Hi Doctor, Often I get nervous and afraid while interacting with group of people. I keep on thinking what I will say in front of some group of people. It is disturbing me a lot. It looks like I am suffering from social anxiety. sometime I even feel pain in my chest. Doctor, please suggest me how to treat this. Thanks a lot.

Ms. Juhi ParasharPsychologist4yrs exp

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Hi, you need medication as well as psychotherapy for this. Practice mindfulness: The primary goal of mindful breathing is simply a calm, nonjudging awareness, allowing thoughts and feelings to come and go without getting caught up in them. Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed and your spine reasonably straight. Bring your attention to your breathing. Imagine that you have a balloon in your tummy. Every time you breathe in, the balloon inflates. Each time you breathe out, the balloon deflates. Notice the sensations in your abdomen as the balloon inflates and deflates. Your abdomen rising with the in-breath, and falling with the out-breath. Thoughts will come into your mind, and that?s okay, because that?s just what the human mind does. Simply notice those thoughts, then bring your attention back to your breathing. Likewise, you can notice sounds, physical feelings, and emotions, and again, just bring your attention back to your breathing. You don?t have to follow those thoughts or feelings, don?t judge yourself for having them, or analyse them in any way. It?s okay for the thoughts to be there. Just notice those thoughts, and let them drift on by, bringing your attention back to your breathing. Whenever you notice that your attention has drifted off and is becoming caught up in thoughts or feelings, simply note that the attention has drifted, and then gently bring the attention back to your breathing. It's okay and natural for thoughts to enter into your awareness, and for your attention to follow them. No matter how many times this happens, just keep bringing your attention back to your breathing.  

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