Posted by JahL on November 12, 2001, at 19:31:34
In reply to Talking(in front of people), posted by tensor on November 12, 2001, at 17:13:50
> Does anyone have problems with talking in front of people and talking person to person? I'm not talking about the common fear that nearly everybody possess. I have Panic disorder and get treatment for that, Buspar 20mg/day and it helps my anxiety/PD pretty well but the talking problem remains unsolved. This problem arised concurrently with the PD. This is a big problem for me since i'm studying, and to do a presentation is impossible since I completely panic. I have diazepam prescribed for me, but even diazepam falls short when it comes to presentation.
> This problem is, for me, a bit strange since i'm a rather social person. I don't know what to do, does anyone recognize this?
> I would really appreciate someone to share experiences with...Sounds like Performance Anxiety, a kind of limited form of Social Phobia (which I have), which itself can take many forms.
Does this sound like you?:
""Some anxiety in social situations is normal, but persons with social phobia are so anxious that they avoid social situations in which it occurs or endure them with great distress. Almost always, they are aware of their anxiety about embarrassment or humiliation if their social interaction or performance does not meet their expectations.
Some social phobias are specific, producing anxiety only when the person must perform an activity in public. The same activity performed alone produces no anxiety. Situations in which social phobia is common include public speaking, acting in a theatrical performance, and playing a musical instrument. Even eating with others, signing one's name before witnesses, or using public bathrooms can be viewed as a public performance. Persons with social phobia worry that their performance will seem excessive or inadequate. Often their concern is that their anxiety will be apparent as sweating, blushing, vomiting, or trembling (sometimes as a quavering voice) or that they will forget their train of thought or not be able to find"" (from: http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section15/chapter187/187c.htm -MERCK MAN.)
I think standard treatment is similar to 'full' social phobia. Meds to consider would be Nardil, SSRIs etc. Perhaps Klonopin is worthy of consideration since yr condition is fairly specific. I take it in combination w/ Lamictal. Sulpiride is the med I find to be of most use against s. phobia; a high-ranking pdoc recently told me that Sulpiride & Amisulpride were 2 of the best treatments they had for this.
Good Luck,
J.
poster:JahL
thread:83989
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/84015.html