Posted by CarolAnn on January 9, 2000, at 10:34:22
In reply to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Social Phobia, posted by Doug on January 8, 2000, at 21:05:18
Hey Doug, what I can offer is my experience:
BAck in my 20's, I suffered from depression, social phobia,and ADD. None of which were actually diagnosed, since I never knew that my "problems" had names and could be treated. I just thought I had some weird, defective, personality. Anyway, in my late 20's, I somehow actually managed to make a friend who is now like a sister to me. This friend(Lori) has no mental health issues at all, and is in fact a very gregarious and extremely social person. We joke that everyone she meets becomes one of her friends. Anyway, thru knowing Lori and enjoying her company, I found myself constantly being convinced, coaxed, or dragged, into various social situations. I think there is actually a type of therapy that does this(immersion therapy?). After a couple years of forcing myself into social behavior, I have actually come to enjoy many social occasions. I do still feel extreme discomfort in trying to think up conversation material with people I don't know, and I am still terrible at small talk, but overall I find myself to be pretty much cured of social phobia. I know it sounds impossible to imagine yourself doing this type of thing, but I think (considering my success) that if you could find a therapist, who was very skilled at this type of therapy, you could find yourself, if not cured, at least functional when it comes to social necessities. Hope this helps.CarolAnn
poster:CarolAnn
thread:18424
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18469.html