that’s what I did.

In my clinical experience you are looking at 6 to 8 weeks of treatment for the anxiety to come under management, although, it can take longer in some cases. You may need to continue monthly treatments to manage the anxiety. However, everyone responds individually to medical treatments so there is no way to know if this will hold true for you.

I used to see a psychologist but then moved to a new location, and with school and work, I don’t have time/money to visit someone regularly — especially at Manhattan prices.

Are there any home-remedies I could try? I really can’t afford to see a psychologist at the moment and my insurance doesn’t cover it.

The more you expose yourself to social situations the more relaxed you will become in that kind of environment. Start off with small gatherings of 4-5 people and then move up to a few dozen and the eventually a large event with hundreds or even thousands of people.

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While for the vitamins, going to a good doctor would be helpful as they can do a blood test and determine if you have any vitamin deficiencies or any other underlying causes of how you’re feeling (such as an underactive thyroid, hormonal imbalance or a lack of certain amino acids) you might want to start by taking some good multi-vitamins.

If you’re not exercising regularly, beginning a regular program of exercise is another way you can combat anxiety. Evidence suggests that exercise postively affects the levels of certain mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain. Exercise may also boost feel-good endorphins, release tension in muscles, help you sleep better and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It also increases body temperature, which may have calming effects. All of these changes in your mind and body can improve such symptoms as sadness, anxiety, irritability, stress, fatigue, anger, self-doubt and hopelessness.

And finally, here are some herbal supplements that may help you (herbs are available at the corner drug store and at health food stores):

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family that has been cultivated by Pacific Islanders for over 3000 years for use as a social and ceremonial drink. The first description of kava came to the west with Captain James Cook, who traveled through the South Seas in a number of celebrated voyages. To this day, when village elders or others in the Pacific Islands come together for a significant meeting, they begin with an elaborate kava ceremony. Currently, kava is used in Europe and increasingly in the United States to treat stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

Valerian: Nature’s valium. Another favorite for the treatment of anxiety is valerian. Derived from the dried rhizomes and roots of this tall plant, which grows in wet soil in many countries, valerian has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy. As a natural relaxant, it is useful for several disorders including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, menstural problems, and "nervous" stomach. Valerian acts on the brain’s GABA receptors to produce a tranquilizing action that is similar to Valium-type drugs, but without the same side effects.

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Sebastiaan here

I’ve suffered from social anxiety disorder for over 5 years and am now completely healed. I have no social anxiety anymore. This is possible for you as well. And for anyone reading this for that matter…

I’ve experienced almost all of the possible options for therapy and would like you to give you the best two out there.

One of the ways -which your doctor probably advised you- is CBT.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on the premise that thoughts cause feelings. And that your feelings affect your behavior. The therapy uncovers negative thinking, irrational beliefs and unwanted behaviors that cause your negative emotions.

These negative thoughts, beliefs and behaviors first get identified. Once that’s achieved the approach is to replace these with more rational, positive ones.

This in turn changes the way you think about social situations that give you anxiety. And as a result you’ll feel better, can think more clearly, and make better decisions.

Aside from that, CBT teaches you how to control the physical symptoms of your anxiety through various relaxation and breathing exercises.

And CBT also focuses on exposure therapy.

This is where you will systematically desensitize yourself to social situations you fear.
Together with your therapist you think of a social situation that you might fear.

For example saying hi to a colleague. Before facing the situation in real life you work with your therapist to minimize the amount of anxiety you experience when thinking about the fearful situation.

Then once you feel confident enough to face it in real life, you take the step and "expose" yourself to the situation.

Once you feel comfortable doing that, you go on to the next step. You slowly but surely expose yourself to more and more social situations. But you get less anxious and more and more confident the more situations you are able to face.

An additional form of social anxiety treatment in CBT is group therapy for social anxiety.

Here you practice role-playing and other methods to improve your social skills. This lessens your anxiety as you feel more competent and confident in your social abilities.

CBT is the most recognized form of therapy and will get you results. However, the downside is that it is expensive and that it is hard and challenging work. Plus you are not guaranteed to completely recover…

A program that you doctor might have referred you to (I’m not related to this program) is this one:

http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/international.html

…

The second form of therapy -which I have experienced and am certified in- is called EFT. This stands for Emotional Freedom Technique.

