[Celyn]

Hi there,

Having social anxiety and being in school can be hard. Try to do the breathing exercises at the start of the day, before you go to school and if possible before/during social situations. This will help you to keep calm and may help to keep you “grounded”. When I was anxious before school, I found that listening to some music helped. It doesn’t necessarily have to be calming music; I listened to my favourite songs.

Are you having counselling at all? I also agree with Cassie about the flash pass, but try to remain in the situations that make you anxious. Also, try to remember that even though anxiety can feel pretty horrible, that’s all it is, feelings. It can’t hurt you. Staying in a situation even though you are anxious helps to realise this.

Speaking your thoughts out loud and doing things you didn’t mean to can be signs of dissociation. But again, as Cassie said, your previous thread has help there

I’m also not sure of any consequences of holding water in your mouth for a long time. Could you perhaps chew gum instead?

Take care