This article was updated and revamped May 30, 2022.It was originally created September 28, 2017. What are some of the best free anxiety chat rooms? We’ll show you the ones to visit and the ones to avoid! What’s Inside 1. A list of anxiety chat rooms and alternatives2. A few things to think about before diving in3. Reviews and…
What’s the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist? Which professional should I use?
Here are the best websites to find help for anxiety.
How to overcome anxiety using gradual exposure.
If you’re looking for online anxiety help, these are some of the best options.
These are reputable anxiety treatment centers in the US. They’re run by internationally renowned doctors and researchers in the field of anxiety. Many of these doctors “wrote the book” on evidence-based treatments for anxiety. If you don’t find a treatment center near you, look for a reputable university near you and see if they have an…
Anxiety DefinitionWhat does anxiety mean? The easiest way to think about it: Emotion happens in the body. Anxiety is a bodily reaction in response to a perceived threat that causes bodily symptoms such as sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle tension, dry mouth, tight chest, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, trembling, “deer in the headlights” stare or paralysis, weakness, dizziness,…
What is the best public speaking and social anxiety medication? For public speaking, a combination of a benzo and beta blocker (e.g. Alprazolam and Propanolol).
How much anxiety is normal? And what is anxiety vs. an anxiety disorder? Let’s use public speaking anxiety as an example.
How to overcome public speaking anxiety? It boils down to 2 things: Learn anxiety management techniques and practice those techniques.
Our self-talk is under our control and it’s one of the key factors that increase our anxiety. Our thoughts increase or decrease our anxiety in predictable ways.
Why do some people fear one-on-one conversations but are perfectly comfortable speaking to large audiences? And why is it the complete opposite for other people?
Need help?Know someone who does?Contact the Disaster Distress HelplineCall 1-800-985-5990Contact the National Domestic Violence HotlineCall 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224 Millions of people around the world are trying to cope with the stress and anxiety of the Coronavirus crisis. Will I and my family get the virus? How will we pay the bills and for how long…
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of suicide deaths in the U.S. is climbing.1US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)We need to reverse this trend. Each of us can make a difference. We can reach out for help ourselves or help others reach out for…
Not all people with depression and anxiety will think about suicide but some people with anxiety or depression will1. Why might you? Many things might contribute to you having suicidal thoughts. For example, stressful life events like the ending of a relationship2, being unemployed3, exposure to other people’s suicidal thoughts and behaviors4, having an abuse…
Here are 6 ways to practice public speaking at home:1. SpeakMeisterSpeakMeister is an online educational program that teaches you how to overcome public speaking anxiety. Join a SpeakMeister public speaking practice club to learn anxiety management techniques. Practice several times a month with others who share your fear. Meet using Zoom (video meeting). https://speakmeister.com/edu/public-speaking-practice/. 2. ToastmastersJoin…
→ Previous: Causes→ Next: SymptomsThere are 9 factors that maintain and exacerbate your social anxiety despite repeated exposure to social situations. The key factors that maintain and exacerbate your social anxiety are:Negative core beliefs about yourself and others. Negative automatic thoughts.Paying attention to the negative and ignoring positive/neutral feedback (attentional bias).Self-focused attention.Negative self-image.Avoidance.Safety behaviors.Anticipatory anxiety.Negative post-event…
→ Previous: Social anxiety treatment options→ This is the last article in the seriesHere’s how I think about medications vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).Maybe in time humans will come up with the perfect treatment for social anxiety i.e. one that works for all individuals all of the time. But at this point, that does not exist….
