Dox47 wrote:
I take drugs, which apparently is not applicable here, but before I had a diagnosis and prescriptions I taught myself to become a moderate social drinker, which was actually pretty effective. What was better was that there seemed to be a bit of exposure therapy type benefit as well, like confronting my feared situation under the sedating effects of alcohol made it less frightening later when I'd encounter it without drinking. It also helped that I really like to play pool, and interacting with people over a common activity is way easier than doing it "cold", and a beer and a few rounds of pool is a pretty cheap evenings entertainment.
I know you don't like medicinal or illicit drugs (I don't), but liquid courage -- small amounts of alcohol -- does work. It works. I especially reccommend Scotch (whiskey) and Coke -- it's a nice masculine drink that keeps your verbal mind and common sense awake with the caffiene, while dramatically reducing inhibitions and fear. Anyway, once you've been buzzed and done some sort of social thing, then when you try it sober it is a little easier.
Practise makes perfect, trust me
. Usually, it takes until I'm a couple of minutes into a conversation (when I forget about my anxety and focus on the person) for me to feel better. If you practise on total strangers who you are never going to see again, you can make planet Earth your training facility. Sometimes, I'll have a crap day socially, and it will feel like crap, but then when I have a good day it feels fantastic.