Social Anxiety Disorder?

Question

There is a woman who has very few friends; in fact, she has only one. She has never had much of social life...never could relate very easily to others. This only bothers her occassionally. She doesn't seek out friendships, but she doesn't shun them, either. She's fairly normal and converses fine with people, but she rarely comes across people who have the same interests, etc. that she does. Most of the time, it's other people who shun her.

Thus, she long ago gave up trying so hard to find or be friends, is most thankful for the one friend she does have, and is comfortable enough (usually) with who she is despite the fact that she is occassionally lonely.

One day, a doctor tells her she has Social Anxiety Disorder and suggests she seek counseling to determine why she can't make friends easily.

Does this seem like a fair diagnosis? Why? Should she really start taking pills and seeking therapy for being happy with herself and having people shun her?

Answer 1

Depends.

If she is locking herself up in her home, scared to even go do simple things like grocery shop, get gas in the car, or has this serious need to get home whenever out in public. Then she does have social anxiety disorder.

If she is just a person who is different, quarky, loner, likes odd things or doesn't fit into society due to her own choices and loves, then she is just a normal person who choose her own path. Some people are just wise enough after time to realize that for the most people are not good and the less you have around you the better off you can be at times, or at least have less problems and stress.

Answer 2

This girl sounds a lot like me. Personally, I've never really been a fan of taking pills that affect the way your brain works because I have a fear of pills messing up the way it functions. Counseling, however, i don't have a problem with. Also one of my friends told me that you don't have a disorder unless it is a real problem. For example if she is feeling extreme anxiety due to not having a lot of friends (hence social anxiety), then she should definitely go through with the treatment. But if she's happy the way she is then why seek change?

Answer 3

dude your on the same road as me :) Ive put up with it for all my life, i was pretty much born with it. Horrible feeling!! i can say social anxiety is the worse their is as social life is basically life isnt it lol ans its gotta be put to the max i got prescriptions, didnt really help me, helped me a bit but like.. .it was still their, the thing is it isnt really to do with mental health even your doctor may say otherwise, from my experience its just the way your life has been constucted or maybe you were just born with it. But i know the feeling, i can really understand. Sometimes, if the medicine doesnt work, then just say to yourself, "am i gonna let this stupid disorder control what and cannot do and experience" its just a deal with it thing :( :( sometimes it can be linked to the past! i have a friend who actually completely got rid of it. I would strongly recommend you get a prescription, and do as your doctor ses, as my social anxiety was very severe. Depending on yours, ask yourself "Is this affecting my life" "Am i coping" If you have a "no" then i would go and see the doctor, the pills can really settle it for a while. :) I learned to cope with it as i eventually found the pills didnt work and i completely just ignored it and concentrated on something else, its hard but you learn from experience, And yeh, if you want my opinion, the medicine just like helps you chill, it lasts quite a while and you can concentate on what people are saying, the medicine is a good start, and will help you as your talking to people and learning to cope while the disorder is knocked out. But its not a cure :( you have to learn, how did this start, why, and find out what is causing it and eventually you will naturally learn to tackle it. Life is short Dont let this stupid, pointless disorder bring your lifes potential down Best of luck ^_^

Answer 4

Does she feel nervous, uncomfortable around people, afraid to speak, feeling she will be put down? Anxiety I believe is number one of mental health diagnosis....and more often than not, runs in families. Only she knows if her anxiety is bothering her to the extent that she feels she would benefit by treatment. And if she does, there is no reason for embarrasment.....But, if she doesn't feel as if she has an abnormal amt. of anxiety,,,don't let a health professinal convince her that she does. One last thing,,,,some people don't even have one good friend...Be grateful for the one.

Answer 5

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 6

I think I have social anxiety disorder. In groups, especially parties, I get nervous uncontrolably and my teeth chatter sometimes. I would definately take medication for it if it would help. I would love to have more friends but I hide my personality most of the time because I'm nervous. Try what the doctor suggests. What have you got to lose?

Answer 7

Sounds like me! It's called Asperger Syndrome - a social disorder, in which many people don't have very many friends. Bill Gates is even thought to be Autistic. He rocks back and forth. Individuals find him eccentric and odd. Individuals seem to bully people with Asperger's. Although, many people with Asperger's don't have very many friends - it does not limit their intelligence. Their intelligence is very good. Above or average intelligence. Individuals with Asperger's have limited interests, in which can keep them from getting friends. For example: My interests include: Computers, Psychology, Mathematics, Spelling, and Writing. I haven't found many friends, in which also enjoy my friends. I only have two friends - and the rest of the majority, take advantage of me, from my good heart and so forth.

Check out the links below in the sources tab! I hope this helps fit your friend. It sounds EXACTLY like her to me!

Have her take the test below - which is the bottom or second link. If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail] or Instant Message me on Yahoo messenger on [e-mail]. Take care!

Michelle

Answer 8

you know that no one can diagnose something like this from just reading one post. and especially not strangers reading it. you will get all sorts of stupid advice here. if this is you, this has been me. don't judge what kind of treatment, if any you chose by reading any reply to your question. there is no set amount of friends a person should have. in fact, some of the loneliest people are the smiling ones surrounded by yes people, with whom they cannot tell their feeling to. and finally, there isn't a cure for everything or for everyone. sometimes broken people, stay broken. and sometimes, they help others because of their understanding. almost like it is their gift.

Answer 9

She should try psycho therapy for starters, prior to medication. She may find just talking about the subject with a nutreal person to be helpful.

Answer 10

She sounds like me in female form. She shouldn't take pills. I don't know what she should do, but know that other people feel the same way.