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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 Joe Schmoe on June 13, 2001, at 18:39:55
I have read a lot of posts here about people being on this or that drug for x number of weeks, months, or years, but eventually the person discontinues the drug and the disease comes back.
Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia? I don't see much point in taking them for a few months or years if eventually the meds poop out or the side effects become intolerable. Anybody had their life permanently changed for the better on these meds? And stayed on them more or less permanently?
Posted by lissa on June 13, 2001, at 19:45:53
In reply to Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by Joe Schmoe on June 13, 2001, at 18:39:55
> Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia?
Not me. I took them briefly a few years ago. Maybe they helped a little to get me out of my apartment more. My personal experience was that the problem was not really something to be solved by medication (though your experience, of course, may be different). I was very persistent with making myself get out and do things even if I felt stupid and to seize any job opportunity that seemed interesting, even if it took effort to summon the confidence to apply. I made myself sit next to handsome strangers on the subway, even if we were the only two on the train. I met great people and co-workers who were very kind to me and interested in my life -- for whatever reason, I did not have many close friends before that point in my life. I felt better about myself, I cared less what others thought, and though I'm still a bit shy, I think I'm cured. For you, maybe, the problem is more difficult. Maybe you need the medication. I do not know what your present social life is like, but it is always good to get out as much as possible (to make yourself go) and to try to enjoy yourself.
Posted by Jen B on June 13, 2001, at 22:30:58
In reply to Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by Joe Schmoe on June 13, 2001, at 18:39:55
Well, Paxil helped me a great deal. Unfortunately, I did stop because of weight gain. I know someone else on Paxil who has not gained weight. I guess I would like to know the answer to your question as well. I'm on Celexa now, and it helps somewhat, but not as good as the Paxil.
> I have read a lot of posts here about people being on this or that drug for x number of weeks, months, or years, but eventually the person discontinues the drug and the disease comes back.
>
> Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia? I don't see much point in taking them for a few months or years if eventually the meds poop out or the side effects become intolerable. Anybody had their life permanently changed for the better on these meds? And stayed on them more or less permanently?
Posted by tina on June 13, 2001, at 23:10:07
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by Jen B on June 13, 2001, at 22:30:58
I wish. If you find one, let me know will ya?
> Well, Paxil helped me a great deal. Unfortunately, I did stop because of weight gain. I know someone else on Paxil who has not gained weight. I guess I would like to know the answer to your question as well. I'm on Celexa now, and it helps somewhat, but not as good as the Paxil.
>
>
>
> > I have read a lot of posts here about people being on this or that drug for x number of weeks, months, or years, but eventually the person discontinues the drug and the disease comes back.
> >
> > Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia? I don't see much point in taking them for a few months or years if eventually the meds poop out or the side effects become intolerable. Anybody had their life permanently changed for the better on these meds? And stayed on them more or less permanently?
Posted by Mitch on June 13, 2001, at 23:32:36
In reply to Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by Joe Schmoe on June 13, 2001, at 18:39:55
> I have read a lot of posts here about people being on this or that drug for x number of weeks, months, or years, but eventually the person discontinues the drug and the disease comes back.
>
> Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia? I don't see much point in taking them for a few months or years if eventually the meds poop out or the side effects become intolerable. Anybody had their life permanently changed for the better on these meds? And stayed on them more or less permanently?I have found a "cocktail" of sorts that worked wonders for me but I had a negative reaction (physical side-effects) to the med combination.
You might not have problems with it
Here it is:
Neurontin 300mg twice daily
Adderall 5mg in the morning
Risperdal .5mg at bedtime.Mitch
Posted by lissa on June 14, 2001, at 5:46:23
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety? » Joe Schmoe, posted by Mitch on June 13, 2001, at 23:32:36
sorry about my matter-of-fact little solution to the problem. Obviously, you must be much older than me, have nice social lives, have tried many things for the problem, and still feel as if you need the medication. still, this website bothers me and, while it is a nice forum for supporting each other (complete with photo of handsome doctor), I don't think I'll continue to use it. good luck.
Posted by AMenz on June 14, 2001, at 10:34:12
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by lissa on June 13, 2001, at 19:45:53
I think there is more to social anxiety than simply medication.
I think like all phobic reactions it is composed of an underlying anxiety picture + a trigger: social occassions.
The other component is interpersonal. People react very negatively to an anxious person. So it places that social barrier.
I think you may try any drug SSRI's etc that promise relief from the underlying anxiety, but you are going to have to work on the behavioral issues. YOu are going to have to work on meeting, talking and taking the steps towards loosening of anxiety. Enough positive experiences and the anxiety upon meeting strangers, or deepening friendships may very well ameliorate.