→ Previous: How can I desensitize?→ Next: Medications vs. CBTAnxiety management techniques vs. a treatment programIf you have social anxiety, you’ve probably heard people say “do deep breathing” or do progressive muscle relaxation. These are helpful anxiety management techniques, but they are not a comprehensive treatment program. To overcome social anxiety, you need more than…
→ Previous: How can I reduce my fear?→ Next: Treatment optionsWhen you have social anxiety, the primitive fear center in your brain (the amygdala) is setting off false alarms. The amygdala thinks a situation is dangerous when it is not dangerous. To change this, you need to desensitize your amygdala. You can do this through…
→ Previous: Severe vs. normal symptoms→ Next: How can I desensitize?Overcoming social anxiety boils down to three things. 1. You gotta really want it! You have two voices. One voice focuses on the fear. The other voice focuses on wanting more freedom and a higher quality of life. The second voice says “I want this now.”…
→ Previous: Why is my body doing this?→ Next: How can I reduce my fear?Think of social anxiety on a continuum of 0 to 100. Where 0 = no anxiety and 100 = worst anxiety you can imagine. Here are a few important points: check No one is at a zero in every social situation. (Even…
→ Previous: Symptoms list→ Next: Severe vs. normal symptoms​Question”Why is it when I’m in a new situation my body reacts by getting shaky and I feel on edge and physically sick, yet in my brain I know it’s not a big deal? Like the other day I was going to an acquaintance’s business to talk…
→ Previous: 9 factors→ Next: Why is my body doing this?Every individual is unique and may have different symptoms (or combinations of symptoms). Here are some typical social anxiety symptoms: check Feeling awkward check Self-focused awareness (focusing on how you’re performing vs. other person) check Mind going blank and difficulty concentrating check Freezing (“deer in…
→ Previous: Overview→ Next: 9 FactorsSocial anxiety is typically caused by a combination of predisposing factors + a life stressor. Some of the pre-disposing factors could be: check Heredity (anxiety in your family) or other biological/medical causes check You were bullied check Your parents or authority figures communicate an overly cautious view of the world check…
This is a multi-part series explaining how to overcome social anxiety.→ This is the first article in the series→ Next: What causes social anxiety?At the core of your social anxiety is a fear that you will be judged negatively by others. The more you fear negative judgment, the more intense your symptoms and the more…
Here’s my storyA year ago I developed arthritis in my thumbs. I was devastated to lose my ability to open doors and the myriad of activities that require thumbs. I’m pretty young and healthy…so why is this happening to me? My doctor recommended taking joint supplements, icing, and getting thumb braces. After several months of…
There’s a common myth floating around that everyone wants public recognition. Throughout my work in a variety of organizations, that myth seems widespread among managers (fortune 50’s, internet startups, non-profits, etc.). It’s true that everyone wants credit and recognition for their hard work. However, some personality types may prefer private recognition. Other personality types may prefer…
As a manager and executive in high-pressure jobs, I’ve had to learn to cultivate calm and well-being. And by “cultivate” I mean planting a seed and nurturing it over time. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes daily cultivation and nurturing. A few years ago I decided to learn mindfulness techniques for anxiety and well-being. I bought…
Your child has a test coming up and they feel sick. They may have a stomach ache, a headache, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing or other symptoms. And they don’t know why they’re feeling this way. This may be a clue that they have test anxiety. The good news is that there are test anxiety…
Freedom in college feels good right? Well, not when you have finals coming up! Here are some test anxiety strategies for college students that will help you manage the pressure and do well on your exams.Tip #1: Get organizedOne of the most important test anxiety strategies for college students is to get organized and create…
Are you feeling anxious about an upcoming test? Are you looking for tips for test anxiety? Here are five tips that can boost your grades.Tip #1: Figure out your learning styleHow do you absorb information? Some people learn best by reading instructions. For others it might be listening to an explanation, watching someone show you,…
To boost your confidence, try the Kick app. After downloading the app, you’ll see a “Kick of the Day.” A kick is a simple exercise. Every day you’ll get a new exercise. If you do the confidence exercises every day, you should see a boost in your confidence. Personally, I really like this app. I gave…
Separation anxiety in dogs can be exasperating! You just don’t know what to do. Is it hard for your dog to be alone? Does it bark, whine and get agitated? Maybe it even engages in destructive behavior in the house or crate. Here are 7 techniques you can use to manage separation anxiety in dogs. These techniques…
Dr. Susan Corapi, a specialist in children’s literature, recently asked me to comment on several books for children with anxiety and depression. She wanted to know how accurate these books were from a psychological point of view. I asked Dr. Corapi about the goal of books for children with anxiety and depression. She explained that the goal is not to give help…
This panic attack symptoms checklist was developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). See the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) for more information.Panic Attack Symptoms: A sense of imminent danger or impending doomAn urge to escape and urgent desire to flee PalpitationsSweatingTrembling or shakingSensations of shortness of breath or smotheringFeeling of chokingChest pain…
The Wall Street Journal published a great article about Georgiann, a teenager who overcame her social anxiety at the Mayo Clinic using exposure therapy. Exposure therapy, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has been shown to effectively treat teen social anxiety. Here are a few excerpts from the Wall Street Journal article. Georgiann’s Success Story Teen Social Anxiety The…
If you have public speaking anxiety or other phobias you’ll be interested how Scott Stossel survived. He is the Editor of The Atlantic Magazine and you really have to wonder how he managed to be in a high-pressure job! Scott has dealt with crippling fears of failure, public speaking, flying, heights, and more since childhood. He shares his experiences…
The most accurate anxiety disorder statisticsThe World Health Organization (WHO), Harvard University, University of Michigan, and country-based researchers worldwide are in the process of collecting anxiety disorder statistics for the The World Mental Health Survey Initiative (WMH). The surveys cover 27 countries in all regions of the world and collect statistics about the prevalence of mental, substance, and behavioral disorders. The core…
This article was updated December 17, 2022. The Virtual Speech app developer confirmed that the app is still free. There are 7 VR rooms that are free to use including 2 meeting rooms, 2 conference rooms, 2 interview rooms, 1 classroom. You can buy premium rooms such as a wedding venue and a TED talk…
Success TipYou can never eradicate all fear from your life. But you can learn to manage it.
