Redditors who overcame social anxiety, what's the best advice you could give to someone suffering?

For one thing, there is nothing saying that you have to face or fix social anxiety alone. I always thought that all I had to do is fix my mindset to make me okay with talking to people.

I actually joined a research group for dealing with social anxiety and the number one thing they taught me is to fix safety behaviors. In other words, do you notice yourself doing something out of fear? Such as seeing someone you know at a distance and walking a detour just a avoid them? Guess what, it's a safety behavior so instead purposefully walk towards them. Identify and then act differently.

It takes A LOT of mental work especially since you are putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. There are resources out there. Maybe even a research group at your local college. USE YOUR RESOURCES. I may still be dealing with anxiety, but I am confident that I have the necessary skills to manage it. That's all it really is, having to tools to fight your anxiety that will always be there to some extent.

/r/AskReddit Thread