How do I go about getting help for Social ANxiety Disorder?

Question

I never knew there was a name for my chronic shyness until Thursday this week. I have suffered all of my life (I'm 26) because of this. I have taken Lebowitz test my score was 105 which is severe Social anxiety. I am not able to get a job or go to school. I can't make my daughter's doctors appt., my sisters make most of my important phone calls, I experience the worst anxiety when meeting new people or ordering at restaurants. In high school my gpa suffered because I skipped class or found ways to be absent. My husband is a public speaker and I try to find ways to not attend his events. I hate to answer our phone. He doesn't understand whats wrong with me but he loves me anyway. I NEED help! I know I need to make an appointment with the doctor, but how do I get the nerve? Am I eligible for SSI? My husband is pressuring me to get a job and I cant stomach the thought. I had to quit my last job as the pressure of interacting stressed me out. Depressed:( Please help! I'm at wit's end:(

think it would be wise for me to seek a way to add to my family's income. I am not an unfit parent in the least. To say so is very insensitive on your part. I have a very dedicated husband and my child is very well taken care of. there is no reason why i should not seek benefits if the government is willing to help while I seek the help I need.

Thanks for your reply.

fYI: The SSI is to help me and my family UNTIL I complete treatment.

The detail I've added above was to a yahoouser who answered this same question that I've also posted to the psychology section. I just thought I'd put my response here in case another user wondered the same thing.

Answer 1

Hi hon...

i found a couple of links below, and you can find more information about social anxiety by doing a yahoo search.

therapy and medical help is always recommended for social anxiety disorder... and i hope you will consider it.

depression goes hand-in-hand with anxiety, so you are not alone... i know what you're going through...

as far as social security disability goes, you have to be under a doctor's care. social security reviews your medical case, and makes a decision based on questions and answers from you, someone you know and your medical history. they have their own medical team in the decision making process.

i'm sorry you are at wit's end and i hope that you can find the resources for help. i'm happy to hear your husband loves you and that you have your sisters for support.. that is a BIG plus in your life right now.

take care of you -- hugs

Answer 2

I've been diagnosed with Social Anxiety back in Jan. of this year..I cannot deal with crowds either..just yesterday, waiting for my ride, I sat in the lobby, watching my neighbors socialize in the common room made me sick..they're mostly gossippers and older people..I've avoided playing bingo there..I do no longer feel lonely, most of the times I didn't want to be seen around people and wanting to be by myself. May I suggest you to see your regular doctor and talk to them about your troubles and see if they can help you, with medication or what other options they have for you.. Hope things get better for you soon..

Answer 3

Anxiety is the expression of pain by the psyche.
Just like our body expresses pain when it is injured, the pain of our psyche is expressed by Anxiety.
So in case of anxiety of recent origin it is better you immediately relax yourself by maintaining calmness.
Then think calmly of the situation that has created this anxiety in you and slowly try to face the same again by slow and steady exposure to the same trauma / situation again and again in a steadily increasing fashion until you get rid of the Anxiety.
It is not recommended to keep the anxiety states for prolonged periods as at that time it may be difficult to identify and eliminate the cause which should have gone deep into subconscious states. Such anxiety states are invariably associated with depression. for which more specialist treatment is required.
Please consult your psychiatrist for further treatment.

Answer 4

Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety / Panic Attacks / Stress / Depression(Bereavment) / Mood Swings (Totally safe, without any side effects or complications of any sort) :-

ANXIETY / PANIC ATTACKS & STRESS :-

Sudden with restlessness and fear of death, Panic Attacks, Aconite 30X or 200X,1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Prolonged with periodic and panic attacks Arsenic Alb.200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

With fainting spells; profuse sweating; worse in the morning Sulphur 30X or 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Makes patient walk fast; due to anticipation Argentum Nit 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Worse lying in bed and closing the eyes Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (6 Doses)

Anxiety aggravated by upward or downward motion; going in an elevator; worse till 11 P.M, Borax 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxious about business even when seriously ill Bryonia Alba 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Full of apprehensions in the evening Causticum 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety and fears in the evening with restlessness and palpitation Calcarea Carb.200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety worse while lying still. Sad music ameliorates the complaints Manganum Acet 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety due to fright, fear,exciting news; stage fright; worse while appearing for examination or interview etc Gelsemium 30X or 200X 3 hourly (6 Doses)

Mood Swings, Anxiety due to grief or shock in the subconscious mind Ignatia 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety; better after eating Anacardium Or 30X, 4 hourly.

DEPRESSION & GRIEF(Bereavement) :-

Severe shock due to sudden death of loved ones; restlessness, anxiety and fear Aconite 200X. 10 min (3 Doses)

Prolonged mournings; cannot overcome the loss of loved ones and/or Mood Swings. Ignatia 1M or 10M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

When the grief is in the conscious mind; patient weeps; does not like sympathy Natrum Mur.200X or 1M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

For chronic grief and indignation Staphysagria 200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

Depression with suicidal thoughts feeling of worthlessness, Aurum Met 30X, three times a day half hour before meals.


Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine (Cures Par Excellence)

Take Care and God Bless you.