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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tepiaca on March 23, 2006, at 17:36:57
I have tried almost any med on the market
Benzoz, Tcas, SRRIS , betablockers and more
What I have never tried is an stimulant.Do you believe this could be useful for Social P
Does an stimulant work in the same way than
wellbutrin? or in the sameway than Mirapex?I just been thinking on them a lot. Anyway I need to give a full trial to Nardil and Parnate
Any experiences , are well received
Posted by med_empowered on March 23, 2006, at 17:57:04
In reply to Stimulants for social phobia?????, posted by Tepiaca on March 23, 2006, at 17:36:57
a **mild** stimulant might be helpful for social phobia. Some docs have found that if a patient responds well to a benzo, like clonazepam, adding Provigil (modafinil) or Ritalin (methylphenidate) can be helpful, too; I imagine the stimulants act as "pro-social" agents, while the benzo helps to curb anxiety and prevent any stimulant-induced anxiety. It could be worth a shot. However, I don't think stimulants help very much for the core of social phobia--for that, benzos or MAOIs (possibly other antidepressant classes, as well) are probably best.
Good luck!
Posted by Declan on March 23, 2006, at 19:18:41
In reply to stimulants for social phobia, posted by med_empowered on March 23, 2006, at 17:57:04
Tep, Where the fear comes from confusion and uncertainty in relating to people, stimulants may help. Some people here have spoken about executive dysfunction and social liablility which respond to the clarity that stimulants can give you. Maybe this just means you feel disorganised and confused around people, and that makes the fear worse. Stimulants help me socially, but not for very long. I get too tense, and then I need Valium or alcahol.
Declan
Posted by Racer on March 23, 2006, at 21:55:39
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia, posted by Declan on March 23, 2006, at 19:18:41
Tepi, have you had any sort of therapy for your SP? I'm thinking, really, that it's probably the best long term solution for you.
Otherwise, I think the others here have answered your question better than I can. (Except to say that I'm a bit MORE uncomfortable socially, I think, on the stims I've been trying... It's early days, though...)
Posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2006, at 22:02:51
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia, posted by Racer on March 23, 2006, at 21:55:39
Tepi stay on your nardil for a longer time. Give the meds more time. Love Phillipa/Jan
Posted by zeugma on March 24, 2006, at 6:11:28
In reply to Stimulants for social phobia?????, posted by Tepiaca on March 23, 2006, at 17:36:57
Ritalin worked very well for my social phobia in the sense that I was motivated/had energy to seek out social interactions.
Unfortunately, it caused terrible increases in other forms of anxiety.
-z
Posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:32:11
In reply to stimulants for social phobia, posted by med_empowered on March 23, 2006, at 17:57:04
> a **mild** stimulant might be helpful for social phobia. Some docs have found that if a patient responds well to a benzo, like clonazepam, adding Provigil (modafinil) or Ritalin (methylphenidate) can be helpful, too; I imagine the stimulants act as "pro-social" agents, while the benzo helps to curb anxiety and prevent any stimulant-induced anxiety. It could be worth a shot.
that sounds very interesting to me. I could give a try in the future!
Posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:36:27
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia, posted by Declan on March 23, 2006, at 19:18:41
> Tep, Where the fear comes from confusion and uncertainty in relating to people, stimulants may help. Some people here have spoken about executive dysfunction and social liablility which respond to the clarity that stimulants can give you. Maybe this just means you feel disorganised and confused around people, and that makes the fear worse. Stimulants help me socially, but not for very long.
I could try it
how long does they work for you dec????
Posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:40:22
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia, posted by Racer on March 23, 2006, at 21:55:39
> Tepi, have you had any sort of therapy for your SP? I'm thinking, really, that it's probably the best long term solution for you.
