Is Social Anxiety................

[The Jerk]

.......................... a "common mental health condition" ?

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015...ir=UK+Politics

[umm]

I think it might be. Many people whom we might dismiss as cranky have it, I suspect. Then again I suspect about 50% of the population have more than 3 sociopathic tendencies and that an awful lot of people are undiagnosed Aspergers. I assign no values to these stats, rather they are something I have simply noticed from time to time. Could be wrong though.

[redcard]

Most social anxiety issues can probably be resolved with a good diet, regular exercise and regular employment. So while it may be common, giving SA sufferers a nice comfortable life isn't the answer.

I understand that may not be a popular answer, as the majority here seem to think SA sufferers should be mollycoddled and given whatever the want until they decide they're ready to do something

[tryharder]

I lost my job recently because of my sa problems, it got bad to the point I'd not go to work so wouldn't have to in my case put up with people who don't understand my shyness and lack of communication.

Not sure were I go from here, iv just signed on to the job centre thing but I'm not sure I can work even if I was offered a job. I can't take meeting lots of new people all at once.

A working home job would be perfect for me.

What is this ESA thing ?

[tryharder]

Originally Posted by Wulfgar

Employment and Support Allowance

Thanks but what do I do now iv applied for JSA?, I'm on diazepam's now because its become so bad I refuse SSRI drugs. My depression plus anxiety has got really bad, I can't sleep well and suffer from tension headaches. I'm incapable of working no doubt.

Can I get to the job centre place and explain my problems and change to ESA...I don't know what to do as I'm not right to work at the moment.

Feel I abit helpless never had gone through this mental episode if that's right way of putting it.

[hungry ghost]

Originally Posted by tryharder

Thanks but what do I do now iv applied for JSA?, I'm on diazepam's now because its become so bad I refuse SSRI drugs. My depression plus anxiety has got really bad, I can't sleep well and suffer from tension headaches. I'm incapable of working no doubt.

Can I get to the job centre place and explain my problems and change to ESA...I don't know what to do as I'm not right to work at the moment.

Feel I abit helpless never had gone through this mental episode if that's right way of putting it.

Please get your doctor to refer you for some CBT. If this is fairly new and you've only now gone off work then you're at kind of a crucial time where what you do now sort of determines things for a while. I made the mistake when I was where you are of retreating into the house and this was really the biggest mistake I ever made, even if at the time it seemed like the only thing to do. Some sort of work is really important as having nothing to do and not being productive really hammers at your self esteem, and the longer you are away from it the more you think you can't do it.

[Oddity]

Of course, all problems can be solved by employment.

Everyone must go vegan, that prevents and cures cancer, so it goes without saying it will cure any social anxiety. I don't need any proof, or any knowledge of mental health issues, **** you. Mental breakdowns are weakness leaving the body.

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by The Jerk

.......................... a "common mental health condition" ?

Definitely. SA is far more common than we realize. Many people are crippled by a mental health problem without even knowing it. Things are changing of course, but there is still a lot of ignorance. Statistics are so misleading. When it comes to things like sexual abuse, alcoholism, social anxiety and depression you can probably double or even treble any statistic you read.

[Oddity]

They must all be pushed to work. If there are any suicides then all the better, less burden on ME and MY taxes. Perhaps we could set up places where all these people would work together....like big houses, and their children could join in as well as we know they'll be just as useless as their parents anyway.

[redcard]

Originally Posted by Oddity

Of course, all problems can be solved by employment.



Everyone must go vegan, that prevents and cures cancer, so it goes without saying it will cure any social anxiety. I don't need any proof, or any knowledge of mental health issues, **** you. Mental breakdowns are weakness leaving the body.

How do you help someone who gets offered a course of therapy on the NHS and doesn't turn up? How big a team of medical specialists should each sufferer be entitled to?

[Ajax Amsterdam]

Social Anxiety is a very common mental health issue. In fact, it's is the third most common MH issue in the world today. It comes behind only alcoholism and depression in commonality.

[tryharder]

Firstly @oddity what you say is abit blunt and crawl as iv worked since I left school iv worked hard and not been without a job till now, 15 years as a welder. Your comments are useless...but thanks anyway. Have I taken your comments wrong I don't know?.

