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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    First option for social anxiety and stress?

    Related Topics
    Anxiety Mental Health Stress Management
    What would be your first option for dealing with stress and mild social anxiety. I'm not fussed on med but scared of talking to ppl i dont know.
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  • 2

    Thanks

    Matthew Bishop

    Counsellor

    . View Profile

    Rather than a ‘first option’ I would suggest a ‘first step’.  The first step is to gain an *understanding* of how this stress and anxiety is happening.  I say that because people often assume it's something that just ‘happens’ to them and so they look to some solution outside of their self, such as medication.  But if you really want to turn things around then you need to understand how your stress and anxiety is something that you are ‘doing’, a pattern you are in and are enacting, within a context.  Get to know the how, why, where and so on, and you will be well on the way to changing things.  You could do this by seeing a counsellor, or approaching an anxiety support group in your area, etc.  Good luck.  

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  • 1

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    Dr Alexandra Bloch-Atefi

    Counsellor, Psychotherapist

    I am a qualified holistic counsellor & trained psychotherapist practicing in Melbourne, Australia. I specialise in stress management for women, offering one-on-one counselling sessions and … View Profile

    As Matthew mentioned a way of regulating and containing anxiety and stress is getting to know how it plays out for you. Noticing how and where you experience it in your body (E.g.: Is it in your stomach, chest, is your heart beating faster?)

    Then rate your anxiety level from 0-10 (10 representing maximum intensity and 0 representing no intensity whatsoever).

    An effective way to reduce your anxiety levels is to employ a self-empowering tool like EFT or Meridian tapping that uses the meridian system to unblock unresolved emotions or experiences that have been stored in the body. Fore more information have a look at http://connectingmindbodybreath.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/how-meridian-tapping-reduces-stress/

    Hope that helps,

    Alexandra
    www.cmbb.com.au
    Melbourne Counselling, Prahran Counsellor: Alexandra Bloch-Atefi, PhD, VIC
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  • 1

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    David Lawson

    Counsellor

    We all have times when we need to talk with a person who really listens to us, someone outside our family or social circle - … View Profile

    By recognising you have concerns in this area is a big step. Well done! further to what my learned colleagues have written - contacting a counsellor by email and then talk to them by phone then once you feel comfortable with them meet them face to face.

    One of my clients took 9 phone calls between 15 to 25 minutes before she had built up enough confidence to see me.

    By the time she had come to meet me in person she had made some huge steps. One step a time is what it takes. Take care. 

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    Dr Louise Shepherd

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    I am a clinical psychologist with 15 years experience working with all sorts of goals and issues. I love working with people, helping them to … View Profile

    One way to deal with stress and social anxiety is by learning effective strategies to better handle difficult thoughts and feelings - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one approach that I believe can be very helpful in dealing with anxiety. You can learn to not be so pushed around by your mind and to take actions that fit with the kind of person you want to be.

    A couple of books to check out:

    - The confidence gap or
    - The happiness trap

    Both are by Russ Harris - and you can check out the first chapter for free on his website actmindfully.com.au

    or else get along to see a psychologist who uses that approach. If you are in Sydney we would love to have a chat and see if we can offer something helpful to you.

    Good luck!
    Louise

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