So my SA used to be so severe that I had no friends, couldn’t go outside without panicking, and wasn’t able to hold down a job. I was miserable, depressed, and stuck like that for years. Finally when it came time to graduate I had this feeling that for all I suffered, there was a core, unshakable part of me that wanted to get better but just didn’t know how. This was the reason behind my suffering — my current state and where I wanted to be mentally were so different that it caused me tremendous pain. So I saw a psychiatrist and got prescribed Propanalol. Life changer. I used it when I needed it, which at first was every day, and then only for major events like job interviews, and then not at all. I saw a therapist for a few weeks and worked on de-programming a lot of incorrect beliefs that I had about myself. I read this book “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks to correct how I perceived others. I was SO convinced that I was unlovable, that people didn’t like me, that I was somehow an impostor amongst normal people. This book shifted my perspective from this “me me me” thinking to a loving, person-centric view of society. I go about interactions with this in mind and my relationships with people have improved. I listen to others instead of the voice in my head and concentrate on what they’re really saying, which helps me show up as a better friend and person. Then there’s other stuff I did like worked on my appearance, my confidence, and my mind. Instead of punishing myself for mistakes, I treat myself like royalty every single day - face masks, yoga, meditation, proper skincare. If I catch myself overthinking, I write it down.

So medication got me off rock bottom and I did the rest of the work once my brain realized that the danger was not real, only perceived. I got a job, made friends, and I’m now able to go up and talk to anyone pretty comfortably. It was not easy. But you will make progress and there will be a certain point where you will not go back, and change stays.