Social Anxiety Disorder | Lived Experience

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Claire Eastham is a Manchester-based author, award-winning mental health blogger, campaigner and keynote speaker who was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder after suffering excruciating physical symptoms that forced her to leave a business meeting. Claire's first book detailing her personal experience living with an anxiety disorder titled "We’re All Mad Here: The No-Nonsense Guide to Living with Social Anxiety" sold out its entire first print run in just five days and was selected for Reading Well Books on Prescription in 2018. Claire is an ambassador for the mental health research charity, MQ, and has regularly appeared on TV and radio, including appearances on This Morning, BBC Breakfast, and across BBC Radio. Her latest book about her experience is titled "F**k, I think I’m Dying: How I Learned to Live with Panic".
0:00 Intro
02:08 This week's guest
02:50 Early signs of social anxiety disorder
07:57 Coping with social anxiety disorder symptoms while trying to live a normal life
12:40 Reaching a breaking point
17:28 Getting a social anxiety disorder diagnosis in her mid-20s
18:55 Writing a memoir about her social anxiety disorder experience & becoming a mental health advocate
27:06 Seeking support from others
30:25 Managing her social anxiety disorder today
39:25 Claire's advice for anyone battling social anxiety
42:03 Outro
#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #medcircle #psychology #anxiety #socialanxiety #socialanxietydisorder #socialanxietyproblems #anxietydisorder #anxietydisorders

[@sammysmomma3714]

I cried watching this video. I am 65 years old and have suffered from anxiety/panic attacks my entire life. It’s so debilitating and torturous 😢

[@penelopefp]

Sure, therapists and doctors are helpful, but listening to two people share their lived experiences is so uplifting and encouraging. THANK YOU!!

[@user-xu1sj9mr9h]

Sometimes you can have social anxiety without having physical symptoms. You can be quiet or uncomfortable around people

[@nagitosrightfoot5574]

i’ve lived with this all my life and it’s crazy how i never knew the symptoms i faced were those of social anxiety disorder until i was told by my psychiatrist

[@apm77]

One thing I wasn't expecting is that Claire describes very specific and detailed fears that ran through her mind. When I think of anxiety and phobia I think of the "I can't put my finger on why this scares me but it does" end of the spectrum.

[@ninipurple7168]

Everything she’s saying, so relatable.

[@eddiew2325]

I tried overdosing on Flintstone gummies

[@rubin-healmysocialanxiety702]

Thanks for sharing your experience, strength, and hope! There's so much shame associated with having social anxiety so thanks for helping people see that they're not alone ❤

[@nancybradford8514]

Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤, I too ended up being an alcoholic and can NEVER have a safe relationship with alcohol. The journey of discovering ourselves and our anxieties is so important, because we then can start learning how to champion them. I really appreciate understanding how other people are dealing with life on life's terms. I have the worst time in a dentist chair, but letting them know that I wasn't "alright" and struggling, they were so understanding and kind, and I do this wherever, whenever I feel anxiety now. And I have had nothing but a supportive response each time. People don't know what is happening with you unless you tell them, and its just that simple 🤷. Thank you for sharing ladies! It was very much appreciated

[@GoingMedievalOnYourAss]

This is me. Really enjoyed the interview. It felt like these two were new/old friends. 😀

[@deadset8091]

I was told that I had SAD when I was 28 and had a meltdown at work and quit. I found out I saw ASD also at that time. I had stopped drinking then but started up again 5yrs later and did that for another 6yrs and quit again and have been sober 5yrs now. It feels so much better and I understand that it was just a terrible coping mechanism and had to go. It certainly would have been good to know this the first time I saw a psychologist when I was 17yrs old, I didn't see another one until 28. Things have definitely changed and it is still changing as more information becomes available so that is a win.

[@dylannicks1146]

Jesus. I am going through all these things too right now. Thanks for this

[@CatalinaFOIA]

The red blotchy flushing is anxiety due to a huge release of histamine. It's your bodies way of saying "HELP!" and the brain doesn't override the release. It is a helpless, lonely, scary place to be. A caring doctor is a blessing. ❤🙏

[@jakegearing6996]

Can you do an episode on Autism (ASD) I've noticed med circle hasn't done a video on this but have with ADHD

[@gracescorner9809]

I saw the interview from the UK on KZbin several years ago, and it helped.

