Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 15, 2004, at 7:19:40
In reply to CBT versus drugs, posted by Kon on January 15, 2004, at 0:56:34
In my opinion, each person suffering from social phobia is either one of the ones who will respond to medication, or one of those who will respond to some form of talk therapy. Through my own experience and the experiences of others with whom I've spoken over the years, CBT seems to be effective only if no avoidant symptoms are present. Many people consider avoidant personality disorder to be just a fancy way of saying "really bad social phobia", but the avoidant behaviors exhibited by those of us afflicted with it (myself included) are quite separate, it seems, from the anxiety in many cases. APD is often misdiagnosed as simple social phobia, but the two are absolutely separate entities (though they most often coexist).
Obviously a propensity toward avoidance makes for a very difficult time adhering to the principles put forth in cognitive behavioral therapy (not to mention even getting out of the house and going to your therapist in the first place!).
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:300957
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040114/msgs/301036.html