Conquering Social Anxiety: My Personal Struggle and Triumph

Welcome back to my daily journal, now marking consecutive day 1574 of my journey in run vlogging. Today, I want to open up about a topic very close to my heart: social anxiety and how it can profoundly impact those who struggle with it. If this resonates with you, I hope my experiences will provide some solace and perhaps even a strategy for managing it.

Understanding Social Anxiety

For those who have followed my vlogs, you might already know that I live with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). While ADHD is an intricate topic deserving of its own discussion, one of its knock-on effects for me is social anxiety. Now, what exactly is social anxiety? It is the overwhelming fear, discomfort, and concern that arise in social situations. This fear can span from conversing with close friends to engaging in dialogue with strangers or those you might feel intimidated by. Anxiety manifests in various ways—fear of speaking, dread of awkward silences, and even physical symptoms like overactive sweat glands.

Real-Life Encounters

It’s easier to illustrate social anxiety with some real-life examples. Recently, while playing snooker with my best friend, who’s practically a brother to me, I had an episode. We’ve built a rapport with Neil Robertson, a former snooker world champion, who trains at the same club in Cambridge. Despite the familiar setting and friendly atmosphere, when Neil came over to chat, I suddenly felt overwhelmingly hot, and I started perspiring uncontrollably.

So much so, it was beading off my forehead and creating noticeable sweat patches on my shirt. While it was warmer than usual in the club, this reaction was far beyond what the temperature could account for. It was an unnerving experience, marred by embarrassment, compounded by my constant anxiety.

Another instance occurred during an online interview with a potential new team member. Though conducted virtually, the anxiety was real. It reached a point where I had to momentarily excuse myself to grab a glass of water and cool down. This small action allowed me to regain control of my nerves and resume the interview without further issues.

Strategies to Manage Social Anxiety

These experiences affirmed that my overactive sweat glands are indeed triggered by social anxiety. However, these episodes also taught me some vital strategies for managing this condition.

Recognize the Symptoms: Being aware of why and how your body is reacting is crucial. Understanding that overactive sweat glands are a symptom of my social anxiety helps me remain calm and composed.

Take a Moment: Sometimes, stepping out of the immediate environment helps. Whether it's excusing yourself briefly or even just taking a deep breath, these small gestures can make a big difference.

Breathwork: Focusing on my breath can significant impact. Deep breathing exercises help me calm down and regain control.

Prepare External Conditions: Ensuring the right environment for potentially stressful situations helps too. For interviews, I now try to keep water handy and dress in colours that mask any signs of perspiration.

A Continuous Journey

Social anxiety is real and can be incredibly daunting. However, understanding it makes all the difference. Now, when faced with similar situations, I am equipped to handle my anxiety rather than letting it overpower me. Moreover, learning to manage this aspect of my life has made me more resilient and adaptive.

Reflecting on and sharing these experiences not only helps me but can be a beacon for others grappling with similar challenges. So, thank you for being a part of this journey and for giving me the platform to discuss these important issues.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line. Remember, if you support my mission of saving the lives of children by attempting the ultimate ultramarathon of run vlogging on consecutive days, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we reach, the more lives we save.

Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain