Posted by anita on August 6, 2000, at 10:42:58
In reply to Re: Social anxiety vs. Avoidant personality disorder, posted by AndrewB on August 5, 2000, at 10:17:37
Hi,
Cindy, we seem to have similar problems. I avoid almost all parties just because of the "small talk" problem!
Andrew, I haven't been on any new dopaminergic meds lately, but those are the only meds that do alleviate the social phobia. I'm doing ok on Zoloft & Lamictal, and not in any rush to start fooling around with new meds yet, as I recently had a 3-month-long depressive episode in which I slept more than I thought any human was capable of! But next on my list will be Edronax, then Mirapex. What's your regimen now?
The Spectrum of Chronic Depressions sounds like a good book -- I'll see if my library has it.My therapist did mention that PTSD is characterized by periods of extreme anxiety and periods of apathy/dullness and detachment. Wonder if there is a Social Chronic PTSD?
anita
> Anita,
>
> I used to get the numbness and boredom without the anxiety. I guess it is a kind of emotional detachment from continual anxiety.
>
> I saw a study that said social detachment was associated with dopaminergic malfunction. I've also read studies that indicate both social anxiety and extroversion have dopaminergic involvement.
>
> Do dopaminergics still make you irritable after awhile. Did you ever find out why. How are you? How are your medications?
>
> By the way, Avoidant Personality Disorder is described by some as a more extreme version of social anxiety, where the phobia is so strong the individual may even bunker down in their house.
>
> Social anxiety with dysthymics was described in one book as being different in flavor form typical social phobia. While the dysthymic 'patients do fear situations in which they may be exposed to the scrutiny of others'....'they would prefer to stay home not because of social phobia but because of the lack of pleasure on enjoying contact with others, strangers and intimate people equally.’ (From 'The Spectrum of Chronic Depressions')
>
> AndrewB
poster:anita
thread:42160
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/42287.html