Your doctor likely won\u2019t prescribe these for more than a short time. Some doctors prescribe them for a few weeks while waiting for your antidepressant to take effect. Lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax) are examples of this drug class.<\/p>\n
Symptoms often include overwhelming worry, panic, and a racing heartbeat when faced with texting. These symptoms can lead to behaviors such as avoiding their phone, delaying responses, or avoiding texting altogether. But, for those struggling with social anxiety, where every interaction is scrutinized, the challenge of social media as either a benefit or a detriment, becomes even more acute. For the nearly 15 million people nationwide that suffer with social anxiety, social media and online interactions may be helpful or hurtful.<\/p>\n
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Does social media leave you feeling inadequate or disappointed about your life? You can counter symptoms of FOMO by focusing on what you have, rather than what you lack. Make a list of all the positive aspects of your life and read it back when you feel you\u2019re missing out on something better. A more recent 2024 experimental study found that a 14-day break from social media seemed to improve body image among participants. Even just being more mindful of your social media use can have beneficial results on your mood and focus. For example, your social media use may be problematic if it causes you to neglect face-to-face relationships, distracts you from work or school, or leaves you feeling envious, angry, or depressed.<\/p>\n
You may start with a low dose and gradually increase your prescription to avoid side effects. If you\u2019re dissatisfied with one medication, the doctor may offer an alternative. You may want to practice eye contact from a distance \u2013 like 10 feet away. You may want to experiment with noticing the physical feeling or anxiety and see how long you can tolerate it without looking away. Pinpointing why and when you feel most anxious can help you manage those feelings. Every once in a while, you\u2019ll receive an email that makes you irritated, upset or just plain mad.<\/p>\n
When that happens, don\u2019t fire back some thoughts in the heat of the moment. \u201cIf you get a frustrating email, pause before you respond,\u201d Dr. Prewitt says. \u201cTake some deep breaths, so you don\u2019t reply in anger.\u201d Writing an email response, and then leaving it in your drafts folder to look at later, is another option.<\/p>\n
If you can identify the types of social situations that cause you anxiety, you can start to gradually and intentionally expose yourself to anxiety-inducing situations. From there, strategies for overcoming social anxiety depend both on your individual personality and how much the disorder is affecting your life. If you get stressed when texting friends or people you are dating, it\u2019s probably because these relationships are more personal. In personal relationships, the stakes for rejection feel higher, so it can mean you worry more about responding in the right way. Your anxiety around texting is probably related to feeling the need to read, reply or send text messages as soon as possible.<\/p>\n