So I used to do local tournament play in games like MK3 and SF2 when I was younger with little to no issues when it came to anxiety.
Since then I joined the Army and deployed with a light infantry unit, getting pretty badly disabled in the process - it kind of killed all of my confidence being couped up in a bed for the next two years. I can barely walk and gaming is pretty much all I have in lines of hobby’s I enjoy - I really miss that tournament level play.
Now I get nervous doing ranked play in SF IV - let alone going to tournaments.
Anyone on here with genuine anxiety disorders have tips for doing tournament play?
as far as treating anxiety generally you’re probably best seeking advice from a physician but my advice for people with tournament jitters is just exposure therapy. keep entering and improving. treat each match as a learning experience instead of a chance to prove yourself. we all started at the bottom. it took me dozens of tournaments just to dig myself out of going two and out every time.
and getting to know your local scene can help heaps. having a few guys in your corner cheering you on works wonders. good luck mate!