From the Mayo Clinic
Lifestyle and home remedies
Although social anxiety disorder generally requires help from a medical expert or qualified psychotherapist, you can try some self-help techniques to handle situations likely to trigger your symptoms.
First, consider your fears to identify what situations cause the most anxiety. Then gradually practice these activities until they cause you less anxiety. Begin with small steps in situations that aren't overwhelming.
Situations to practice may include:
Eating with a close relative, friend or acquaintance in a public setting.
Making eye contact and returning greetings from others, or being the first to say hello
Giving someone a compliment
Asking a retail clerk to help you find an item
Getting directions from a stranger
Showing an interest in others — ask about their homes, children, grandchildren, hobbies or travels, for instance
Calling a friend to make plans
At first, being social when you're feeling anxious is challenging. As difficult or painful as it may seem initially, don't avoid situations that trigger your symptoms. By regularly facing these kinds of situations, you'll continue to build and reinforce your coping skills.
The following techniques can help you begin to face situations that make you nervous:
Prepare for conversation. For instance, read the newspaper to identify an interesting story you can talk about.
Focus on personal qualities you like about yourself.
Practice relaxation exercises.
Adopt stress management techniques.
Set realistic goals.
Pay attention to how often the embarrassing situations you're afraid of actually take place. You may notice that the scenarios you fear usually don't come to pass.
When embarrassing situations do happen, remind yourself that your feelings will pass, and you can handle them until they do.
Avoid using alcohol to calm your nerves. It may seem like it helps, but in the long run it can make you feel more anxious.
May I be guided to accept others who may differ from me and always separate opinion from fact. I insist that others put the benefit of the group before anything else, regardless of a well meaning agenda. If what you say is a fact, you can back it up. If not, it's opinion and should be called that. The safety of members is paramount.
Only our weaknesses give us real strength.
Only our failures grant us victories.
"When fascism comes to the United States, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis 1935
