Posted by marip on August 30, 2003, at 2:53:59
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety: HELP PLEASE!!, posted by Budgie on August 29, 2003, at 20:11:54
Just wanted to respond about SA--I thought I was crazy with the way I have completely cut myself off from all friends over the past five years. It took over three years for anyone to even realize I wasnt just antisocial but actually depressed/anxious...Still, today is the first time I've heard other people describe my symptoms...
I've been on prozac, celexa, now wellbutrin--each one seems to work for a while and the SA goes away (it feels wonderful!! Suddenly I have enough energy to talk to whoever and sometimes even call someone instead of avoid all people). But I always have relapses and its almost worse because I finally know how it can feel not to be so afraid of every person who might talk to me.
Something I experience a lot is sweating when I talk to people--and an inability to articulate myself at all--maybe thats the foggy head some others have described? Also, I have a major phone-phobia--my heart races everytime I hear the phone ring because it might be someone who wants to talk to me and ask me to do something with them and then Id have to think of an excuse not to and...it just gets worse from there. Anyone else experience this?
Its pretty amazing to hear that this problem isnt something I need to beat out of myself necessarily but truly another symptom of my depression.
thanks for sharing everyone,
marip
ps. All my depression/anxiety social anxiety started for me once I quit drugs my sophomore year of college--I had to stop because the social anxiety seemed to be way worse when I smoked or whatever. Now even thinking about being high makes me anxious. Sometimes I regret that because even nicotine helped me feel more comfortable with people before. Now it seems like my only option is avoidance.
--Caffeine sometimes helps--not coffee but Green Tea or Ginsing--mild stimulants.
poster:marip
thread:255249
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030828/msgs/255560.html