Thanks everyone else, iv got a appointment to see doctor this Wednesday as iv told him things have got worse so he wants to see me. I will ask about the CBT and go from there.

I have not started signing on yet but have done the online application thing to go for JSA interview tomorrow so could I explain to them then or do I need to go doctors first so he can see how bad I am in order to be put on ESA for a while get my head together.

I'm planning to start my own business as I have extensive experience in welding so I do have goals to look forward too but right now I'm in no shape to work with people and definitely not loads at once as feel my head will explode.

Thanks so much for your help its very much appreciated at this time. I'm feeling really out of touch due to this suddenly getting really bad. My parents have become very supportive so that helps alot.

[Dannysbabe]

Originally Posted by Oddity

They must all be pushed to work. If there are any suicides then all the better, less burden on ME and MY taxes. Perhaps we could set up places where all these people would work together....like big houses, and their children could join in as well as we know they'll be just as useless as their parents anyway.

I hope this is meant as a tongue in cheek post, if not, well you've just insulted a lot of people.

Good luck tryharder with everything

[Moksha]

Originally Posted by Ajax Amsterdam

Social Anxiety is a very common mental health issue. In fact, it's is the third most common MH issue in the world today. It comes behind only alcoholism and depression in commonality.

According to the statistics yes, but I bet it is really number one. The problem with social anxiety is that it's so common few people consider it a mental illness, not until they are vomiting in the toilets and passing out at meetings (and often not even then).

It is also shameful, especially for adult men. I would rather admit to depression or alcohol problems than SA. Because of that people are even more reluctant to seek out help than they are for the top two. Plus SA is easier to hide.

One final thought- maybe a lot of people who are registered by the official stats as 'depressed' or 'alcoholic' became that way due to SA? I

[Ajax Amsterdam]

Originally Posted by Moksha

According to the statistics yes, but I bet it is really number one. The problem with social anxiety is that it's so common few people consider it a mental illness, not until they are vomiting in the toilets and passing out at meetings (and often not even then).

It is also shameful, especially for adult men. I would rather admit to depression or alcohol problems than SA. Because of that people are even more reluctant to seek out help than they are for the top two. Plus SA is easier to hide.

One final thought- maybe a lot of people who are registered by the official stats as 'depressed' or 'alcoholic' became that way due to SA? I

Quite possibly. As I was reading your post I was thinking how SA can also be a driver of both alcoholism and depression... but you covered it yourself with your final thought.

I've had problems with both drink and depression in the past, but I'd say my SA led to at least the drink issue, and possibly to a lot of the depression too.

[Oddity]

Tongue most definitely in cheek. I didn't think there'd be any doubt

Sorry, IDS is awful, and I get angrier every time I read about him and his twisted ideology.

[Dannysbabe]

Originally Posted by Oddity

Tongue most definitely in cheek. I didn't think there'd be any doubt

Sorry, IDS is awful, and I get angrier every time I read about him and his twisted ideology.

[Ajax Amsterdam]

Originally Posted by Oddity

Tongue most definitely in cheek. I didn't think there'd be any doubt

Sorry, IDS is awful, and I get angrier every time I read about him and his twisted ideology.

Same here.

''Work sets you free''. Now where have I heard that kind of message before? That's pretty much the tone of his policy.

[Clockface]

Originally Posted by Ajax Amsterdam

Social Anxiety is a very common mental health issue. In fact, it's is the third most common MH issue in the world today. It comes behind only alcoholism and depression in commonality.

I wish more non-SA people would wake up and realise this fact! The impression I get from people who don't know I've got SA is that they think I can just become super sociable and outgoing overnight. When I once told somebody that I had SA he replied "What, social anxiety....?" as if to say it couldn't possibly exist.

[firemonkey]

SA is more common certainly than psychotic/schizophrenia spectrum illnesses . Less severe manifestations of it could be seen as "mild mental illness" but at the severe end especially if co-morbid with more "severe" problems it can be very disabling and result in significant loss of functioning.
It would be irresponsible/stupid to make a generalised decision on work capability based on a standardised view of the limitations brought about by a "common mental illness" like SA.