Posted by jane d on March 20, 2002, at 23:26:58
In reply to Re: reluctant to call PDOC, posted by KB on March 19, 2002, at 8:25:07
KB - I have the same problem. I've gotten better about calling the doctor after several years but it can take several days to work up to it. I also have trouble calling other people with requests for myself but I can usually make calls for work. I've wondered why this is. One thing that rings a bell with me is the descriptions of social phobia that talk about a fear of authority figures. Who's more of an authority figure than a doctor, especially a psychiatrist? When working you have the authority that comes with the job. And it's sort of like reading a script. I remember that when I started working those calls were much harder for me to make. Do you think it might be easier to call the doctor from work?
I haven't found a solution to this yet. I just plan to call enough days in advance that I can afford to spend several days practicing what I am going to say and getting up my courage. And feeling embarrassed the entire time. I've also noticed that the fear of calling increases with more depression and decreases when antidepressants start to work.
Jane
There's more about social anxiety at about.com. http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/socialbasics/
These are two of the articles I found thru that site that sounded a bit familiar to me. Not all of it's a good match but then these diagnoses rarely are.
poster:jane d
thread:20131
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020320/msgs/20472.html