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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michael Bell on February 9, 2003, at 13:22:00
Hey all! I'm new to this forum, diagnosed with pretty severe social phobia. I've had SP since I was about 10 yrs. old (26 now), but for the last few years I've been able to bring it down pretty significantly by trying various herbs and meds.
I've researched the theories re: physiological causes of SP, and as a result of what I've found on the net as well as my own experiences, I believe that GABA dysfunction is the main contributor to this illness, though I'm sure other neurotransmitters are involved somehow.
So I'm wondering about the experiences that people suffering from anxiety (especially SP) have had with GABA agonists, such as tiagabine (Gabatril), vigabatrin (Sabril), picamilone, baclofen, gabapentin, etc.
Thanks a lot. Good luck to everyone.
Posted by missinglynxx on February 9, 2003, at 17:18:05
In reply to Social Phobia GABA, posted by Michael Bell on February 9, 2003, at 13:22:00
Hi there Michael . How are you feeling lately
I found Neurontin (Gabapentin) to calm me down and make me much more outgoing. Alto I find it a powerful drug... unlike others that think of it as "Mellow" . I dont take it anymore
I found Tranxene to make me much more talkative.. ITs a cousin to Valium and doesnt sedate me at all.. Maybe you should add that on to the list.. Its very COOL,,, I can pop one in public with little sedation! Valium====GABA======very helpful for anxieties/phobias/fears IMO
Posted by jonh kimble on February 10, 2003, at 13:44:54
In reply to Re: Social Phobia GABA, posted by missinglynxx on February 9, 2003, at 17:18:05
Gaba is undoubably a biggie in social phobia, along with most anxiety disorders, I believe. What is interesting though is that dopamine dysfunction is often quite clear in social phobics but not in other anxiety disorders. Dopamine makes you positive, high self esttem, and talkative. Also low DA often leads to going over and over silly little things that you may have done that really arent a big deal(usually not even a deal) Anyway I see dopamine and gaba to be the biggest players in my problem.
Posted by Michael Bell on February 10, 2003, at 18:27:08
In reply to Re: Social Phobia GABA, posted by jonh kimble on February 10, 2003, at 13:44:54
> Gaba is undoubably a biggie in social phobia, along with most anxiety disorders, I believe. What is interesting though is that dopamine dysfunction is often quite clear in social phobics but not in other anxiety disorders. Dopamine makes you positive, high self esttem, and talkative. Also low DA often leads to going over and over silly little things that you may have done that really arent a big deal(usually not even a deal) Anyway I see dopamine and gaba to be the biggest players in my problem.
John, I was totally in your camp until pretty recently. I too figured that b/c dopamine correlates with extroversion and sociability, there must be too little of it in social phobics. But now I'm thinking there may be too MUCH dopamine in people with SP, believe it or not, or maybe too much in a certain portion of the brain. Why? Some reasons I have are: 1) SP is disproportionately high in people with Schizophrenia 2) SP is disproportionately high in people with Bipolar Disorder 3) paranoia often results from too much dopamine and is common in people with SP 4) I have gotten confidence rushes 5) alcohol is great for SP - yes, it aids dopamine release but biggest effect is on GABA 6) GHB, which actually INHIBITS dopamine release at first, is very helpful for SP for first few hours of ingestion 7) some anti-psychotics, which block dopamine, are helpful for SPAlso, I've tried tyrasine and SELEGILINE, both of which made my symptoms worse, and this seems to be the experience of others on this board.
I've read the stories about lower # of D2 receptors in people with SP. Problem is there are only a few small studies, and the people who did the study stated that the low # of receptors may actually be due the the BRAIN DOWNREGULATING the # of receptors due to high levels of dopamine.
One more thing: in studies of rhesus monkeys, it has been found that dopamine levels ELEVATE after experiencing social defeat.
I'm not trying to convert you, just pointing out why I think the dopamine issue may not be as straightforward as it seems.
But who cares - long as we find something that works, right?!
Posted by Jumpy on February 10, 2003, at 19:19:28
In reply to Re: Social Phobia GABA, posted by Michael Bell on February 10, 2003, at 18:27:08
Wow .. that is a facinating and fresh perspective on social phobia ... I definately notice more sociability with GABA meds (klonopin and neurontin) and anxiety/phobia with Norepinephrine and Dopamine meds (ritalin and parnate and desipramine). I haven't tried a pure dopamine med like mirapex or amantidine ... maybe that would be an acid test.
Jumpy
> John, I was totally in your camp until pretty recently. I too figured that b/c dopamine correlates with extroversion and sociability, there must be too little of it in social phobics. But now I'm thinking there may be too MUCH dopamine in people with SP, believe it or not, or maybe too much in a certain portion of the brain. Why? Some reasons I have are: 1) SP is disproportionately high in people with Schizophrenia 2) SP is disproportionately high in people with Bipolar Disorder 3) paranoia often results from too much dopamine and is common in people with SP 4) I have gotten confidence rushes 5) alcohol is great for SP - yes, it aids dopamine release but biggest effect is on GABA 6) GHB, which actually INHIBITS dopamine release at first, is very helpful for SP for first few hours of ingestion 7) some anti-psychotics, which block dopamine, are helpful for SP
>
> Also, I've tried tyrasine and SELEGILINE, both of which made my symptoms worse, and this seems to be the experience of others on this board.
>
> I've read the stories about lower # of D2 receptors in people with SP. Problem is there are only a few small studies, and the people who did the study stated that the low # of receptors may actually be due the the BRAIN DOWNREGULATING the # of receptors due to high levels of dopamine.
>
> One more thing: in studies of rhesus monkeys, it has been found that dopamine levels ELEVATE after experiencing social defeat.
>
> I'm not trying to convert you, just pointing out why I think the dopamine issue may not be as straightforward as it seems.
>
> But who cares - long as we find something that works, right?!
Posted by BobS. on February 13, 2003, at 18:38:19
In reply to Re: Social Phobia GABA, posted by jonl wetzel on February 12, 2003, at 23:19:48
Hi,
Do you have medline or other reference for this information:"The "Parkinsonian personality" is sort of described in literature - it resembled dysthymia, adhedonia, social phobia, (the negative symptoms of skitzophrenia). The pathology of Parkinsonism is well known - the risk of Parkinsonism in those with SP escalates by a factor of 5. Both illnesses involve reduced striatal dopamine receptor density. What causes this? I don't know - but we know we observe a similar pattern."
This is the end of the thread.
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