Is this common? can this be treated?
 

Hi!
I am 33 years old married male. When I was about 10 years old I fell of my bike and broke my front two teeth. I just had root canal treatment done leaving the appearance of broken teeth as it is. Naturally I became shy as I grew up and avoided social situations. When I turned 18 I finally got my teeth fixed. I now have porcelain with metal crown. Initially I had no complain beside the fact the crown felt cold and they are slightly projected outwards. Even with crown I was still timid and didn't like to be center of attention. When I'm drunk it is fine.

Is there anything I can do?

Is it starting of something even worse?

Something strange is happening lately. I cannot face any social situation without a chewing gum in my mouth. Without gum I squint my nose and scrunch my upper lips like predator from Arnold movie. It is really disgusting and I can stop it, also it make is almost impossible to talk to anyone.

Welcome anupshrestha. :welcome_sign:

Hi anupshrestha,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Have you ever talked with your doctor or a psychologist about your anxiety in social situations or this newer difficulty with the movements in your face?

If you've never had those types of movements in your face or other parts of your body before now, then it's likely that they're related to your very high level of anxiety in that particular situation. Do you have actual panic attacks?
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/anxiety/panic.html

It's clever to use the gum if that helps. I have known people who have mouth or facial tics and they use gum when they need to speak in public situations. The chewing motion just seems to help because different muscles are being used and that helps with concentration.

Someone else I know uses a rubber band on their wrist and if the anxiety becomes too great they just ping the rubber band a little and that helps them concentrate more as well. Sounds strange but it can work.

Have you ever taken anything to help alleviate your anxiety - natural or pharmaceutical?

There are a number of methods that a Psychologist can use to help people with anxiety issues. I'd certainly talk to your doctor about this if you've not done so already. It's very difficult to go through life living in a heightened state of anxiety. I know.

We have an Anxiety Forum here
NeuroTalk Support Forum for Anxiety Disorders

There is also a lot of information on the sister-site PsychCentral.
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/anxiety/

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