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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on June 25, 2002, at 15:21:59
I know many on here suffer from social phobia. I have a very nasty case of it, and because of so, lost all of my friends, a good job, and a girlfriend of two years.
I just wanted to get people's individual experience with what meds helped the most.(*Besides* the MAOI's..) I am not looking to turn into some 'party animal', but just want enough relief so that answering the telephone doesn't scare the living hell out of me.
Some people may be looking for a major reduction of inhibition. I just want enough so I can actually leave the house and speak to people.I was reading above about Bookgurl's experience with taking Zoloft every other day. I am tempted to try it...but Zoloft made my life very, very hell-ish at one point in time.
Any comments appreciated...and thank you kindly in advance.
Jay
Posted by janejj on June 25, 2002, at 15:54:04
In reply to Being anti-social and meds...and Zoloft?, posted by jay on June 25, 2002, at 15:21:59
Hi Jay,
Its hard to tell if its me getting better or the meds, but since I have been taking Prozac I definately feel less anxiety in social situations. At the height of my depression I couldn't leave the house or pick up the telephone. Now i'm pefectly happy to do either, although sometimes I do feel twinges of anxiety!
I wouldn't say that I've become sociable beyond all recognition, just more comfortable in my surroundings and with people. Its a subtle change and a change that is slowly rebuilding my confidence and self esteem. Changing my thought processes for the better !I know that some people find Prozac too activating, but I believe that it is that quality that helped me overcome some of my social anxiety. It gave me that extra push I needed.
Have you tried any of the ssri's apart from Zoloft ? I was pretty desperate for some kind of relief and Prozac definately helped me in the area you're concerned about.
Janejj
Posted by BK on June 25, 2002, at 19:17:19
In reply to Being anti-social and meds...and Zoloft?, posted by jay on June 25, 2002, at 15:21:59
Jay,
I'm not really sure of your past drug experiences, but Nardil really worked amazingly to ease my social anxieties ( I did eventually experience poop-out). Perhaps you should consider it. The dietary restrictions are significant, but manageable. Good luck!
Posted by JohnX2 on June 25, 2002, at 19:26:26
In reply to Being anti-social and meds...and Zoloft?, posted by jay on June 25, 2002, at 15:21:59
In the psychiatric world there is quite a
different meaning to "anti-social" behavior
(it doesn't mean one is a hermit, etc).http://www.accg.net/antisocial.htm
Posted by krazy kat on June 25, 2002, at 19:50:22
In reply to Re: fyi meaning of anti-social » jay, posted by JohnX2 on June 25, 2002, at 19:26:26
but i also understand the need for help in social situations.
is there a field you can work in, jay, that you would enjoy, that wouldn't be people-oriented? i am not a people person, and after years of feeling bad about it, i realize that's how i am, even with meds.
BUT, when a disorder interferes with personal relationships, one must search for a "cure".
If i weren't bipolar, and therefore sent into a manic episode by it, my favorite AD has been Prozac. It helped with the fear factors and my "unpleasantness". :)
- kk
Posted by jay on June 27, 2002, at 3:02:42
In reply to Re: Being anti-social and meds...and Zoloft? » jay, posted by janejj on June 25, 2002, at 15:54:04
Hi Jane...thanx for the message. I have tried Prozac, sometimes with good results, but the problem is, it causes both horrible headaches as well as cold/flu-like symptoms in me...even at very low doses. If I get desperate enough, I *may* try liquid Prozac, to try and squeeze in 1-2 mg's and if I can tolerate it.
Thanks again..
Jay
> Hi Jay,
>
> Its hard to tell if its me getting better or the meds, but since I have been taking Prozac I definately feel less anxiety in social situations. At the height of my depression I couldn't leave the house or pick up the telephone. Now i'm pefectly happy to do either, although sometimes I do feel twinges of anxiety!
