Build Your Own Social Anxiety Toolkit

Building the skills to withstand complex social situations is not simple or easy, but with a few simple tools you can get the initial armor you need to get out there and begin getting the necessary experience to show yourself that you can indeed do this.
Search for an Audiologist close to you to get custom molded soft earplugs made and get the highest filter rating that they offer (15-20db is best). Get used to wearing them before tackling any big social event. You'll find that you wear them a lot more often then you realize!
#autism #spectrum #help
- Music by Fran Blanche -

[Tibyon]

I have suffered from severe social anxiety, so I want to let people know that big events like protests and marches are some of the best environments for people like us. It's hard to get yourself there, but being surrounded by people who are supportive and caring is very soothing and fun. When I went to the Women's March, I wasn't even being treated for my anxiety and it was one of the most fun days of my life!

[DonovanCYoung]

I took improv classes and ultimately performed on stage for nearly 10 years, it helps so much with "Mindfulness". Find a local theater and take an improv class, it's a game changer.

[rmd]

I get social anxiety around rude people - if I feel like I'm with good people I can cope a lot longer. But once I start feeling pushed around I melt down really fast. This video was perfectly timed.

[daytonabeachUSA]

Best taste in music of any YouTube scientist.

[LuchtwaardigeBassie]

Thanks for sharing your tips and trics about social anxiety, especialy the earplugs. For the food and drink tips, i am usings chewing gum so my brain thinks i am eating. When my brain thinks i am eating, there is no room in my brain for stressfull thoughts. Enjoying or living the moment is still hard for me, but i am trying. Self reflection and exceptation of the situation are the keywords for me. I hope the best for everybody with the same struggles in live.

[fact_frenzy]

If you are young and have social anxiety take this advice.

Over my decades of having to take the subway in NYC I've unintentionally created the same kit Fran did. Water, snacks and exit strategies.

Only instead of custom earplugs I would use noise canceling headphones or NC earplugs which are costly but help a lot with loud environments.

[kathrynlittle]

Your analytical, authentic self regularly amazes me with a facet I hadn’t seen before. Thank you, Fran. You’re a treasure.

[weird_sin]

as an introvert with a high functioning anxiety disorder, this helps to remind people like me that we arent as carzy and hopeless as we feel. and not the only ones. thank you fran.

[nzxt]

As an introvert, I get a lot of social anxiety. Just want to say Thank you, Fran!

[pnpplpnppl]

This is really good advice! The only thing I wanted to add is that if you can't afford custom earplugs, you can get attenuated ones off-the-shelf that work a lot better than the foam ones. They aren't quite flat, but they are much closer to just turning the volume down than the foam or squishy earplugs. I have tinnitus/hyperacusis and I wear those in loud situations where foam earplugs would ruin the experience. They're still pretty cheap and they're reuseable.

[DewaldV]

Ohh how I can relate! I wear regular ear plugs in loud spaces. I cannot stand drunk people bashing into me and after such social events I need time to recover.

[spiderpickle]

I think I just got more out of this than I have from months with a therapist.
Fran's well of talents goes deeper than I thought. *Very* deep indeed!

[Zefbot]

An exit plan is critical. I've refused to go to parties on boats before because I know I can't leave when I want.

[cmralph...]

Love your T-Shirt! I used to work in a record store in the 80's (remember those?) I had so many jokes about when customers would ask if I had the Cramps - LMAO - Terrific tips for social anxiety. Thanks - I'm challenged by this too.

[Skyfox]

I think one of the hardest parts about having social anxiety is when people who are outgoing and social don't have the slightest understanding about what it's like to be asocial or have social anxiety, and all too often will push you into an uncomfortable social situation with "Ya' just gotta..." advice.

[topperlongo]

Love that Cramps shirt. “...Cuz I’m the garbage man!!!”.

[Take-the-Ticket]

I don't know how much the custom ear plugs cost, but on the more affordable end are some made by Fender. They work well.

[haint]

Thanks Fran! I'll educate myself about mindfulness.

[yuppers]

As an introvert raised by an extreme extrovert I really appreciate your perspective as a successful person who's figured it out and accepts their limitations as normal

[jasmine]

Right - you didn't have a spare shirt! The biggest part of my toolkit is my car and staying sober... that way I have a place to keep supplies like an extra change of clothes, food, drinks, and so on. I can leave whenever I want, or I can just go sit in the car for a while. I did that at a Nascar race a few years ago when I had too much - I went and sat in the car for a while. I also left before the end of the race to avoid the crowds. Having control in these situations is 90% of the battle. Thanks for talking about this, not many people understand social anxiety. I have used public transport to get to festivals a few times, but then I carry a backpack and some cash to pay for return trips, and I make sure I know the schedule and places to go to catch the trains and whatever. It's all about knowledge and power to take control of the situation.