Create your own list of positive affirmations by selecting from the affirmations below. Pick around 30 of your favorite affirmations and read them out loud once a day for twelve weeks. Let us know how this exercise changed your perspective and behavior. Tell us in the Comments below.Why create a list of positive affirmations?Your mind is like a mirror – it…
What is self hypnosis for stress and anxiety relief?Self hypnosis for stress and anxiety relief is where you drift into a relaxed state-of-mind, and where you make your mind highly responsive to your imagination, thereby changing your behavior. (Check out the audio example below.) Hypnosis is based on the fact that you’re most receptive to new ideas and…
Dr. Susan Corapi, a specialist in children’s literature, recently asked me to comment on several books for children with anxiety and depression. She wanted a Psychologist’s perspective, and wanted to know how accurate these books were from a psychological point of view. I asked Dr. Corapi about the goal of books for children with anxiety and depression. She explained…
Are you looking for an anxiety service dog? And a reputable trainer? This article will show you how to find he right trainer and the right dog for you.​Anxiety service dog quality standardsThe best place to start is with Assistance Dogs International (ADI). ADI evaluates trainers worldwide, and makes sure that trainers meet high quality standards in these…
Many people with panic disorder and agoraphobia experience a great deal of relief and comfort just from knowing what’s happening.
What are the best books for anxiety? There are many good books which can help you manage stress and anxiety and overcome phobias. More are being written all the time because anxiety is recognized as one of the most widespread, most crippling and most treatable of all health issues. Today many of our brightest researchers and clinicians…
How do you manage anxiety attacks? These steps were developed by Dr. Manuel Zane in his Six Points of Contextual Therapy For Phobia. These steps are most effective when you work with a professional who can explain these in greater detail and guide you through the steps (professionals such as Anxiety Clinics or Anxiety Coach). The Six Points have…
Quotes to help with anxiety I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experiences behind him. Eleanor Roosevelt First Lady of the United States This quote sums up years of psychological research on how to conquer…
Quotes to help with anxietyIf you want something you’ve never had, then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done. You know that old saying “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.” It’s true. If you want things to change in your life, you have to change what you do. ​The…
What is exposure therapy? It’s based on the Law of Habituation that says: The more you do something, the less you fear it.What is exposure therapy? Careful and gradual exposureCareful and gradual exposure to a fearful situation works like a vaccination. A vaccine exposes your immune system to a virus in a small dose so your body…
Here are ten tips on overcoming depression. Let us know which ones work best for you, or if you have others to add. 1. Stay in the present and do manageable tasks. (Focusing on the past keeps you in a state of guilt. Focusing on the future keeps you in a state of worry.) 2. Identify things…
Success in life comes from stepping out of your comfort zone in key moments. Anxiety programs can help you do this successfully. ​When you work with a sensitive, cognitive-behavioral anxiety specialist, they can tailor a program to your needs that will help you take successful baby steps. It’s important that the baby steps are planned and measured…and not…
There are two types of panic attacks: (1) unexpected panic attacks, and (2) expected panic attacks. These are the differences between the two types of panic attacks:Type 1: Unexpected panic attacksThe first type of panic attack is called an unexpected panic attack. This can happen at any time and any place. It seems to come “out of…
It is our gift to others to heal ourselves. – Max Strom
Do you have generalized anxiety disorder? Take the generalized anxiety disorder test to find out.