Also do you have other symptoms that need addressing, eg, irritability, that's another social killer.
Treat the comorbid condition if there is one, eg. BPII BPI, etc.
> > Has anyone here been taking meds long-term and successfully for social anxiety/phobia?
>
> Not me. I took them briefly a few years ago. Maybe they helped a little to get me out of my apartment more. My personal experience was that the problem was not really something to be solved by medication (though your experience, of course, may be different). I was very persistent with making myself get out and do things even if I felt stupid and to seize any job opportunity that seemed interesting, even if it took effort to summon the confidence to apply. I made myself sit next to handsome strangers on the subway, even if we were the only two on the train. I met great people and co-workers who were very kind to me and interested in my life -- for whatever reason, I did not have many close friends before that point in my life. I felt better about myself, I cared less what others thought, and though I'm still a bit shy, I think I'm cured. For you, maybe, the problem is more difficult. Maybe you need the medication. I do not know what your present social life is like, but it is always good to get out as much as possible (to make yourself go) and to try to enjoy yourself.
Posted by tina on June 14, 2001, at 12:10:22
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by lissa on June 14, 2001, at 5:46:23
> sorry about my matter-of-fact little solution to the problem. Obviously, you must be much older than me, have nice social lives, have tried many things for the problem, and still feel as if you need the medication. still, this website bothers me and, while it is a nice forum for supporting each other (complete with photo of handsome doctor), I don't think I'll continue to use it. good luck.
***It wasn't matter of fact, it was very helpful and may indeed work for some people. Don't go away.
Posted by Joe Schmoe on June 14, 2001, at 16:55:45
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety?lissa, posted by tina on June 14, 2001, at 12:10:22
In my case, I have been a nervous person since I was a small child, and prone to negative thoughts and sadness. Full-blown social phobia did not hit till I was in my mid-twenties however. As a result it did not cripple my development and I possess most of the essential social skills - I was always known as an excellent interviewee in job interviews for example. I have never had trouble starting and maintaining relationships with women (been with my current one for ten years or so), and at my job I participate in meetings, give speeches and presentations (sometimes with the help of Xanax, if I get advance warning) and I hold social events at my house. The social phobia has never gone away or gotten better despite all these activities. It is clear to me that seeking out personal interaction and public performances is never going to get rid of it. I am looking for a medication which can be used on a long term basis to correct what I consider to be a genetic problem with my neurochemistry. I was hoping somebody out there had successfully done this, but I am not encouraged by what I am hearing. I have to wonder if it is worth the bother of starting paxil, if everybody quits it sooner or later. Serzone was a waste of time.
Posted by pellmell on June 16, 2001, at 20:29:24
In reply to Re: Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by lissa on June 14, 2001, at 5:46:23
still, this website bothers me and, while it is a nice forum for supporting each other (complete with photo of handsome doctor), I don't think I'll continue to use it. good luck.
> > > >
Maybe this thread will be redirected, but anyway, I'm curious. Lissa, hat about this site bothers you? I got seriously bad vibes from your last post.-pm
Posted by dnuk on June 17, 2001, at 23:46:57
In reply to Any long term success for social anxiety?, posted by Joe Schmoe on June 13, 2001, at 18:39:55
I posted an almost identical question 2 weeks ago, and you're situation/history sounds very similar to my own.
I was told Nardil or Klonopin were great for it. I took Paxil at only 20mg for about 2 years, experiencing both of the famous side-effects. It helped some, but not a lot (maybe relief would have been better at a higher dosage, but I imagine the side effects would intensify).
I saw the doc last week, he isn't wild about Nardil b/c of the peculiar diet restrictions (perhaps if this current med doesn't work), and I think will prescribe the Klonopin or Xanax if the Nortriptyline (Pamelor), what he chose, doesn't work out too well. I go back in 3 weeks, we'll see what he says. If I were you, I'd try going with the Nardil (which I understand can give out on you after 2-10 years or so) or Klonopin (I've never heard of it quitting on you, but it makes some docs nervous b/c it's a bz and plenty of people lie, cheat, and steal to get their hands on bz's to get high.
Some buy into the CBT. And, I won't discount it for some (overall, I think it's a crock, and that people who achieve success with it really didn't have true SP to begin with). But, for those who need relief NOW or who have tried talk therapy in the past (like me) or who have jobs requiring frequent presentations & meetings (also like me)and do not just "get over it" the way people do over time with simple stagefright, I see it as a chemical/genetic problem that meds are fine to try.
This is the end of the thread.
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