right in front of everyone. Anyways do you think this is social anxiety or just panic attacks or both? If I told my tutorial teacher that speaking in front of the class gives me panic attacks do you think he will care or would he ask for a doctors note? (I've had a mini panic attack when I was about 16 and I told my mom, she didn't wanna take me to the doctor because sometimes those pills mess you up) and just a little background information on me I'm a 17 year old female about to be 18 in 2 months, most people would say I'm awkward, shy and quiet. I'm an introvert I don't like socializing with people and I don't like parties or places where I don't know the people cause it's just awkward for me. I don't have any guy friends, most guys think I'm awkward around them when I'm awkward around everybody and that's about it
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It sounds like you had an anxiety attack. It differs from a panic attack but does stem from social anxiety. There's a difference between being shy and being socially anxious - the obvious difference being that social anxiety disorder makes you completely panic, and shyness just makes you feel uncomfortable. Also, you know it's S.A.D when it affects your life and gets in the way of your daily routine. If you're in complete panic over reading out loud, that does sound like a social anxiety thing. However, I'm not specified to diagnose you, so if I were you I'd visit a doctor to find out what help is available for you. I know your mom doesn't want you to take pills, but you don't have to take pills. There's also the option of various therapeutic strategies and other things you can discuss with your doctor. Don't live in fear, you have every right to ask for help and to improve your mental health. Well done for reaching out to someone, that's brave!
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I had severe social anxiety as a kid and up until my Sr yr in HS when I was finally sick and tired of being this way and wanted to be more like my Dad, outgoing, friendly, able to make friends, self assured and not scared at all. I did pray asking God to help. I was given specific instructions to follow and they worked, I was cured.
Then about 9 mos ago I read a book by a psychologist who tries and uses any and all methods known to Drs. other than trying medicine first and surprisingly, the majority of people, even those who've been this way for years and for whom medicine didn't work, got great results. ANd the biggeset surprise was that what he wrote as the specific thing to do for my type of anxiety is Exactly the same as what I heard from God.
Not being a Dr. myself but someone who knows what it feels like, I believe that anxiety, like the one you have and I had, can open the door to panic attacks. Perhaps other anxieties don't all lead to panic attacks. Like someone who doesnt want to leave the house, as long as they are at home, they are pretty much okay. But we live in a world where we need to talk to people and not being able to do so is easily going to put you into panic attacks. Yes, it all sounds familiar, getting real shaky, and wanting to cry or actually crying. I was so bad that I wouldnt look people in the eyes and just smile. I was afraid that a smile or a Hello would encourage them to talk to me and I was terrified of having to talk to people, so never mind book reports or talking in front of class, that was all beyond terrified, although I don't recall ever blacking out due to it.
So the question I have for you is, would you rather try to get a Drs. note excusing you from talking in class or try ways to get rid of your anxieties and panic attacks, most likely without medication? If you want to work on it, its scary at first but its very simple and I'd be glad to share with you what I did. Today I am someone who goes to meet my new neighbors the day after they move in, I usually start conversations with people rather than wait for them to start, I am friendly and outgoing and have no trouble talking in front of people. In fact, I now enjoy the attention and actually love the challenge of being able to make people laugh. Quite some change.
If you and Mom might like to check out the book and its author, here's his website first:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
the author is Dr. David D. Burns
and the book is called "When Panic Attacks". I've also read the New Mood Therapy. Go thoroughly thru the website. Watch any videos with Dr. Burns in it to hear his story. He used to push only meds until collegues long ago told him about the other therapies. He became an author to share this information with average people like you and me so that we could know there is hope and that people have been cured.
In one test, patients were told they had to wait for a few weeks to get in for an appt and in the meanwhile to read that book. Before the date of peoples appts with Dr. they were calling to cancel stating tjhey were cured from reading the book.
My opinion is that lots sounds the same, its like a Dr. trying to define just what mental illness a person has as there is much overlay in symptoms. So tho eye opening and helpful, I still found the book a challenge cus he does ask you at the end of a chapter on a particular persons issue to give some answers based on what is going on, what exactly is the person suffering from and I could hardly ever get it right. Its a fine science dear. But in this case, I would suggest seeing a Psychologist, however, only ones trained in CBT cognitive behavioral therapy or something else like that. Medicine though still prescribed is a last choice for those who don't respond to other therapy but luckily it seems that the majority of people, no matter how long affected, or how badly, they recover. I loved reading the comments of those helped in the website.
If you decide to find a Dr. make sure the parents help you find one that does CBT or T.E.A.M. methods and if you can't find one, I would go to the website and ask Dr. Burns for referrals in your area.
Here's hoping to a bright happy future anxiety free for you dear. Good luck!!!
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We are not doctors and it would be wrong of us to make a diagnoses. What I would recommend since this is interfering with your ability to get your education and have a social life is that you do the following,
First; see a family practice doctor for a complete physical to rule out any organic reason for this problem.
Second; I would then see either a psychologist or psychiatrist to talk about the problem. My recommendation would be to see a board certified psychiatrist first for they are best trained to help you. No you do not have a mental illness. Social anxiety and panic attacks general stem from lack of hormones secreted into the brain. Since these hormones are secreted into the brain the psychiatrist is the best doctor to medicate.
Third, The psychiatrist will most likely recommend talk therapy with a psychologist. This is an excellent suggestion as the psychologist can help you adapt not only to the medication but how you will feel with it and how you can enter life as a new person.
This is like an algebra problem. You must do all the steps in order. The physical could reveal an organic problem or not. Then there is medication to replace what your missing. The medication does not have to mess you up if it does tell the doctor and they will adjust it. The psychologist is your new best friend someone you can tell your deepest secrets to. He or she will help you put to rest these problems.
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