mystic

As I have written on another topic here, I have (had) social anxiety for the last three years. It looks like that I have overcome it. My suggestion is to do the following: 1. Don't take medication. 2. Don't visit a psychiatrist. Their job is to give medication to people (based only on what people say to them and no real diagnosis). 3. Don't take drugs never and ever again. 4. Don't drink alcohol never and ever again. 5. Visit a psychologist for support. 6. Meditate. 7. Excercise on a regular basis (try yoga, pilates, running). 8. Eat vegetables and fresh fruits. 9. Visit a holistic doctor. 10. Try probiotics (This is what I believe helped me the most!). 11. Check your B12 levels and take a supplement if needed. 12. Don't eat meat more than twice a month. 13. Don't eat eggs and dairy. 14. Don't eat sugar. 15. Don't eat fast/packed food. I followed the above for a year and the results are amazing (I have become a vegetarian and I am a wannabe vegan actually)! What I believe is that it is ok to feel anxiety and it is okay to try to fix the excessive anxiety, but your body should be able to handle it. Treat your body well, love yourself, take care of yourself! Never, ever give up! Best of luck!

Well I have to write my experience from a few days ago. I believe that it will motivate you. On last Sunday I met for the first time the parents of my girlfriend. It was the most anxious day of my life, but I was able to act normally for the 1st time for the last 3 years. There was no shaking, no dizziness, no social anxiety symptoms. I felt anxious, but the symptoms didn't appear. I cannot describe how happy I feel right now. I wish you good luck. Never give up!

@Whatev3r Please don't try ssri.. My suggestion would be to try to find a holistic doctor. Veganism might help you. It did help me in addition to the following: 1. quit alcohol 2. quit smoking 3. quit fast food 4. exercise 5. try probiotics (http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f11/amazing-results-from-my-probiotic-1615178/) 6. check B12 levels and try getting some B-complex supplement Don't do drugs, don't take medication! If you need more info on anything of the above you can contact me. My social anxiety appeared when I was 27, now I am 30 and after 1 year on veganism and healthy diet I am getting better and better. I used to take some Inderal on social occasions that I couldn't stand just for not start shaking in front of everybody. It helped me too. There is no hope, just faith! Have faith..

I believe that this kind of motivation takes you away from Enlightenment. I really did not like these videos. I believe they are not needed.

@popi Well after a year I feel amazing right now, but I had problems with the B12 vitamin a few months ago and this is why I wrote the above. Of course it may take years for the deficiency to evolve but that was not the case for me. Last September my B12 was about 700pg/mL and 6 months later was about 200pg/mL. The difference is huge. I cannot describe how I felt. My doctor (who is a vegan too and suggested me to become one) said that it was not because of the diet but because of alcohol and stress which may reduce your B12 levels as well. My iron levels have increased though! So just in case, make blood tests periodically and exercise!

Being a vegan for a year now I have some very important advises for you. Firstly please visit a nutritionist to help you understand what you have to eat to benefit from a veganism diet. Secondly have in every 4 months blood tests and check your B12 and iron levels.

Well, except sex, which I believe is great for the brain, no I don't take/do any of the above. I understand what you are trying to say though. In any case let's agree that we have a different perspective on this. As I said in another topic, reading Oshos teachings I read that to achieve Enlightenment at first you must have the desire to get there. Secondly you must cleanse yourself. This means you must have a healthy body first and then clean your thoughts and your emotions. This is what Osho believed and sounds very logical to me. For me reading that people are taking mushrooms for spiritual reasons is like trying to "cheat" just to get there. Again: I am just writing my point of view. I am not judging anyone. For me the road to Enlightenment is a road through love and what I believe is that by taking drugs someone just does not love himself. Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong. I am open to hear your point of view!

I am not patronizing anyone. I am just saying that I cannot understand why someone would take drugs. It was like a question. Take whatever you want.

"It should be noted that like all 'major' hallucinogens, psilocybin can precipitate psychotic episodes and uncover or aggravate previous mental illness. If you're stressed out or depressed, don't take mushrooms; if you have schizophrenia or something alike, DO NOT take mushrooms." Of course you already know this. I really cannot understand why you are taking drugs. Your body should be clean. Keep it clean!

Hello to everybody, my question for you is how do you deal with moments with high levels of stress. When you have to make a presentation for example. It has been a huge problem for me for the last years and I still have not found a solution. Thank you!

There is a connection between social anxiety, shyness and probiotics. Please google it, it may help you! http://www.heysigmund.com/a-simple-way-to-reduce-social-anxiety/

I suggest the ultimate yogi dvds: https://udaya.com/108-days-challenge// I believe that if you start by doing random lessons you will get bored and quit. The ultimate yogi program has a specific schedule for each day.

@Kevin Dunlop & @Sarah_Flagg Thank you for your replies! The presentations were just an example. The same applies when for every moment that a normal person feels a little bit uncomfortable. I feel uncomfortable when I have to speak in front of many people, when I have to meet my girlfriends parents, when I am in a job interview etc. I believe that everybody feels like this in similar situations. The thing for me is that I have always been a cool person. I have never felt stress and anxiety in my life until a day three years ago. No I do not want to avoid these situations. I am a great speaker and a very social person. I have to find a solution!

Thank you for your reply @Vaishnavi. I can be relaxed very easily. I have learned how to calm my mind and body very fast. The problem is that I cannot do it under pressure. And a presentation in front of 200-500 people is not just a presentation. It was just an example though..

@Extreme Z7 No I haven't and I do not understand what you mean by that!

@charlie2dogs Thank you once again for the reply and the motivation. You are a great person.

I am just wondering @Leo Gura how can you be so sure about it?

@charlie2dogs after two months I still cannot make it. I try to do what you suggested but I think that I am failing. I am setting my eyes on the life force within. When I am alone it is easy to do, but when I interact with others, I cannot. I feel like I live completely mechanically. I don't control myself. What else should I do?

I am practicing mindfullness for a few months now. When I am alone it feels quite easy for me to stay fully present, but when I have to interact with other people it seems very very difficult. I am always thinking of Osho who said that one must not act mechanically and the truth is that when I interact with others I function fully mechanically. Any advice on that? Thank you in advance!

Thank you all for your replies. You really help a lot. Of course I hope that Leo will write his opinion on this. The reason for asking this is because when I interact with people that I am not familiar with I feel too much pressure. Too stressed. And if these people are more than one the pressure grows bigger and bigger. I believe that finding a way to remain mindful will help me overcome this pressure.

@charlie2dogs I really dont know what to say. I am almost 30 years old, and I cannot remember the last time I cried. As I read your post I burst into tears. I have suffered for so long. Your words give me strength. You speak direct to my heart. I am so thankful..

@charlie2dogs I am trying to follow your instructions! I am wondering how long would it take to see the results..

First of all I have to thank you all for your replies. I have to note that I am talking about stress that comes on certain moments. This is why I gave an example of a presentation. I feel that stress drains me so much that I cannot stand it anymore..

@charlie2dogs Your willingness to help moves me deeply. I really have to thank you for that! I will try what you suggested and come back to tell you how I feel. Thank you again.

@charlie2dogs: Thank you for your response. I really believe that the solution is within myself, but I do not know how to look for it.. Meditation and yoga help a lot but I still believe that I am missing something more.