Hello doctor. I have been having a lot of fear and nervousness around people for about the last month. When people come near me or talk to me, I become very anxious and sometimes feel weak, my mind goes blank, and I find it difficult to speak normally.
I also keep worrying that people are insulting or judging me, and when someone says something hurtful, I keep thinking about it for a long time. Because of this, my confidence and ability to talk to people have reduced significantly.
I would like to know whether this could be anxiety/social anxiety or something else. Please assess me and advise me about treatment. I would prefer medication only if you think it is necessary.
I have taken psychiatric medicines in the past, and I am currently/previously taking [write the exact names and doses of all medicines and supplements here]. Please also tell me if any of them should be stopped or changed.
A detailed clinical assessment is advised to understand the issue.
For a personalised treatment plan, DM on insta: dr.abhinavtewari
Dr. Abhinav Tewari
MBBS(AIIMS, New Delhi), MD (AIIMS, New Delhi), DNB
Ex-KGMU Lucknow
Formerly at NHS England
Ex-Faculty RMLIMS, Lko, and KSSSCI
Whatsapp on Nine Four One Five Three Nine Four Three Seven Nine
insta: dr.abhinavtewari
1. Breathe Slowly
If you are feeling anxious, you are more likely to breathe faster and shallower. Sometimes, the easiest and most important thing we can do to soothe ourselves is to focus on our breathing.
Inhale slowly. Count to three as you do it. Focus on each breath. Exhale slowly. Count to three as you do it.
2. Stay In the Present
Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique
Focus on five things around you that you can see. A pen, a bottle of water, a spot on the wall - anything.
Focus on four things around you that you can touch. Your watch, the coffee mug, the chair you are sitting on - anything.
Focus on three things you can hear. Someone speaking on their phone, the TV in the background - any external sound.
Focus on two things you can smell - Maybe itâs a charcoal pencil, a hand cream, or leftover coffee in your mug.
Focus on one thing you can taste - What does the inside of your mouth taste like? Gum, coffee?
3. Muscle Relaxation
When you are anxious, you may feel your body tense up.
Find a quiet place. Slowly tense a muscle group. Letâs say you start with your shoulders.
Breathe in while you tense your shoulders. Hold the tension for a few seconds.
Slowly release the tension and breathe out as you do it.
Do this a couple of times before moving on to the next muscle group. What this practice essentially does is it builds awareness of tension in the body and also recognises when the body is completely relaxed.
4. Get Moving
Move your body. There is simply no way around it. When you do activities that get your heart rate up, like running, cycling, getting some exercise, or even dancing, it can literally change your brain chemistry..
5. Small Acts of Bravery
If thereâs something that makes you anxious, try tackling it in baby steps. For example, if public speaking freaks you out, start by giving a short presentation to a few friends. This can help you build confidence and manage your anxiety when it comes to bigger challenges.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
Practicing self-compassion can really help ease your anxiety. Remember, we all deserve to be cared for, and that includes taking care of ourselves.
Much love!
From what you have described, social anxiety would certainly be one possibility, because the fear of being judged, mind going blank, difficulty speaking, physical weakness and repeatedly thinking about hurtful comments can all occur when anxiety becomes focused on social situations. However, since this has been present for only about a month, I would not label it as a diagnosis without assessing you properly. We would also look at recent stressors, mood, sleep, confidence, avoidance and your previous psychiatric history.
You also don’t necessarily need to start medication immediately. CBT with gradual exposure, working on fear of judgment, self-focused attention and post-event overthinking can be very effective, and medication can be considered with a psychiatrist if the symptoms are severe or significantly affecting your functioning.
Counselling advice: Rather than trying to force yourself to “be confident,” start with small, planned social interactions and learn to tolerate the anxiety without escaping or analysing every interaction afterwards. A proper psychological assessment will help clarify whether this is social anxiety or something else. Also, please share the exact names and doses of your previous/current medicines before making any changes or medication should not be stopped or changed without your prescribing doctor.
For counselling/therapy guidance, you can contact me at nine two six six seven two six zero six five.
"Hi there, I understand that seeking help can feel overwhelming, but you’ve already taken the first brave step. I can guide you with a clear treatment plan tailored just for you, so you can feel better and regain control over your life. You can reach me directly on WhatsApp for quick support on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two."
Your symptoms do sound suggestive of significant anxiety, particularly social anxiety, because the anxiety is mainly triggered when you are around or interacting with people, along with fear of being judged, mind going blank, difficulty speaking, and reduced confidence.
However, since these symptoms have been present for only about a month, a proper assessment is needed to understand whether this is social anxiety disorder, another anxiety condition, or a reaction to some recent stressor. It is also important to assess sleep, mood, substance/caffeine use, avoidance behaviour, and your previous psychiatric treatment.
Treatment does not necessarily mean medication. If symptoms are mild to moderate, psychological therapy—especially CBT with gradual exposure to social situations—can be very effective. Medication may be considered if symptoms are persistent, severe, or significantly affecting your daily functioning.
Please share the exact names and doses of all psychiatric medicines you have taken previously/currently, along with when you started/stopped them and the reason for stopping. Do not stop or change any medication abruptly without medical advice.
The symptoms you describe—fear and nervousness around people, difficulty speaking, feeling judged, and repeatedly thinking about hurtful interactions—can occur with anxiety or social anxiety, but other causes should also be considered.
Since this has been affecting your confidence and daily functioning, a proper psychiatric assessment would help clarify the cause and decide whether medication, therapy, or a combination would be appropriate.
Next Steps
Your previous psychiatric treatment and current medications should be reviewed before making any changes. Do not stop or change any medication on your own.
Health Tips
Try to maintain regular sleep, meals and daily activity, and avoid excessive caffeine, as these can sometimes worsen anxiety symptoms.
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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