Social Phobia

Question: Social........phobia?????????? Ok,so here is my story... I've been in a long rush trough my life ,it all begun at the age of 14 when i had severe depression treated with antidepressants.I was very very anxious&stressed&co. later i became socialy isolated and very shy, i think it's because my dopamine was depleted in that strong depression (full 3 months of panic attacks + more) I had some other problems that induced my social phobia ,I had severe acne & scars wich made me impossible to talk/look/carry a conversation with people,i was extremly stressed 2 years like passing out every day with my mouth dry. However my acne was treated and i have no longer scars,the fact is that all my past friends are gone and I became isolated,there is one major problem in all this bullshit. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE EXTREME ANXIETY AT MEETINGS,after I meet someone that i know i can carry a conversation but I just cant meet that person so i just keep runing from them ,i can't look in their eyes i preffer ignoring my old friends...what's wrong with me ? i find it impossible to meet someone just like say ''HI,HOW ARE YOU'' im always feeling heartbeat and my blood running like a train when I see the person girl or boy.But if i can do a good salute everything goes well,it's just i fear to met them,what the heck is this ???? anyway it's very strange that im not anxious with unknown persons,just with girls when it comes to meet them.But i'm terrified of my old friends,maybe it's linked to my past or something?And even if I meet a new person and after some weeks I meet him again i'm terrified of the meeting (shaking hands,saying hello,etc) but as I told..im afraid of meetings. someone experienced this ? is it normal ?

Answer: View the information and weblinks for social anxiety/shyness, and self confidence, in sections 9, and 38, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Here is an exercise that can help you. It is called "Act as If." When you are in a social situation, act as if you are outgoing. Talk more, smile at everyone, ask questions, speak in a normal or excited tone, not a meek tone. Watch some of your outgoing peers, and imitate the style of their social behavior. Research shows that when you "act as if" continually, your image of yourself begins to conform to your new behavior. In this case, you will gain self-esteem and self-confidence, and begin to see yourself as socially normal, not shy. You will become more socially successful, and this will motivate you to continue your new social behavior until it becomes a habit. Try this for a month, in every situation you can. I am confident that you will become much more comfortable and outgoing. One form of therapy is to go somewhere that nobody knows you, and deliberately make an utter fool of yourself: put on a paper hat, and scream out: "I'm queen/king of America!", or something else ridiculous, then get back in the taxi, (warn the driver of your intentions, first) or car, and leave. People will point, and say: "Look at that idiot". But, you're probably not up to the stage where you can do that, yet (I can, and I used to be shy). It will teach you that, although it isn't actually pleasant, you will survive; be stronger for the experience, and the next time (should you need to repeat this type of therapy) will be considerably easier. Remember: "A fear avoided is a fear strengthened; a fear faced is a fear reduced." Regard it as your final test: once you have accomplished it, the barrier will be broken; just don't go too far, the other way! Learn to laugh at yourself, and give a big, cheesy grin when others see you do something foolish, as we all do, occasionally. It is endearing, if you don't do it too often. Use positive affirmations: for example: "I am very likable and other people feel comfortable around me". Write down all of your self limiting beliefs; then write down the positive counter of them, (exact opposite) and repeat them and imprint them into your mind. Most importantly: Force yourself to approach somebody and initiate some sort of communication. Start out small by asking the time and directions and gradually go bigger. Although there are anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) available, these come with risks, and the possibility of side effects, habituation, even addiction, and withdrawal problems, and are unsuitable for young people. Try having a cup of "Tension Tamer", herbal tea, by Celestial Seasonings, (from supermarket tea, or health food aisles) or make some at home, and cool, then bottle, and drink as needed (I find it so strong tasting, that I need to drink it quickly, followed by something like fruit juice, to take away the taste, but others may find it more tolerable). C(h)amomile tea is a more palatable option. As with all herbal/green teas, use lemon/lime, and/or a little sweetener (NOT ARTIFICIAL!!!) but no cream, or milk. Panic: see section 8. Anxiety: section 6: view page N first. Look people on the top of the bridge of the nose, instead of the eyes. You could try "shaping" to salute, but if civilians are involved, change it to scratching your forehead, as a substitute.

Question: What is the best medicine for social phobia? What is the best medicine for social phobia? SSRI, besides Paxil. And do any of them not make you tired?

Answer: medicinal alcohol will bring you right out of your shell~~

Question: What is the relationship between social phobia and depression? could it be that a long-term social phobia lead to depression?

