I suffer from social phobia/ anxiety. I dread leaving my house and even ordanrily mixing with people is stressful
I was formerly on zoloft and lagactl but I feel very insecure after taking lagactl so I’m off it.
I still feel I need extra to the zoloft( actually sertraline which is the generic name)
If you know of any superb treatments, pls let me have them , whether medication or therapy. I prefer medication though!
Aristotlelus,
I can relate to how you feel. I used to suffer from anxiety/agoraphobia.
I was thinking too much. I had anxiety attacks when I had to speak in public. Or when there would be more than a few people around me in the same room. It was something that started when I was a teenager and that lasted over years and subsequently affected my career until not so long ago. Looking back, I feel I should have taken action way earlier. But anyway, that’s the past.
At some point, I was prescribed medicine but I wanted to avoid that because of the side effects (just my point of view but you should think about it). That’s when I discovered a program that cured me. It is a 100% natural method. You can find it here:
http://www.stop-your-anxiety-now.com
The key of that technique is that you should no longer fear the thought of anxiety. You know what I mean? You are thinking too much. You have to get out of that loop.
Tackle the issue ASAP. You can get rid of it – others have, I have.
Good luck!
best treatment for anxiety is indulge yourseld in sex.
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It is not wise to prefer medication trust me.It does more harm then good and it basically makes you a drug addict.
Use high quality chocolate instead.Very effective.
Cocoa rich chocolate.Cocoa contains natural substances that reduce stress and pain and create a feeling of pleasure in your brain and increase your brain activity.How long effects last depends on how much you consume.Only a few pieces of high cocoa chocolate reduces your pain,anxiety or stress for most if not all day.Lindt exellence is my recomendation.The best chocolate you can buy and affordable to most people.You can find it in any store with large selection of items.The applications of cocoa are very wide ranging from consuming it before a dentist appointment to reduce pain and fear from the drill.It is very effective.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/take-weight/2008/Nov/07/seven-anxiety-fighting-foods/
With the help of it you will conquer your fear of inadequacy or social anxiety and you will need less and less of it.
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I have severe anxiety as well. I am currently on prescription meds. First, I tried xantax but it didn’t work at all. Second, I tried hydroxyzine. But I needed something stronger. Then my psychiatrist put me on diphenhydramine. But after several months I need something even stronger. So now I am on a med called clonazepam. You can ask your doctor about any of these meds. In my opinion you should request vilumes (not spelled right) those work very well. You should try them. Good Luck!
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HI , u need 2 change ur lifestyle, medicine alone won`t help u , try to get indulge in social activities , allopathic medicines don`t work well in anxieties try some homeopathic med.
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try cbt therapy before taking meds just a suggestion.
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I have the same thing and the only thing that has worked is klonapin.
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Liquid Valerian Root.
http://anx.8v.com
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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. (I PRETEND that I’m an ACTOR, PLAYING a PART).
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 yell out: "I’m queen/king of America!", or something else ridiculous, (make up your own – have some fun, safely) 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 may not be up to the stage where you can do that, yet (I can, and I used to be shy). Or, preferably in the company of a friend, or family member, on a different train, or bus route to your regular one, call out the names, or numbers of all the stops. It will teach you that, although it isn’t actually pleasant, (EXPECT MODERATE DISCOMFORT) 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. Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles).
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Valerian has also been recommended, but some people experience "valerian hangovers". Ensure you know how you react to it, before doing something potentially dangerous, like going out on the roads. The idea is to use the above like water wings, to provide initial, short term support, while you become proficient in those techniques. 40% of people are fairly suggestible. http://www.hypnosisdownloads/ has many: SEARCHBAR – "social anxiety", or http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/ Social Anxiety CD – MP3 & Overcoming Shyness CD – MP3. At http://www.amazon.com/ enter "social anxiety; CD, VHS, & books" – do the same with shyness.
Try Paxil. I took Paxil for a bit. Although it didn’t work for me as far as social anxiety, I do know people who do have really good results taking this med.
It’s worth a shot. Meds do & don’t work for each person according to your body chemistry.
I know how you’re feeling .. it’s pretty rough, so don’t stop trying.
I wish you the best .. take care.
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While medication may be a temporary solution, therapy is probably the best way to go if you want to help yourself completely. And with any anxiety disorder, desensitization is the best way to go. It won’t be easy, but if you want to get better, you must be willing to put forth the effort.
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Past experience.
I also have had my experience with social anxiety. I only took paxil and prozac and that was within a span of six months. So I won’t recommend any meds.
the only practical advice I can give you is take it ALLLLLL in. the less concentration you put into your fear and looking for "safe zones" like the inconspicuous corner of the room or the furthest seat on a train and MORE concentration on taking the entire scenario in you begin to remember (don’t know how long you’ve dealt with this) what it was like to just walk around owning your own space.
this is what works for me. I shut down all the self talk, even the temptation to have sort of casual thought wandering. In my experience this has been sort of like leaving the "back door" open for worry. One thing that super helps if you are standing in one place (like say the grocery line) take in all the colors surrounding you. sounds stupid I know but it makes everything more lively and makes reality more your focus than yourself.
it can be overwhelming (don’t know what you’re symptoms are I used to get hot flushes through-out my face) but just endure it as best as you can without worrying about how it’s making you feel, physically. if I’m walking on a crowded sidewalk I focus on my walk, not myself. Oh, it really helps to walk standing up straight. shoulders back, you know. I don’t know if it’s physiological or psychological or both, it just does for me. Plus, people look at you differently (i know you don’t want all eyes on you, but it’s actually a good response I get) and it gets you in the ‘I belong here’ mode. its really cool.
Um………it’s really about learning to be "vulnerable". (again, don’t know how long you’ve been going through this). if you can remember the time when you didn’t have to worry about being in a crowded room full of people you would remember that you were never really thinking about it in the first place. you were just BEING. it wasn’t a seemingly vulnerable situation. You were not expecting to be anxious. Go back to that. of course it’s different now, because it doesn’t come natural anymore.if you remind yourself of anything let it be this, you will have to allow yourself to be vulnerable in order to realize and understand it was never really a vulnerable situation at all.
This is when you get that rest, that peace, back.
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Aristotlelus,
I can relate to how you feel. I used to suffer from anxiety/agoraphobia.
I was thinking too much. I had anxiety attacks when I had to speak in public. Or when there would be more than a few people around me in the same room. It was something that started when I was a teenager and that lasted over years and subsequently affected my career until not so long ago. Looking back, I feel I should have taken action way earlier. But anyway, that’s the past.
At some point, I was prescribed medicine but I wanted to avoid that because of the side effects (just my point of view but you should think about it). That’s when I discovered a program that cured me. It is a 100% natural method. You can find it here:
http://www.stop-your-anxiety-now.com
The key of that technique is that you should no longer fear the thought of anxiety. You know what I mean? You are thinking too much. You have to get out of that loop.
Tackle the issue ASAP. You can get rid of it – others have, I have.
Good luck!
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honestly there is no quick fix..
u have to start being honest with yourself..
and more gentle with yourself..
tell yourself that its a hard thing for you.. but that ure trying equally as hard to make progress in the other directions..
there will be some failures along the way.. i can assure you
but just embrace them, and keep growing.. keep learning as a person
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I have to concur with the above post. The technique exposed on that site – http://www.stop-your-anxiety-now.com – saved me. You definitely should try it without waiting (if it does not work, ask your money back). The sooner the better and getting your "freedom" back is worthless! wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
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