Do you have generalized anxiety disorder? Take the generalized anxiety disorder test to find out.
Do you have agoraphobia? Find out with this agoraphobia test.
Take this public speaking anxiety test to see if you have a public speaking phobia.
Not only does your phobia interfere with your life but it affects everyone around you.
Coping with panic attacks tip: Fear doesn’t last long. Wait and give fear time to pass.
What should you tell your friends and family about your anxiety? Here is a draft letter to get you started.
See anxiety symptoms explained in this course and books. RedditQuestion Do you have a really good readings on anxiety symptoms? I live in EU so it should be something available worldwide. When you say do you have a good readings on anxiety symptoms? Do you mean do I have any good books to recommend on…
Nice thing about a webinar, you can conduct a poll and get audience interaction and feedback.
One of the best places to hear great presentations is TED.com. You may want to check out Garr Reynolds.
Speakers at TED.com are setting new standards and pushing new boundaries for speaking engagement and visuals.
I can do standup but hate it when people sing happy birthday to me.
60-70% of the US population has low public speaking fear and 30-40% has medium-to-high fear.
The truth is, most situations aren’t as competitive or hostile as you might think.
In addition to books, there are training options like Coursera, EdX, Lynda.com and SpeakMeister.com.
Propranolol and beta-blockers can be very helpful for public speaking anxiety.
To show that you heard and understood what someone just said, repeat (like a parrot) exactly what the other person said.
Prove to your brain every day that little mistakes and imperfections don’t matter.
We’re always deeply touched and rooting for the person who has had to overcome difficult obstacles to achieve their goals.
Learn the fear management techniques and to apply the techniques in a safe environment.
Do these subtle relaxation exercises as you’re waiting your turn to speak.
Using the Myers-Briggs definition, there is no correlation between introversion and public speaking anxiety.
Great job! You developed a passion that took your focus off the fear and you desensitized your fear with repetition.
The best way to handle those kinds of situations is with a sense of humor.
One is maintaining a sense of humor and not taking things too seriously!
When I think of types of performance anxieties, I see them on a spectrum (1) formal situation <----> informal situation, and (2) small group <-----> large group. The key is where they feel the most potential for negative judgement.
I have seen huge improvements with people when they practice public speaking, they become much more confident in a whole variety of social situations.
Here are some of the most common “thought patterns” that cause anxiety and nervousness. I’ve also included some possible counter-thoughts you can use.
The law of habituation says the more you do something, the less you fear it. That works as long as you’re not scaring yourself with fearful thoughts.
(1) Stressors, (2) pre-disposing factors, (3) fearful thoughts and (4) your nervous system gets conditioned to trigger a fear response in a specific situation.
The fear of public speaking is a type of social anxiety.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for a period of at least six months
Take a social anxiety test. Find out whether you have social anxiety and the severity level.
A persistent failure to speak in specific social situations where speaking is expected, despite speaking in other situations.
Separation anxiety is excessive anxiety concerning separation from the home or from those to whom the person is attached.
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort that’s accompanied by at least four of the following symptoms.
Social anxiety is a condition where you become very anxious when under scrutiny by others while performing a social task.
Mistaken beliefs that cause or maintain anxiety.
Anxiety quotes: Wisdom throughout the ages.
You’re always entitled to these basic human rights. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
Agoraphobia is an extreme fear of being in public places or open spaces from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing. The fearful situations are avoided or endured with dread and distress.It’s characterized by anxiety in 2 or more of the following 5 situations: Public transportation Being in open spaces Being in enclosed spaces Standing…
There’s no doubt, anxiety can mess up your career. So where can you find jobs for people with anxiety? If you have social anxiety, it can be stressful to interview for jobs, have one-on-one conversations, participate in meetings, have your performance evaluated, talk to authority figures (your boss, executives, etc.), sell your ideas to others, manage…
An app that helps you improve your mood.
David Barlow and Michelle Craske are renowned experts in Agoraphobia and Panic.
Why group therapy is so important for overcoming public speaking fear or social anxiety.