>I really dont believe in therapy , but what else can I do if nothing else works. I gonna try terapy again , I did it in the past. I just felt in those days that I have someone listenings my complaints , but honestly I didn´t feel any kind of relief. This is something strong
thanks zeugma
Posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:41:59
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia » Racer, posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:40:22
Posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:44:19
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia, posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2006, at 22:02:51
> Tepi stay on your nardil for a longer time. Give the meds more time. Love Phillipa/Jan
Yes dear Jan, I didn´t feel well yet. Im waiting for more time on Nardil to kick in. This depression have been the worst I have ever had in years
Love Tep
Posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:46:22
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia?????, posted by zeugma on March 24, 2006, at 6:11:28
> Ritalin worked very well for my social phobia in the sense that I was motivated/had energy to seek out social interactions.
>
> Unfortunately, it caused terrible increases in other forms of anxiety.
>
> -zwhat meds have been the best for your Social phobia zeug?
thanks
Posted by psychopharmacon on March 24, 2006, at 23:52:14
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » zeugma, posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:46:22
Hi Tepiaca, have you tried Solian (amisulpride)? I use a low dose (100 mg) and it's work really well for my social phobia. Try 25-100 mg.
Posted by Racer on March 25, 2006, at 0:31:40
In reply to Re: stimulants for social phobia » Racer, posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:40:22
> > Tepi, have you had any sort of therapy for your SP? I'm thinking, really, that it's probably the best long term solution for you.
> >
>
> I really dont believe in therapy , but what else can I do if nothing else works. I gonna try terapy again , I did it in the past.Tepi, do give therapy another try. If you get a good therapist, one who suits you, it can be very helpful.
Here's the thing: there are two sides to every mental illness. The biochemical side can be addressed by the drugs, and in most cases it probably should be. But there's also a psychological side to it, one that involves how we have coped with our mental illness. Therapy addresses the psychological aspects of mental illness, and helps us learn better coping skills.
In the case of Social Phobia, therapy might involve learning relaxation techniques, or self-soothing techniques, so that you can calm yourself back down when you begin to make social contacts. It might also involve learning tricks for conversation -- like asking open ended questions, which will get someone else talking. (Trust me -- most people like to talk a lot more than they like to listen. One way to become very popular is to LISTEN to other people talk. And you don't have to worry about not having much to say, as long as you learn the art of saying, "Oh, really?" as though you mean it.)
Therapy might also explore your background, to try to uncover the roots of your SP, but that's not necessarily necessary, and a lot of the new therapy techniques are much more interested in solutions than in causes.
Good luck with it.
Posted by JaclinHyde on March 25, 2006, at 1:55:14
In reply to Stimulants for social phobia?????, posted by Tepiaca on March 23, 2006, at 17:36:57
My personal experience is that stimulants make a person who aleady is nervous more so. I was on ritalin while on Marplan (I had a very progressive doctor but a very scared pharmacist, lol!) and in that instance it did help. But only because the marplan was working. Then I became addicted to the Ritalin.....etc.
JH
Posted by zeugma on March 25, 2006, at 5:30:21
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » zeugma, posted by Tepiaca on March 24, 2006, at 18:46:22
what meds have been the best for your Social phobia zeug?
thanks >>
hi tepi
Clonazepam has been the only med that has really worked for my social phobia.
I don't want to dissuade you from therapy, but I had a terrible time with many forms of therapy, and it did a lot of damage and no benefit.
-z
Posted by SFY on March 25, 2006, at 11:24:37
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » Tepiaca, posted by zeugma on March 25, 2006, at 5:30:21
> I don't want to dissuade you from therapy, but I had a terrible time with many forms of therapy, and it did a lot of damage and no benefit.
>
> -z
>What forms of therapy did you have experience with? I've had positive experiences with CBT in the past. It's important that you get a therapist who actually follows the CBT framework. Many therapists claim to use CBT but may just include elements of it in their mishmash of techniques.
Posted by Racer on March 25, 2006, at 11:50:50
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » zeugma, posted by SFY on March 25, 2006, at 11:24:37
CBT is one option, although it's not for everyone. For some people, it can actually trigger some pretty unpleasant reactions. (I'm one of those people -- CBT triggers my AN behaviors pretty directly.)
