Nerves when speaking to people for the first time

[Tomtom]

Hey, does anyone else get really nervous in certain 'normal' social interactions before they speak to someone new for the first time? It happens to me a lot in certain situations, unfortunately, one of those situations is interviewing patients (I'm a medical student), and I'm about to be posted to a hospital for the first time where a 9-5 will consist mostly of talking to new patients for the first time. I always assumed it was just nerves about putting things we learned from classes into practice; but none of my peers seem to be apprehensive about it in the slightest. I'm wondering if it's just me?

[Tom fod]

I doubt it's much consolation that your peers have the same doubts and fears. They're just better at ignoring them. Whilst in theory as a doctor you're in a positiom of power there will always be some who are convinced they know better and can really really shake your self confidence and that is frightening.

Actually you can`t know how anyone will react to your speaking to them and you have to go with it and do your best and listen and think about what they`re saying. It might not be literal.Anyone can experience difficulty trying to make themselves understood especially if they`re feeling off colour or not in the zone.

[Tomtom]

I think this should be the stage where I clarify that a med student= in university; not a doctor. It's not that I fear anything specific about the situation, it's just entering random social situations seem to terrify me, I'm fine during and after them, but I have this moment of apprehension beforehand...

[shisu]

Definitely a dyspraxic trait I think.. I use to get really nervous going into a pub or similar environment and sometimes would almost just walk away rather than face it though to my credit I don't think I actually ever did walk away!, I have got better since joining a local community pub but still that is more to do with being familiar with everyone there now I think, although overall I think I have improved a lot, you will get better with practice, it just takes longer than for a 'normal' and throwing yourself in the deep end will speed it up.

[Tom fod]

I think this should be the stage where I clarify that a med student= in university; not a doctor. It's not that I fear anything specific about the situation, it's just entering random social situations seem to terrify me, I'm fine during and after them, but I have this moment of apprehension beforehand...

Apologies, how about trainee medical professional?

Are there any specific fears you have here? Llike missing the point and saying the wrong thing? Being otherwise misunderstood?

[Tomtom]

Strangely, there aren't any specific fears I have, and I'm fine once I'm actually in the conversation. It's just random situations that I am always really apprehensive before beginning. Entering my older brother's room used to be another one, I would be 19 years old, and I got on well with him, but I would still have a second or two of massive fear before I walked in; it's really weird...

[Tom fod]

If it`s any consolation I`ve had situations where to me everything seems to be sliding into chaos but when someone has asked me to tell them what it is wrong I cannot for the life of me come up with an answer and of course I then worry that they think I`m useless and making something out of nothing 8-(

[morgank82]

I fumble or jumbo my words quit abit when I'm taking to someone new or I start going off on a different topic which makes it kinda occurred. And yes nervous for I am social anxiety or have it. So I get over stimulated at times. Best way is to mediate I figure one quick 15 min sesh with calmness Breathing, to reset your nerves in brain. Kinda like alcapuncure when the needles reset and pinch your nerves for a reboot in your body system. It does not conquer it all the time but it helps I found Tom.

[Elizabeth92]

First time posting on this (I arrived here via google search on this exact topic…)
I totally relate, and I’m a law student so it’s definitely something people expect me to be naturally good at!
I find a lot of the time it’s totally dependent on how I’m feeling as well, sometimes I’ll feel super chatty and friendly and at other times the idea of speaking to people I don’t know sounds horrendous.

I know it’s one of the most over-used sayings but I find a lot of the time the “fake it ‘till you make it” mentality seems to work pretty well.

**Side-note, I’m (pleasantly) surprised how many people with dyspraxia seem to have gone down the uni/academia route

[Elizabeth92]

First time posting on this (I arrived here via google search on this exact topic…)
I totally relate, and I’m a law student so it’s definitely something people expect me to be naturally good at!
I find a lot of the time it’s totally dependent on how I’m feeling as well, sometimes I’ll feel super chatty and friendly and at other times the idea of speaking to people I don’t know sounds horrendous.

I know it’s one of the most over-used sayings but I find a lot of the time the “fake it ‘till you make it” mentality seems to work pretty well.

**Side-note, I’m (pleasantly) surprised how many people with dyspraxia seem to have gone down the uni/academia route

[Tomtom]

As an update, at least in this situation- I'm now pretty comfortable. It took me longer than my collegues, but a combination: of 'faking it until you make it' as Elizabeth put it, and also other factors (for example, when you're putting needles into people's arms on a regular basis, interviewing them seems incredibly easy in comparison), have helped me get used to the situation