[@Alek4275]

As people see someone spending a lot of time alone sometimes they ask why, I tell them that I need a lot of focus to stay between other people and hide the fact that I don't know how to behave to respond to their behaviour. So, often, I'd rather stay alone to rest myself. I don't think they understand how hard it is to need to remember when to smile, when to not smile, when to start and stop eye contact with others, to try a sad facial expression when needed, to try expressions in front of the mirror to check if they look as other people expressions to avoid misunderstandings (it happens so often that I try to joke and the other people think I'm serious and things get messy). Being lonely is bad? Maybe, but not if you need to mimic other people continuously to live between them. I think that someday I will retire on the top of a mountain and I'll live there, alone and peacefull.

[@CLuvTravels]

I realized that nervous sweat and exercise sweat are different

[@CatalinaFOIA]

I have a visceral reaction to my severe panic attack disorder. I become scared (fight/flight) however I also panic and my body releases an overload of histamine... which is awful. Causes increased heart rate, blood pressure to soar, shakey voice... but the worst symptom is the flushing of the skin... patchy blotchy red uneven skin on my chest, neck, etc... I am literally allergic to myself and my disorder. 😢 I do take a low dose benzo, as needed to control/manage my severe panic disorder. I was never a shy child; however I think this anxiety formed after my parents divorced. Mom left us 3 kids with dad who was a very busy Dr. Therefore at 6 yrs old I learned how to cook, clean, and take care of a 9 month old baby, my baby brother. I didn't know my body was reacting to anxiety until my band teacher in 7th grade asked me if I was okay after a chair performance. I was 1st chair and didn't want to mess up my 1st chair spot. I didn't know what he meant so he said to go look in the mirror. I couldn't believe what I saw. I saw a broken little girl, not understanding why this was happening to me. I thought I'd grow out of it to... oh no that beast grew. In 2010 I finally found a compassionate caring doctor and told him all my symptoms and he said, "You have severe panic attack disorder" ah... finally a name and REAL HELP. The medicine I needed, as needed. I understand how addictive it could be for some yet for me it was a life saver. Changed my life, so many benefits. I never run out because I'd be horrified if I didn't have what I need in the event of a panic attack. Panic attacks are one of the scariest unrelenting debilitating curses to have. I was 30 years old when I finally got REAL HELP. I suffered from 12 yrs old until 30, finally I could breath, not turn super blotchy red. I still have tough days yet I now know and have ways to help navigate my anxiety. *My mother is a severe alcoholic, and nonfunctional. It's awful. I didn't want to go down that road. My mother also had nervous breakdowns in 1983 and 1986; I'm certain it was due to anxiety that unfortunately I have inherited and the trauma in my childhood exasperated it all. We watch our daughter very closely for symptoms of anxiety... no trauma is our goal. She is 8 and so far no traumatic events have occurred that would alter the course of her life. ❤ Amxiety sucks/End the stigma... you feel so alone when you're suffering and thank you for the compassionate and caring physicians who believe you and can help you with medication that isn't wanted but NEEDED.

[@davidsluggysportshayden2401]

Great!

[@deannamancuso72]

Why did you stop making videos????? It was the one thing I could count on.

[@iddk1234]

Hi, My schizophrenic voices see the future and a past version of myself was talking to a present version of myself They request me to do certain tasks What should I do I would appreciate any adviceHi, My schizophrenic voices see the future and a past version of myself was talking to a present version of myself They request me to do certain tasks What should I do? I would appreciate any advice