It’s a psychological form of accupuncture yet instead of using needles you use the finger tips to stimulate specific meredian points on the body. It’s a weird looking technique, yet in the hands of a skilled professional extremely effective. We’re talking above 95% success rates here!

I was extremely skeptical in the beginning myself as well, but I have applied it to myself successfully, have undergone training and have healed over a hundred people of several different emotional issues. Including social phobia’s…

I have struggled for years and have worked very hard and intensively trying to solve my social anxiety using all sorts of psychology approaches, herbs, affirmations, hypnosis, NLP etc.

And I made progress with them for sure. But after years of trying very hard I only solved maybe 40% of my social anxiety. EFT helped me within months to clear the remaining 60%.

Trust me, this stuff really works.

The premise of EFT is that "the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system."

And when you tap on specific meridian points on your body while being focused in on your "problem", the disruption in your energy system gets balanced out and due to that the negative emotions disappears.

I know, you now probably think I lost it…

…Or that I’m some weird airy-fairy woo-woo guy that believes in ghosts and fairy tales.

But seriously, this weird technique is an amazing form of social anxiety treatment. In fact, I believe it to be the most effective form of social anxiety treatment out there.

It’s fast, painfree and extremely effective. You experience relief and will feel better after only one session (though completely overcoming your SAD takes several more sessions).

I have a video on youtube where I explain how it works and where I guide you through the process.
You might want to have a look and try it for yourself. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jnlu1DaHLo# )

I offer a coaching package called "Social Anxiety to Social Confidence Guaranteed" on my site. Here I coach you 1 on 1 via skype (getting coached from the comfort of your own home and the ease of sitting behind your PC) to social confidence within 3 months. Guaranteed.

For the exact details, go here:

http://www.social-anxiety-solutions.com/cure-social-anxiety.html

Research shows that when you "act as if" continually, your image of yourself begins to conform to your new behavior. In this case, you will gain self-esteem and self-confidence, and begin to see yourself as socially normal, not shy. You will become more socially successful, and this will motivate you to continue your new social behavior until it becomes a habit.

Try this for a month, in every situation you can. I am confident that you will become much more comfortable and outgoing. One form of therapy is to go somewhere that nobody knows you, and deliberately make an utter fool of yourself: put on a paper hat, and scream out: "I’m queen/king of America!", or something else ridiculous, then get back in the taxi, (warn the driver of your intentions, first) or car, and leave.

People will point, and say: "Look at that idiot". But, you’re probably not up to the stage where you can do that, yet (I can, and I used to be shy). It will teach you that, although it isn’t actually pleasant, you will survive; be stronger for the experience, and the next time (should you need to repeat this type of therapy) will be considerably easier. Remember: "A fear avoided is a fear strengthened; a fear faced is a fear reduced." Regard it as your final test: once you have accomplished it, the barrier will be broken; just don’t go too far, the other way! Learn to laugh at yourself, and give a big, cheesy grin when others see you do something foolish, as we all do, occasionally. It is endearing, if you don’t do it too often. Use positive affirmations: for example: "I am very likable and other people feel comfortable around me".

Write down all of your self limiting beliefs; then write down the positive counter of them, (exact opposite) and repeat them and imprint them into your mind.
Most importantly: Force yourself to approach somebody and initiate some sort of communication. Start out small by asking the time and directions and gradually go bigger.

Although there are anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) available, these come with risks, and the possibility of side effects, habituation, even addiction, and withdrawal problems, and are unsuitable for young people.

Try having a cup of "Tension Tamer", herbal tea, by Celestial Seasonings, (from supermarket tea, or health food aisles) or make some at home, and cool, then bottle, and drink as needed (I find it so strong tasting, that I need to drink it quickly, followed by something like fruit juice, to take away the taste, but others may find it more tolerable). C(h)amomile tea is a more palatable option. As with all herbal/green teas, use lemon/lime, and/or a little sweetener (NOT ARTIFICIAL!!!) but no cream, or milk.

Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey, because these will reduce "sugar spikes". Valerian has also been recommended, but some people experience "valerian hangovers". Ensure you know how you react to it, before doing something potentially dangerous, like going out on the roads. The idea is to use the above like water wings, to provide initial, short term support, while you become proficient in the above techniques.