Posted by yznhymer on September 15, 2004, at 17:52:01
In reply to Re: AntiPsychotic for Social Anxiety?, posted by woolav on September 14, 2004, at 13:12:51
> Hi, I wont be of much help, but hopefully someone else will respond too. But, I have social phobia too and I have come to the conclusion that nothing really works for that. I went to my pdoc yesterday and told her my depression is better (due to prozac) and my mood has evened out (due to lamictal) but the I still have the social phobia. I take 2mg of xanax daily and have for years, all as it does is prevent panic attacks. She only suggested changing from xanax to klonopin. So, I am now thinking of seeing a therapist also and getting some CBT and seeing if that helps...
> Good Luck
> SHi S...
I'd say absolutely positively look into CBT. It is a therapeutic appoach that is ideally suited to dealing with social phobia. Some years ago I took a 15 week social anxiety workshop that was part education, part group therapy, and part homework... all based on the cognitive behavioral model. It was conducted by a clinical social worker. I found it very helpful personally and witnessed some significant tansformations among other group members. I learned and practiced strategies that I still use to this day. I think the group setting was particularly useful for dealing with social anxiety because we were able to employ strategies and practice new behaviors with each other before we went out and used them in public. You might look into some the well-regarded self-help books that use CBT. They can give you a headstart on undestanding how CBT works and what some of the strategies for dealing with social anxiety are.
In addition, my son has OCD. Because meds alone were not sufficient, we took him for some special counseling to help with the obsessing behavior that was ruining his life. The therapy and the strategies he learned to use were enough, combined with the meds, to control his problem.
Best of luck,
Mark
poster:yznhymer
thread:390628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040915/msgs/391186.html