New Guy - Been Anxious for about 3 years

[Jonathan25]

Hello everyone,

I am 24 and have what I think is social anxiety. I think it started forming in my senior year of college. Its gotten progressively worse since then.

I am currently reading How to Control your Anxiety before it Controls you by Albert Ellis. Some things seem helpful, others don't.

I think this is something I can beat because I was not born with this, but formed it. I am making this my mission now to beat it and return to my life that I feel as if has been on hold.

I think my anxiety is based on negative thinking but its almost un-conscience thinking because I am a confident person and I think I am a good person with value. But I can't shake this trend its driving me nuts.

I take xanax when I feel an anxiety attack coming on or when I know that I will be in an anxiety provoking situation.

I am glad I found this forum.

Hello Everyone!

[isis2383]

Welcome to the forum... Let me know what you think of the book once you finish reading it. Its great to hear you have a positive outlook on conquering your anxiety. Im wishing you the best!

[abcdefghix]

Jonathan

Take the Albert Ellis book and THROW IT AWAY. It will make your problems much worse. You may already be noticing this--if not, continue to practice the techniques in the book and you will soon realize that things are getting worse, not better.

Here is the problem: if you try to "control" your anxiety, you will end up 1000 times more anxious as a result. It is a vicious circle.

Please buy the book "Get out of your mind and into your life" by Steven Hayes or the book "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris. These books use a groundbreaking new therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This therapy is infinitely better than what you are working with right now, I promise. Please give it a try, it has the potential to change your life.

[ron111]

Hey jon,

I think I'm in a similiar boat as you. I was never born with this. I was always very confident. I had a little social anxiety, but I think that is normal to an extent. I have also been trying to shake this for a while. But I think the poster below made a good point. Don't try to stop it. I'm trying to accept it now.