Posted by AuntieMel on August 24, 2004, at 17:08:10
In reply to Social Anxiety Issue, posted by Pandabear on August 22, 2004, at 13:48:33
Lots of phobias are dealt with using immersion. Doing what you are afraid of so often that you become desensitized.
The idea is to start slow. If shopping scares you, then start with just driving through the parking lot. Continue that until you don't think twice. Then park and watch the store entrance for a while and continue this exercise until comfortable. Then go into the store and buy one thing, then a hand basket, then a full cart, then a smile at the cashier, etc. Just keep doing each step until you get to a comfort level (not just tolerance).
Then go to the next thing that scares you socially, and so on, not forgetting to keep going to the store on a regular basis to not backslide there.
It's supposed to be the preferred way of dealing with this.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:380867
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040821/msgs/381820.html