Posted by AMenz on June 14, 2001, at 10:34:12
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by lissa on June 13, 2001, at 19:45:53
I think there is more to social anxiety than simply medication.
I think like all phobic reactions it is composed of an underlying anxiety picture + a trigger: social occassions.
The other component is interpersonal. People react very negatively to an anxious person. So it places that social barrier.
I think you may try any drug SSRI's etc that promise relief from the underlying anxiety, but you are going to have to work on the behavioral issues. YOu are going to have to work on meeting, talking and taking the steps towards loosening of anxiety. Enough positive experiences and the anxiety upon meeting strangers, or deepening friendships may very well ameliorate.
Also do you have other symptoms that need addressing, eg, irritability, that's another social killer.
Treat the comorbid condition if there is one, eg. BPII BPI, etc.
> > Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia?
>
> Not me. I took them briefly a few years ago. Maybe they helped a little to get me out of my apartment more. My personal experience was that the problem was not really something to be solved by medication (though your experience, of course, may be different). I was very persistent with making myself get out and do things even if I felt stupid and to seize any job opportunity that seemed interesting, even if it took effort to summon the confidence to apply. I made myself sit next to handsome strangers on the subway, even if we were the only two on the train. I met great people and co-workers who were very kind to me and interested in my life -- for whatever reason, I did not have many close friends before that point in my life. I felt better about myself, I cared less what others thought, and though I'm still a bit shy, I think I'm cured. For you, maybe, the problem is more difficult. Maybe you need the medication. I do not know what your present social life is like, but it is always good to get out as much as possible (to make yourself go) and to try to enjoy yourself.
poster:AMenz
thread:66360
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66446.html