Another example of mileage varying.
Posted by zeugma on March 25, 2006, at 13:33:18
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » zeugma, posted by SFY on March 25, 2006, at 11:24:37
What forms of therapy did you have experience with? I've had positive experiences with CBT in the past. It's important that you get a therapist who actually follows the CBT framework. Many therapists claim to use CBT but may just include elements of it in their mishmash of techniques.>>
It was hardcore CBT, one of the major institutes in my city.
It was an unmitigated disaster for me.
-z
Posted by john berk on March 25, 2006, at 15:17:49
In reply to Stimulants for social phobia?????, posted by Tepiaca on March 23, 2006, at 17:36:57
Hi Tepiaca,
one of the best things i have found to increase my desire to socialize is actually an amino acid,tyrosine, you can get it at any health food store. it raises dopamine and is slightly stimulating, it actually makes me want to talk more, although i am a fairly talkative person to begin with.
also, not a stimulant, but as far as benzo's , did you give klonopin enough time to help, it took me 2 weeks to feel an effect, but it is one of the most effective meds for social phobia available.
i wish you so much luck, i hope you can relax and enjoy life more, you deserve it....john
Posted by Tepiaca on March 26, 2006, at 21:27:19
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » Tepiaca, posted by john berk on March 25, 2006, at 15:17:49
>
> Hi Tepiaca,
> one of the best things i have found to increase my desire to socialize is actually an amino acid,tyrosine, you can get it at any health food store.very interesting . I could try it . Thanks !
it raises dopamine and is slightly stimulating, it actually makes me want to talk more, although i am a fairly talkative person to begin with.
> also, not a stimulant, but as far as benzo's , did you give klonopin enough time to help, it took me 2 weeks to feel an effect, but it is one of the most effective meds for social phobia available.Yeah I have been on Clonazepam more than 2 years . But its not as effective as I want
> i wish you so much luck, i hope you can relax and enjoy life more, you deserve it....john
thanks john !
Posted by Rocket Jackson on March 27, 2006, at 8:31:28
In reply to Stimulants for social phobia?????, posted by Tepiaca on March 23, 2006, at 17:36:57
I second the Klonopin/Provigil combo as a possibility you may want to consider. I've used this combo for nearly 3 years (up until my current trial with parnate began 12 days ago) on an "as needed" basis (usually 1-2x per week) and it was worked wonders for me. The Provigil does seem to add a bit of a "pro-social" benefit that I don't notice with Klonopin alone, which could either be directly from the Provigil or more from decreasing the sedation I experience from the Klonopin (since I only take it 2 times per week, it makes me pretty sleepy each time). The Provigil is definitely subtle but apparently is doing "something." :)
Best of luck in your search. I, too, have been frusrated in my med search... I'd love to take the Klonopin/Provigil on a daily basis but have found I lose the "bang" when I do this. For now, I'm hoping parnate will do the trick.
RJ
Posted by ed_uk on March 27, 2006, at 14:08:46
In reply to Re: Stimulants for social phobia????? » john berk, posted by Tepiaca on March 26, 2006, at 21:27:19
Dear Tepi,
I remember that you tried amisulpride (Solian) in the past. You said it caused akathisia (a type of restlessness) at high doses but not at low doses. Did you ever try a very low dose? In the treatment of anxiety and depression, the doses used are generally very low.
Ed
Posted by Tepiaca on March 29, 2006, at 23:39:31
In reply to Solian » Tepiaca, posted by ed_uk on March 27, 2006, at 14:08:46
> Dear Tepi,
>
> I remember that you tried amisulpride (Solian) in the past. You said it caused akathisia (a type of restlessness) at high doses but not at low doses. Did you ever try a very low dose? In the treatment of anxiety and depression, the doses used are generally very low.
>
> Ed
Yes Ed I remember I also tried a low dose. when I felt the akaticia I started to reduce the dose until a very small dose, Im not sure I gues I was on 50mg , but didn´t help meTepi
This is the end of the thread.
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