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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lifelover on January 5, 2011, at 21:07:00
Ive noticed that pretty much all the psych meds developed are for depression ,anxiety, bi polar , skitzo but I havent seen any developed specifically for social anxiety. Are there any meds developed or being developed stricktly for social anxiety? Social anxiety is one of the most dehabilitating illness and and people suffer emensly from it. I feel the medical field needs to put more time into researching it and developing medication specifically for it. They have already done a good job with depression meds, they need to do more for people who suffer from social anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2011, at 22:00:23
In reply to Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 5, 2011, at 21:07:00
I agree if only. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 6, 2011, at 11:40:54
In reply to Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 5, 2011, at 21:07:00
I think it'd be hard to create meds specifically for social phobia b/c its kind of a complicated disorder, and no one seems to fully understand the biological underpinnings of the problem.
There are, luckily, a number of treatments that work. MAOIs, some SSRIs, benzos, etc. have been shown helpful in both social phobia and other psychiatric problems (social phobia often occurs with other problems).
I have social phobia, too, so I understand your frustration. The disorder can be utterly devastating. For me, treating my bipolar disorder and taking loads of supplements and doing talk therapy has proven helpful. I hope you find something that works for you, too.
Good luck
Posted by sigismund on January 6, 2011, at 13:20:24
In reply to Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 5, 2011, at 21:07:00
Do you think they would immediately become drugs of abuse (as the saying goes)?
Posted by lifelover on January 6, 2011, at 18:33:22
In reply to Re: Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by sigismund on January 6, 2011, at 13:20:24
I dont know if they would have abuse potential. I do know that benzos definitly arent the answer to curing social anxiety. I believe that there are more neurotransmiters involved then stricktly gaba. Nardil is a drug that raises levels of gaba,dopamine,seratonin, and noroadrenaline(i think thats what its called,correct me if im wrong) and it has worked very well for me, as well as others.
I believe that they should research mdma(ecstacy) and how it affects the brain. The drug increases empathy which i believe is the one of the keys to overcoming social anxiety. I am hopefull that in the not so distant future we will finally find a cure for this illness.
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 6, 2011, at 20:16:26
In reply to Re: Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 6, 2011, at 18:33:22
Have you tried group therapy? That can be very helpful with social anxiety.
Posted by morgan miller on January 6, 2011, at 21:28:07
In reply to Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 5, 2011, at 21:07:00
>I feel the medical field needs to put more time into researching it and developing medication specifically for it.
I feel the same way about bipolar.
The thing is, people with social anxiety often have underlying depression, so it would make sense to treat social anxiety with an antidepressant that works very well to alleviate social anxiety.
Posted by morgan miller on January 6, 2011, at 21:35:56
In reply to Re: Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 6, 2011, at 18:33:22
>I believe that they should research mdma(ecstacy) and how it affects the brain. The drug increases empathy which i believe is the one of the keys to overcoming social anxiety. I am hopefull that in the not so distant future we will finally find a cure for this illness.
The best approach is combining medication(I believe SSRIs to be some of the best long term treatments) with individual and, most importantly, group psychodynamic therapy. You're going to have to do a ton of hard work, there is no magic bullet overnight cure. I don't think MDMA is the answer. I also don't believe social anxiety is mostly genetic. More likely social anxiety develops due to a combination of a genetic predisposition and lack of proper nurture during childhood and adolescence. So, lots of hard work in therapy and a good medication fit. This is the cure you are looking for.
Posted by morgan miller on January 6, 2011, at 21:37:29
In reply to Re: Medication stricktly for social anxiety » lifelover, posted by emmanuel98 on January 6, 2011, at 20:16:26
> Have you tried group therapy? That can be very helpful with social anxiety.
VERY helpful. If you don't challenge yourself and work things through, you will never overcome anxieties. Group therapy is THE BEST way to achieve this.
Posted by sigismund on January 7, 2011, at 1:55:23
In reply to Re: Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 6, 2011, at 18:33:22
Yeah, I agree about benzos.
Almost worse than useless.
Posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 17:03:08
In reply to Medication stricktly for social anxiety, posted by lifelover on January 5, 2011, at 21:07:00
Medication: a crude approach, perhaps, but stimulant with low dose opiate or opoid. Yes, addictive. I'm not teccommending it. Works when tons of ad's did not. I haven't tried Nardil, but have heard of it's reputation regarding SA.
Group therapy: (!) esp w/ an experienced facilitatior.
Personal therapy: (!)
However, I think I would have had to have spent endless time in daily therapy.
Benzo's don't touch the core of it for me.
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