I am tortured with Social Phobia and do not know where to turn to get help.Can you help?

Question

I am already taking antidepressants but find that although I have tried several different ones nothing seems to be working. I am in my early 50's and also find that the older I get the deeper intrenched I become in fear of social settings. I have tried to explain the overwhelming panic that I experience if I have to interact with the public but it seems there is little understanding. Does anyone have any idea how I can counteract this Social Phobia?

Answer 1

I also have severe social anxiety. I no longer answer the front door, answer the phone without screening the calls, don't go out in public without my husband. It has gotten really bad. I even get nervous when my sister calls.

About 2 years ago, I was on Paxil and I became amazingly social. I had never before been able to look people in the eyes while talking too them. I would actually start conversations. I had to ask my Doc to lower my dose because I was a little too high. There was a very bad dark side to Paxil with me, and that is why I can no longer take it. I would go into deep suicidal depressions and endedup in the ER some. So, now I am on Effexor. Klonopin helps when have to go out somewhere, but it can make me sleepy.
Paxil was the best for me for social anxiety!
I do understand exactly how you feel, and I know how frustrating it is for people to tell you,"You just have low self-eteem" or something else when they don't kn ow the subject.

I started getting social anxiety about 7-10 years ago and it gets worse when I let myself stay inside. I know you can make it better also.
Some activities that really help me are taking my dogs to the park and walking them on the long trails. I also got a new motorcycle and a dark sreened helmet shield so it feels like I can zoom around town having fun and no one can see my face. I'm just the cool girl on the ninja who pops wheelies(sometimes crashes) and has a really fast bike. I am not worried about anyone judging me, because they can't see me. If I crash or fall,that's another story. My dogs are a big part of my life. I don't have anxiety when they are with me. Maybe because they are big labs and I feel protected; I don't know. Also, try not to let your self get as bad as I am. Try doing the little things, going shopping, etc.
If you can handle Paxil, that is the best, bt if you get depressed, get offit immediately. sorry my hand is falling asleep-spelling errors. I hope they come out with some new social anx meds soon. People who don't have it, don't undertand what it feels like. I hated reading one of those answers you got. It was so stupid. If people do not know about the subject, they should not answer the question. They are putting peoples lives in jeopardy. People like us who are on meds can get depressed easily so remember, there are some support groups on the web for us, I'm only a level 1 yahoo so I can't send you a message, but I just try to stay informed using more reliable sources when it comes to this. Take care.

Answer 2

Okay...But first you must understand that I am not a
licensed medical doctor of any kind. I am just a plain
person who has been around a lot, and seen way to
much in life.

I think you have a low opinion of yourself, and are
lacking much in the way of self confidence. So,
beyond the pills you are taking with no apparent
releif, I think you need to begin a formal written
recovery plan. You need to record your
accomplishments and be able to look back over them
from time to time. Doing so will reaffirm your shakey
belief that you want to do better, and demonstrate that
in fact you have done better.

Start with a Steno Pad kept in the kitchen with a ball
point pen shoved into the top for easy note taking.

List on the notepad every thing that you accomplished
today. Promise yourself that tomorrow you will do
an equal amount of things plus one more thing positive.
The next day promise yourself that you will do likewise
plus one more positive thing. Etc., etc. In time you will
have a long list of things that you have actually done.

So.....It can't be said that you never this- - - - -
or .....you never -- - - - - - - -- - - - that. People are
always saying that as if we were stuck in concerete
and unable to move. That is not true. We can do things
if we only take the time and effort to actually do them.

Having a bad day? Clean out the bathroom. Put in new
air freshener, along with clean towels and a nice wash
cloth. That is a positive step.

Someone was ill toward you today? Bake a tin of fresh
corn muffins and eat one or two with fresh butter while
they are hot. Boy, is that good? Smear some apricot
jelly with the butter on another one and try that.
Wow. Not bad, eh? You can do neat things - - if you
try.

Regards,
Zah

Answer 3

There are so many different kinds of medicines that can treat this it's not even funny. Have your doctor continue to look for medications that work. I don't know if you have ever tried Paxil CR, but it has worked the best for me out of regular Paxil, Zoloft, and Lexapro. Make sure you tell your doctor that you want something that targets panic disorders and social anxiety more than depression.

At the same time, medicine cannot fix everything. Get yourself to a counselor or therapist ASAP. He or she can help you through this.

I wish you the best of luck! I know what you're going through, but please know that things can and will turn out okay.

Answer 4

I have the same problem. I just try and talk to people I am comfortable with and plus if they are rude be polite back. Being kind back to someone who is rude, makes you look good and makes that person look bad. I am in my early 20s and dread social situations too! Hopefully, as I get older, my shyness will wear off, but just always be yourself is my advice though.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 5

I wish I could help you I seem to have that problem also, I even feel that way with not so close relatives, I just try to act like I feel OK and try to get away as soon as possible, I know it shows through though. Have you tried anti anxiety meds?

Answer 6

You need to find a psychiatrist who specializes in treating people with social phobia.