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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cerodwen on June 13, 2003, at 17:11:37
Hi everyone-
I am am having trouble with depression and social anxiety, getting really nervous around people and not wanting to get things done. I even have trouble talking to my psychiatrist. What do you recommend to help feel better? Thanks.
Posted by Dinah on June 13, 2003, at 20:09:52
In reply to Newbie, posted by Cerodwen on June 13, 2003, at 17:11:37
Hello Cerodwen. (Is that posting name Welsh? I love all things of Wales)
Does your psychiatrist prescribe medications for you? You might want to post on the medication board for suggestions about meds. I find that my Klonopin works well for my anxiety.
Have you tried writing notes to your psychiatrist and bringing them to your sessions? I was just looking over the notes that I used to write to my therapist, and it really helped at a time that I found it difficult to talk to him.
Dinah
Posted by Dinah on June 13, 2003, at 20:10:37
In reply to Newbie, posted by Cerodwen on June 13, 2003, at 17:11:37
Oh, and welcome to Babble. :)
Posted by shar on June 13, 2003, at 22:33:00
In reply to Re: Newbie » Cerodwen, posted by Dinah on June 13, 2003, at 20:10:37
Welcome. I hope you will find good support and answers heres, and helpful suggestions and ideas. Many have.
Shar
Posted by judy1 on June 14, 2003, at 11:08:47
In reply to Newbie, posted by Cerodwen on June 13, 2003, at 17:11:37
I just wanted to add a welcome too. Dinah's suggestion of writing things down and bringing them to your session really helps, I hope you try it. It's exhausting to be anxious all the time, so meds are important (benzos work great) until you have other skills to keep it under control
take care, judy
Posted by Cerodwen on June 14, 2003, at 17:47:30
In reply to Re: Newbie » Cerodwen, posted by judy1 on June 14, 2003, at 11:08:47
That is a good idea about taking notes, I tried it once before and it worked well. I am wondering if this social anxiety is a regular symptom of bipolar, is it associated with mania or depression? Has anyone else experienced this? Not wanting to talk to friends or housemates, not wanting to meet new people or interact? I am trying journaling and reseach. As for meds, I don't know anything about the benzo's, but I'm taking topomax as a mood stabilizer and Lexapro to relieve my depression.
-Cerodwen
Posted by judy1 on June 15, 2003, at 13:56:42
In reply to Re: Newbie, posted by Cerodwen on June 14, 2003, at 17:47:30
I have panic disorder along with bipolar- my pdoc calls it 'manic/panic' so I suspect it's a fairly common comorbid dx. I don't have social anxiety- more an agoraphobic type reaction- but I do take klonopin and xanax to help handle that along with therapy.
Take care, judy
Posted by deirdrehbrt on June 15, 2003, at 23:59:05
In reply to Newbie, posted by Cerodwen on June 13, 2003, at 17:11:37
Welcome to Babble.
The suggestion about notes is a good one. I use my journal, and I keep it with me so that when I have something I want to write, it's there. I look through it in the waiting area, and if there is something I think she should see, I show it to her. It also gives me a chance to sort of review my week before going into the office. That also helps me focus on what I want to, or need to.
Maybe being prepared, and having things in mind might help you focus enough to cut down some of the anxiety.
If you keep having difficulty with the anxiety, it might be worth while to consider discussing whether or not a different therapist might be beneficial. No therapist or psychiatrist is perfect for every client. If you're having difficulty with yours, perhaps she/he is feeling the same thing.
Having a good relationship with your therapist is very important to your getting better. Anxiety will get in the way of that relationship. If it is still a new relationship, what you are feeling could be just the normal feelings associated with starting a new relationship. Your doctor should still though, be able to read that anxiety, unless you hide it really well.
It's also important to be open to your doctor.
I spent a full year of therapy managing to hide what was really going on. I thought that therapy was worthless because I felt that my T didn't know me. Had I been open, or able to be open, I could have started working on things much earlier. I don't think I was trying to hide things from her though. I was trying more to hide it from myself.
Anyway, welcome again, and I hope that things work out well for you.
Dee.
Posted by Cerodwen on June 16, 2003, at 19:07:27
In reply to Re: Newbie, posted by deirdrehbrt on June 15, 2003, at 23:59:05
Thank you for your help and support. I recently (about a month ago) decided to try seeing a therapist in addition to my psychiatrist. I've been seeing my p-doc for a long time, probably about 2 years (every 3 weeks). I don't feel like I've ever really been comfortable with him, partly because of my issues with men. But I think he is really nice.
I am just so afraid to try someone different. I feel like being bipolar introduces so much flux into my life all the time and I am so happy to have a p-doc who knows my history and who is at least a little familiar. He gets a lot of credit too for being one of the few men in my life who hasn't abandoned me. I hate to rock the boat even if I don't feel that open with him. But now that I'm seeing a new therapist and working on stuff every week and working harder on journaling I have higher hopes of learning how to deal with my moods, how to keep from getting too manic or too depressed.
I'm glad there are resources like this out there for people like me.
This is the end of the thread.
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