Social Anxiety - Operation to fix? - Mental Health Message Board

Cudlow · 05-12-2004, 10:42 AM

hi , well i will start off by saying a bit about me -

im 20 , and for the past 4 years (its got worse over time) i have become very nervous around people. I've read about social anxiety disorder and i have all the symptons, my biggest problem is blushing, walking down a busy street, see someone i know , i blush. talking to my boss at work...i blush. talking to someone in a quiet room where everyone else isnt talking..i blush. I can go shopping, pay for something , and start blushing because i am counting out the change for what i have bought! I could never work in a shop or anything, meeting all those people would be absolute murder for me. I see "slow" people working in shops ,and i think "why can they have enough confidence to do that" with me being so intelligent i just dont know whats happening. I want to change my job but am too afraid that in am interview i will be blushing , appear nervous then not get the job because of that.

anyway, back to my original thread title - i've read about an operation (which costs £3K) which makes it physically impossible for you to blush , at it stops the nerves to your face.

has anybody had this operation? im thinking it would change my life. If people expect me to blush , but i don;t blush i would feel so confident , has anybody had this opearation or know of any other ways to help me?

p.s - nobody knows the real me , my family dont know about this problem, neither does any of my friends or doctor.

also the symptons go away when im drunk , but i know this is not the answer.

crabbyroad · 05-15-2004, 07:30 AM

I have not heard of this type operation, and with the cost, not to mention it will only take away the blushing/flushing look, it will not take away the nervous feelings being in a social situation. I would take that money and invest in a good doctor that deals with anxiety disorders, works with cognitive and behavioral therapy to overcome the nervousness, and there are some medications that will help with the blushing/flushing, which hopefully you won't need to be on long term, after you overcome the social anxiety. Remember the operation will be a permanent thing, and to me, a bit extreme to invasive when dealing with nerves in your face.

Jenneh · 05-15-2004, 12:48 PM

yeah i'd agree with the previous poster...

to be honest, you should think about getting rid of the core of the problem, not just tryin to run away from it.
i have social anxiety, and i see someone to try and stop me feeling the way i do. i think you should maybe think about doing that first.

i hven't heard of that operation either, btw.

best wishes

Jen xxxx

nellweems · 05-26-2004, 02:17 PM

i have similar problem, i don't blush by my S.A.D problem is quite bad. i get nervous quickly, i get embarrassed very easily. it is really bad for me, i can go shopping and everything, but i have problems talking to people, i could never work in a store or anything like that.

actually i'm in a really bad position as the thought of any job (+ interview) makes me downright nervous (i'm not working atm).

i'm going to start group therapy soon, hopefully that helps me out. and i agree with previous posters, go use that money for help, not for an operation. i know what it's like, we just have to work through it.

cousin_ear · 05-10-2007, 03:36 PM

cudlow, do you know where you read about the operation at?? that would really help me cause i have the same exact problem!!