Yesterday I watched the biopic 'About a Son' in which Kurt Cobain discusses his childhood, music career and views on life. An edited version of 25 hours of interview tapes recorded a year before he committed suicide, the film offers some insight into the negative thought patterns that seemed to be driving Kurt towards taking his own life. From the film  I got the impression that Kurt exhibited many of the c ...

If you suffer from social anxiety then the fear of what people think can sometimes be overwhelming. Simple activities like walking into a crowded room or sitting near a group of strangers can be enough to set off your alarm bells and cause you to panic. Because you're convinced people are judging you and talking about you. In the worst case scenario you might hear someone laugh, which of course you think is ...

[photo courtesy of aurevoirkatie] Being asked to do favours and to help people out is just a part of everyday life. Whilst being able to decline requests if they're too inconvenient isn't a problem for most, if you're socially anxious then being able to say 'No' is fraught with hazards. The trick is knowing how to be fair to yourself in assessing whether to do the favour, and then being assertive in how you ...

Do you ever find it difficult to follow conversations? Does your mind go blank 'trying' to think of something to say? Or do you feel overcome by nervous whenever you enter or leave a room? If so then it's probably due to anxiety getting in the way. Social anxiety is rooted in the fear of what people think of you and causes you to worry about  everything you say and do. As a result, anxiety can cause you to ...

If you suffer from social anxiety disorder simple everyday activities, such as going to the shops or standing on a crowded bus, can seem daunting. Worrying about what other people think of you and if something bad will happen blights the lives of millions around the world. In fact, it's estimated that 15 million people in the US suffer from an anxiety disorder and 2.3 million in the UK. So if you suffer fro ...

  The Shyness and Social Anxiety System is a social phobia support program created by Sean Cooper, an ex-sufferer of social anxiety and shyness. Comprising of three eBooks and a private member's support group, Sean's system provides a guide to the latest thinking on what causes social anxiety and the techniques he developed to overcome it and live a more fulfilling life. There's no shortage of books an ...

[photo courtesy James Jordan] The brain is a complicated muscle, but one we're learning more about all the time. Most people aren't adversely affected by the changes in the weather as summer draws to a close, whilst some feel moody, drained and depressed with the arrival of cold winds and gray skies. In the news recently the results of research was announced that identified a biological reason why two milli ...

Along with food and water, giving your body a supply of air is essential for maintaining your heath and well being. If you're not breathing properly then this can cause imbalances in your blood and affect the way your body behaves. Poor breathing can cause dizziness, shortness of breath and shaking, which are all too familiar symptoms if you suffer from anxiety or panic. The key is to learn how to breathe d ...

You feel the way that you think, and now UK school children are being taught how to think more positively to help them cope with the stresses of teenage life. Initially, 1500 11-year olds from 22 schools are being given lessons on how to assess situations objectively, how to be assertive and many other skills that can help them cope better with emotionally difficult situations. If the scheme is a success th ...

Over the last few decades recognition of social anxiety disorder has grown rapidly. No longer is it seen as just a case of someone being over sensitive, too shy or introverted, but a recognised and diagnosable condition. But as with all anxiety disorders, it can be difficult to test for social phobia without clear guidance from a doctor or a psychiatrist. It’s not like having a fever, when you can just chec ...