My Bouts with Social Anxiety - I Heart October (S01 E29)
Today, I continued along with the Sessions. Session #1 was an introduction to Dr. Thomas A. Richards along with what Social Anxiety is and what can be done.
Session #2 gives examples of Social Anxiety experiences. In this session, three main lessons are taught:
• How to calm yourself in social situation and remain in control (Slow Talk)
• How to STOP Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), Part 1
• Using Rational Coping Statements to reduce Irrational Anxious Feelings
It's a bit refreshing to go back and listen to the audio. This is actually my 3rd time reviewing this part of the OSA Sessions. It really tells me how far I've come along in this CBT process. Reviewing (or restarting) older lessons can never hurt. It's a refresher course to help you get back into the swing of things.
One thing that this session reminds me to do is to keep practicing my Slow Talk. This is something I easily will do but neglect over time. It never hurts and it helps with calming your speech and thoughts down. It doesn't even mean you need to slow down your speech to a turtle's pace. All it implies is that you slow your speech down slightly to where "YOU" recognize it. Most people would not recognize your slow talk other than yourself.
I think I've done a good job at stopping ANTs and that everything I've learned thus far has been retained. I don't have any waves of ANTs that attack me anymore, but whenever I have to deal with a situation that leaves me insecure or self-conscious... I am able to realize, recognize, and acknowledge my ANTs. I'm also able to rationalize my thoughts more easily now.
I have coping statements that I've used in the past and I also developed my own coping statement that has helped me in the early beginnings. Here is my coping statement: Okay, okay. I hear you, I see you, I feel you. I know you're about Negativity right now. I'm all about Positivity. Pause.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
OSA Session #1
My Bouts with Social Anxiety - I Heart October (S01 E29)
I've mentioned in writings and in my video's of this "Overcoming Social Anxiety: Step by Step" cognitive behavioral therapy. For the longest time, a good full month (maybe two), my CBT participation has dropped. I still retain what I've learned, but I haven't progressed onto newer lessons in over TWO MONTHS. My last participation in any OSA Session was back in August, 17th, 2010. I'm really embarrassed about that, but I'm not kicking myself around. I really need to do something rather than nothing.
That is why I'm joining fellow SA YouTubers (such as janeyfromkorea and tiffanyrp) that are starting from the beginning. Rather than doing NOTHING, I am restarting or reviewing and relearning lesson's I've already learned, lost, or need to redo.
Audio Session #1
I played the first session on my iPhone and listened to it all the way through. If you aren't familiar with Dr. Thomas A. Richards, you basically learn about him and the history he has with Social Anxiety. Actually having Social Anxiety Disorder and overcoming it, he is extremely knowledgeable and makes his explanations as easy as possible. Maybe not the most entertaining explanations, but they are easily understood.
You learn what Social Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety in general is. You learn what the symptoms of social anxiety are. You learn about Comprehensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) as a way of overcoming Social Anxiety. Following the Audio Sessions, reviewing your notes, and doing the exercises are CBT.
If you are serious about managing your Social Anxiety, you need to approach it with an open mind. If you go into any situation with "negative" thoughts, then you only reinforce a "negative" outcome. As mentioned on Dr. Ricahrds Site, handouts, and audio session... The series is focused on practical, real-life solutions that will reduce and extinguish the awful effects of social anxiety in your life.
I've mentioned in writings and in my video's of this "Overcoming Social Anxiety: Step by Step" cognitive behavioral therapy. For the longest time, a good full month (maybe two), my CBT participation has dropped. I still retain what I've learned, but I haven't progressed onto newer lessons in over TWO MONTHS. My last participation in any OSA Session was back in August, 17th, 2010. I'm really embarrassed about that, but I'm not kicking myself around. I really need to do something rather than nothing.
That is why I'm joining fellow SA YouTubers (such as janeyfromkorea and tiffanyrp) that are starting from the beginning. Rather than doing NOTHING, I am restarting or reviewing and relearning lesson's I've already learned, lost, or need to redo.
Audio Session #1
I played the first session on my iPhone and listened to it all the way through. If you aren't familiar with Dr. Thomas A. Richards, you basically learn about him and the history he has with Social Anxiety. Actually having Social Anxiety Disorder and overcoming it, he is extremely knowledgeable and makes his explanations as easy as possible. Maybe not the most entertaining explanations, but they are easily understood.
You learn what Social Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety in general is. You learn what the symptoms of social anxiety are. You learn about Comprehensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) as a way of overcoming Social Anxiety. Following the Audio Sessions, reviewing your notes, and doing the exercises are CBT.
If you are serious about managing your Social Anxiety, you need to approach it with an open mind. If you go into any situation with "negative" thoughts, then you only reinforce a "negative" outcome. As mentioned on Dr. Ricahrds Site, handouts, and audio session... The series is focused on practical, real-life solutions that will reduce and extinguish the awful effects of social anxiety in your life.
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