> I wouldn't say that I've become sociable beyond all recognition, just more comfortable in my surroundings and with people. Its a subtle change and a change that is slowly rebuilding my confidence and self esteem. Changing my thought processes for the better !
>
> I know that some people find Prozac too activating, but I believe that it is that quality that helped me overcome some of my social anxiety. It gave me that extra push I needed.
>
> Have you tried any of the ssri's apart from Zoloft ? I was pretty desperate for some kind of relief and Prozac definately helped me in the area you're concerned about.
>
> Janejj
Posted by jay on June 27, 2002, at 3:08:53
In reply to Re: Being anti-social and meds...and Zoloft?, posted by BK on June 25, 2002, at 19:17:19
> Jay,
>
> I'm not really sure of your past drug experiences, but Nardil really worked amazingly to ease my social anxieties ( I did eventually experience poop-out). Perhaps you should consider it. The dietary restrictions are significant, but manageable. Good luck!Hi..thanks so much for the post. My problem with MAOI's is I *know* I couldn't handle the diet. First being, I love cheese..so much that it is one of my 2 or 3 food groups. :-) I mean, I really *pig out* on it, as well as a number of the other items on the menu. I know...choosing between depression and cheese...heh...but I just can't restrict myself, plus I have already asked a few doctors and pdocs for a shot years ago, and all said they never prescribe them.
I did try moclobemide, and it just made me feel irritable and miserable. Sorry to be such a bummer...an 'eternal fatalist'...heh.
Take care...
Jay
Posted by jay on June 27, 2002, at 3:21:27
In reply to Re: fyi meaning of anti-social » jay, posted by JohnX2 on June 25, 2002, at 19:26:26
>
> In the psychiatric world there is quite a
> different meaning to "anti-social" behavior
> (it doesn't mean one is a hermit, etc).
>
> http://www.accg.net/antisocial.htmYep, I know the DSM-IV definition, but I was including the multitude of other definitions and examples. There are a ton of labels...social avoidance..social phobia..and many cross similar paths. Besides, I have little use (and see little value) in getting a particular diagnosis, and think treating particular symptoms can make our lives that much more enjoyable. I guess that is why a person with "Major Depression" can respond well to a drug for schizophrenia (like Zyprexa).
Anyhow..I am rambling on too much here...thanks for the post.
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by jay on June 27, 2002, at 3:43:47
In reply to boy, i like john's post..., posted by krazy kat on June 25, 2002, at 19:50:22
> but i also understand the need for help in social situations.
>
> is there a field you can work in, jay, that you would enjoy, that wouldn't be people-oriented? i am not a people person, and after years of feeling bad about it, i realize that's how i am, even with meds.
>
> BUT, when a disorder interferes with personal relationships, one must search for a "cure".
>
> If i weren't bipolar, and therefore sent into a manic episode by it, my favorite AD has been Prozac. It helped with the fear factors and my "unpleasantness". :)
>
> - kkKat,
Well, my forte is working with people...social work actually. Geezz...didn't I pick a great career?..lol. I am *not* a technical person, and have no use for working with widgets and numbers. So, I must work and find the chemicals to whack my poor brain into shape.
You know...I am not trying to be egotistical...(ego always gets in the way.."..let go my ego.."..heh)..but I am a really nice guy, and much of my anxiety and depression has been based around the fact that I am too thin skinned. I can work excellent with people (maybe not everyone..but..), have a very gentle and warm personality. When I say something, it comes out as deeply sincere, and I am happy I am this way. The problem is, I don't know how to deal with aggressive people and conflict.(Heck...I am Canadian...what do ya expect??..lol!)
So, it seems tweaking some of the chemicals upstairs allows me to deal with aggression in others better. I am gonna add some Zoloft to the mix, maybe go with 'every other day', since I can't tolerate it every day.
Sorry for the rambling...I will go back to being my anti-social self..or whatever DSM-IV category John wants to put me in..;-) (Yes..I know...call me smart-ass..there...there is some anti-social behaviour...lol!)
Jay
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