[@user-qf3mu5ds5c]

when I was a kid I always wonder why people act and behave the way they are. As a kid I struggled with social skills and always practice how I should act or what i am going to say. I practice a lot inside my mind. I feel anxious when I face the crowds or the i am the center of attention. I don't really understand social or lets say romance always wonder what it feels like. I am sensitive to light and can't sleep if I caught even just a little or faint light . I am struggling with emotions. I just don't feel sad or feel empathy towards people who are sad or crying or whatever it is. I didn't say I don't have emotions it just that I don't know , maybe I can't relate or something. When I was a kid when no one sees me , I bite my skin , tugging my hair or banging my head. I also notice the rocking backward and forward or tapping my hands, rocking my feet , or obsessed with books. I also notice the pattern of my speech though it occurs rarely . Growing up , I mastered my facial expression , the act and use it to my advantage. It became natural to me like I was born with this . To be honest , yes , I watched people and mimicked what they do, and say . the way they speak, even the handwriting. I tend to repeat the words or sentenced I just heard and when I noticed i feel like people think I am weird. People telling me I am kind of violent and sadistic but have a neutral expression. When I was in college , when my professor told us to describe our classmates, they describe me as "poker face, simple and quiet". I have few friends but can't tell if I feel deeper bond with them . I can't call them best friends because I don't think I feel that strongly about them. When I say I lie , I mean I always lie, like giving them the view that what I am telling them is true and that is my true me. I can tell that everything about me is a lie , like i don't have an original personality. Everything i do is just pretending jut to fit it . I have this attitude that when you anger me , there is no way , i won't get back. I will . no matter how long , i will make do revenge and make you pay even if took days , months or yerars. My angers doesn't settle easily . Yes , i grew up with lots of hatefulness within me . I don't know why . my mind won't let me. What i AM ? WHY I AM LIKE THIS ? PLEASE TELL ME . its been a years since i notice this about myself and i want to go to psychologist or psychiatrist for consultation regarding this matter but I am afraid people tell me i am crazy . because i have been called many time by my siblings that i am crazy and people telling me i am weird.

[@somethingalongthelinesof7946]

Yes, start with therapy. You don't have to tell them all in one go. They will ask questions, and you can start telling them as little as you like, but try to be truthful from the beginning. That way you can get the best help they can give you. Tell them how you feel, tell them why you don't feel like answering a question, they will understand, they'll help you.

[@lilytea3]

0:00: 😰 The speaker discusses their experience with social anxiety disorder and how embracing it can help reduce symptoms. 4:50: 😔 The speaker became obsessed with the idea that others hated them, leading to anxiety and physical symptoms. 9:40: 👥 The speaker discusses their experience with exposure therapy and how it helped them overcome their fears. 14:34: 😱 Claire has a panic attack and runs to the hospital in a state of fear and panic. 19:27: 📝 The speaker decided to become a writer after experiencing confusion and negativity surrounding their illness and wanted to translate it in a relatable and humorous way. 23:53: 📚 The speaker talks about the whirlwind experience of publishing their book and gaining publicity. 28:44: 🧠 The speaker discusses their experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the challenges of changing negative thought patterns. 33:10: 😔 The speaker discusses the connection between alcohol consumption and mental health, particularly in relation to anxiety and bipolar disorder. 38:01: 🌼 The speaker schedules downtime activities, like sitting in an English garden, to remind themselves that life isn't going anywhere. Recap by Tammy AI

[@JokerTheGemini]

Hi

[@the_mentalhealthdoc]

Very insightful experience, but why interviewer is so over-reacting? :/

[@tatteredangel5884]

If the Francis rhetoric isnt right out of the Masonic Lodge playbook, who knows where its from?

[@TarkMcCoy]

Visine: Camouflage for the severely depressed. ...or is that just me?

[@ToyotaGuy1971]

The topic is obscured; not underrated. "Underrated"; oh, you took a pole? 🤷‍♂️ Cant rate something if you cant see it. That wallpaper is sooooo gynocentric! 😝

[@g.d.anonymous8235]

STOP WITH THE BLUE BUBBLES/CIRCLES IN YOUR VIDEOS!!! THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY!!!!!!

[@nduvho94]

😂

[@nagitosrightfoot5574]

LMFAOOOOOO😭😭😭😭

[@mashalazhar3070]

I am not psychic or mad and I do not need such videos

[@purplecarrotstirfry]

LOL then click off