Answer: Depressed people that I have met also seem to have a social phobia, too. Phobia, of course, means fear, a fear of meeting people. More normal to occur in adolescents who are unsure of themselves and have lacked, through no fault of their own, the basic ability to meet and talk along with people. It is unreasonable in the way it works, but it happens. On the other hand, depression was explained to me just yesterday in an article which stated that depression happens when people who should be happy with how they are in their lives are not that way. My wife used to be unhappy unless she had something to worry about. Not that that made her happy. It drove me nuts. She was nuts and I never knew it and when I did I could not get help for her because, by law, nobody could do anything for her unless she asked for it. Not me, her husband. She was off with the fairies. She died from it and there was not a thing I could do. Diagnosis; depression.

Question: How do I know if i have social phobia/social anxiety disorder? Ive always been really shy. I find it awkward to talk to others, especially when I don't know them very well. At school I NEVER talk. Even if someone trys to talk to me I usually just respond with one or two words. I find my face getting hot whenever I do talk like if its getting red. How do I know if I have social phobia or something similar?

Answer: I'm 26 years old and I still feel that way! The others are right, you're still very young and you may just grow out of it. I haven't been as fortunate and am now dealing with the same feelings at my job instead of high school. I hope you can overcome those feelings, maybe you should talk to a school counselor and see what he or she can recommend for you. Good luck!!!

Question: How would doctors treat ADHD, Cyclothymia, and Social phobia together in one patient? ADHD medications boost Norepinephrine and Dopamine. Social phobia medications (SSRIs) will make the cyclothymia worse. Cyclothymia medications are mood stabilizers. Some mood stabilizers are also Dopamine antagonists which should worsen the ADHD. Any idea what doctors would use for this situation?

Answer: Medication for mood stabilization only and therapy.

Question: What is the best book in the market that provides good advice about overcoming social phobia/anxiety? Looking for most popular book that works that provides step-by-step lessons. Also, if you overcomed social phobia, please provide some insights.

Answer: I liked Erika B.Hillard:Living fully with shyness and social anxiety, NY,2005 a lot: practical and informative. (Read the readers reviews on Amazon.com.)

Question: Where can I find behavioral therapy in central Ohio for social phobia? I have been searching for this for a long time now and haven't had any luck. Even information on a therapist with special training in social phobia/social anxiety would help a lot. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Answer: Check the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Find-a-Therapist service. You can limit your search to social skills or social anxiety.

Question: How can I get help in finding a job/getting money if I have severe Social Phobia/Anxiety? I have been diagnosed with severe social phobia and social anxiety. I have been off medication and therapy for about three months now, but it started getting worse right after it started getting better. Now I can't physically, emotionally, or mentally hold a full-time job, which is the amount of money I need to keep my apartment. Is there anything out there that will help me find a full-time job I can handle or at least get me some kind of disability money so that I could work part-time until I am able to work full-time?

Answer: Get a note from the doctor that says you are being treated for an illness and that you will be out of work for a period of time. Then call up TDI (temporary disability insurance) and file a claim.

Question: Is social Phobia very common these days? Anyone have some tips on how to get over this?? I have a moderate case of social phobia and would like some help with this. Any tips you can give me?

Answer: Social phobia is common as are many other phobias. The best way to conquer a phobia, is to take it a day at a time, & slowly face your phobias. Having a postive attitude helps also. May I suggest that you get out into the public more & more. Do this with friends, who will help you conquer this fear, if they're true friends. Times will come, when you should get out by yourself. It may be every uncomfy, but you can do it. There are lots of self help books to buy or borrow from the library. The internet may be able to help you choose which books are more helpful. Good luck to you!!!

Question: What is the best medication for Social phobia? I have had social phobia all my life and am thinking of going on Seroxat as my Dr recommended it but I was wondering if anyone had tried anything else that would be better? I have treid Diazepam and propanolol and they are fine but not great for social anxiety. Thanks

Answer: Paroxetine (Seroxat) has been studied the most in the treatment of Social Phobia. Other SSRI antidepressants can be effective too, such as fluoxetine and citalopram/escitalopram. It's possible that venlafaxine, an SNRI antidepressant could also be of some benefit. A less commonly used drug is the Reversible MAOI antidepressant, moclobemide. Diazepam will help any kind of acute anxiety, but is not specific to certain disorders such as Social Phobia. Propanolol is effective in treating the physical, as opposed to the psychic symptoms of this condition.