Social Anxiety - Mental Health Message Board

gladmorg · 10-23-2003, 09:47 PM

This social anxiety is getting the best of me. I have gone to a therapist and tried paxil. Was afraid of the side effects just from reading about them. When I tried them, I had little or none until my dosage was increased. I stopped taking it rightaway.

It not easy living this way. I've just about cut all ties to everyone except my immediate family. No holiday socials. Stopped going to church, drag myself to work. I have a degree. I have skills, but don't know how to use them. Very creative with computer graphics and writing, but don't know how to be assertive. So I continue to push myself to work at a job that I don't like. People who not on my academic level. So, now what do I do?

I really get upset when I see all of the cures on the net for social anxiety. They say just send $300.00, 400.00 and get this tape. I don't trust them, but what does work?

10-24-2003, 09:37 AM

You are still in therapy? If not, I think that's where you need to be. If you didn't like your current therapist, check around and find one you are comfortable with.

I do not have SAD, but I do have GAD and it has really affected my relationships with people. I have next to no friends anymore besides aquaintances at work and my husband. I get frustrated with people VERY easily and angry because I don't feel like they meet my standards. Therapy can help you get over that idea and give you ways to cope and allow you to involve yourself more with others again. If the increased dose of Paxil didn't agree with you, you need to let your doctor know or go back down to the lower dose. Or get on a whole new drug altogether.

I wish you luck... I hope you can find a combo of drugs and therapy that will help you feel better.

zeppelinhead86 · 10-27-2003, 07:24 PM

I know how you feel. I've had social anxiety disorder for about five years now, and I'm only 17. Did you notice symptoms when you were young? Because when I was younger I was really painfully shy and I was often afraid to associate with people my age, as I sometimes am today. I've been on Paxil for four years, and it has worked, only my depression is basically still here on and off. Anyway, I know how horrible it is, it's like SAD drains you of all motivation. Have you researched other medications that can help you? I've tried Prozac before but that didn't help. I wish you the best of luck, and you're not alone.

Samantha0783 · 10-28-2003, 08:43 AM

I think I may have SAD, but really don't know how to go about finding out. Or the amount of money it would take to do that, seeing as I don't know how much my insurance will cover. But this is really affecting my life as well, I don't do so much or if I do something then I am worried about it quite a ways in advance and a mess when I'm there or whatever.

And gladmorg I would check with a doctor or someone before ordering anything. If you are going to spend the money you might as well make sure its safe and stuff.

[This message has been edited by Samantha0783 (edited 10-28-2003).]

LoveAllAlways · 11-04-2003, 04:54 PM

I understand how you feel. Dont see a shrink because you dont need one. People do not understand what severe anxiety means. Don't take crap like paxil and buspar because they are worthless waste of your money. Tell your doc you need something like xanaz. I was taking xanax for a while and had no anxiety whatsoever and no panic attacks, but docs are incompetent it seems like so now my doc took me off them. I now feel exactly as you do. Benzos may be addictive if you let them be, but if you want a life and if you suffer from anxiety its the only thing that works.