First timer looking for advice on meds

[Continental]

So this is the first time I've posted...sry if it's a bit long but just want to explain my situation and get some advice hopefully from someone in a similar position.

I've known I've had SA for a quite a few years now (I'm in my 20s), and it def affects my life I've just never got round to doing anything about it. Now though I realise it's really holding me back. It's hard because I have a girlfriend, friends, a pretty full life...so is not like I can't get by. People say I'm outspoken, I don't take any shit off anyone, I have no probs talking to strangers on the phone (and actually enjoy it espec dealing with sales people etc)

But at the same time I have this thing that controls my life...a series of social events and interactions that I struggle to deal with. Don't get me wrong I understand the stupidity of my brain, almost never have my bad feelings about something become reality...I always have a good time at these things. Espec after a drink, which brings me to my question...

I essentially medicate with alcohol, not to a point that worries me, i.e. one beer and I'm fine I don't need to get pissed or anything. I don't want to go down the route of CBT (as I've been doing that for two years essentially, forcing myself to go to stuff etc), so just wondered if anyone here has what I'd call mid-level SA and has medicated? It's like I just need something to push me up 5 or 10pc. And I don't want to go down the route of traditional ADs that affect sexual function. I've heard moclobermide mentioned before? Beta blockers? Temp meds that you only take just before a 'situation'? Though I'd prefer something long-term tbh.

I'm not naturally depressive but the SA makes me like that sometimes. It's hard because I'm totally confident even over confident in the right situation, but this holds me back and always has done...some situations I'm not even worried about on a mental level but yet my body still can be trusted to create the side affects...shaky voice, needing the toilet constantly, blushing, dry mouth etc etc

Sorry for rambling...any help please!

C

[no0ne]

try reading this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Happiness-Tr.../dp/184529825X

don't keep trying to fight what your minds telling you learn to accept it and get along with it. drugs aren't the answer to sa. (my opionion i'm sure others will disagree)

have you thought about the possibility that you need to remove things from your system and not be adding more to it? ie ditch alcohol, caffiene sugar, smoking, things that stimulate and replace with things that relax you like yoga, exercise, relaxation cd's. pills aren't the easy option quick fix they just mask the problem. exercise has been the biggest help for me.

[AnathemA]

Originally Posted by BFG

drugs aren't the answer to sa. (my opionion i'm sure others will disagree)

They aren't, but they help, especially if you're also depressed.

[Louise 5]

Hi Continental

I've recently started taking Beta Blockers as a bit of extra support for when I think that i'll be needing it. Say, just before a presentation, or when meeting a large group of people. (I often blush and find it really hard to interact in a group as I get quite shy) I tend to have them with me just in case most of the time although i'm not using them that often.

I'm on the lowest dose possible which is what your doctor might recommend for you initially unless you suffer from really severe anxiety.

It just makes me feel better to know that I have something that I can take if the nerves really kick in.

Good luck with everything, I'm sure that you'll be able to find something that's right for you.

[José Raúl Capablanca]

I take citilopram , while it is certainly no panacea it certainly has made my depressive episodes less frequent , cant say it's done an awful lot for the anxiety, If your not adverse to the princable of them , I would say give it a try for 2-3 mounths and if it helps great if not stop, but it should be used in conjunction with other treatments , weather that be pushing yourself or seeking therepy.

[karl-32]

firstly dont self medicate with alchohol. this may seem to work but in actual fact it just makes things worse .

as otheres said drugs are not the answer . the way to cure sa is through doing things that your afraid of however drugs can help if you help them to help . drugs wont make you wanna go out and socialise. drugs are like a screwdriver. they wont do anything unless you excert some effort and help it .

i'm on venlafaxine . its specifically indicated for depression and social anxiety disorder and what i have noticed is it reduced my paranoia when i go out.

i think alot of people with sa wait for a cure or to feel better before they do things. if people do this then they are in for bad news ......and a long wait.......

[AxelFendersson]

Originally Posted by Some people

Drugs aren't the answer.

More properly, drugs alone are not the answer, however they may be part of the answer.

[karl-32]

Originally Posted by AxelFendersson

More properly, drugs alone are not the answer, however they may be part of the answer.

yeah some people said that

[karl-32]

Originally Posted by absentia

So long as you have the right attitude. If things go well it's all "phew, that was a relief, let's hope I can get through it that well next time" but never "hell yeah, I'm the man, I can't wait to do it again" and if things go bad it's all "I give up, I am useless" but never "ah well, never mind, better luck next time" or at least trying to squeeze out something positive from the experience. You need to become aware of your thoughts and consciously tell yourself otherwise. If you rely on your natural thought patterns you will never move forward and if anything, only backwards. You need to program your mind into thinking positive about good and bad situations until it becomes habitual.

agreed

attitude is important , as its quite easy to do something we are scared of and say "oh god that was awful , never again"

even if we say "oh god that felt awful , but hey at least i did it and i'm not dead and nothing truly catastrophic happened" then thats drawing some positives.

there are still certain things i really struggle with. i can go out now and use public transport but that took me 3 years and i had quite a bad attitude about it at first and kept having setbacks . my most common thought was "why the hell is this not getting any easier! i'm useless and will never get better"

but eventually it did but it can take months/years .

i still struggle with interpersoanl contact and i'm not ready to go there yet. i still ignore people that ask for directions ect

[Continental]

Thanks for all the replies, I have to say I was a little worried I wouldn't be that welcome here, only because when I read posts I realise that my SA isn't to the same degree as some others here. Though obviously at the same time to me it's everything.

I'm probably gonna be long-winded here because of all the different replies...so please bear with me!

First the alcohol thing...I don't think I overstated it, I use to self medicate, but not even on a vastly conscious level. I love drinking but rarely get really pissed, I'm in my 20s so I think it's understandable. But the conclusion is unavoidable...I don't need a drink to go shopping, go out, do any normal activity...but yes if I'm going to a social event I'm much happier knowing I can have a beer or two. I have a better time (as do people without SA), can be sociable etc and make really close bonds with people that I can then continue after the event and without having a drink.

Is it a perfect situation? Of course not, however it enables me to live a normal life, and to make those 'connections' with people that lead to long term friendship. So far from making things worse alcohol as a drug really does work for me. Even SA-less people use alcohol for exactly the same reasons...the only difference being they'd have less of a problem socialising without it.

I approach this from largely a scientific viewpoint...realistically (and I've tried) giving up booze, cigarettes, caffeine etc is all well and good, but it's not going to treat the root cause of my SA. The only things proven to work are CBT and drugs.

The problem is for two years determinedly I've forced myself into these situations...and when I get there I always have a great time. It's the build up that's the problem and overcoming avoidance. I don't and never have suffered depression, though my SA makes me depressed sometimes if that makes sense. I'm intelligent, confident and completely self-aware...but I can't change the way my brain thinks however much I try.

My understanding is that SA is linked to a part of the brain related to 'fear' that has been suggested to be smaller/larger in people with SA. We treat so many conditions yet when it comes to SA there seems to be a very anti-drugs attitude is that right?

Problem is to function and get by in society sometimes we 'need' to overcome aspects of it. If I go to a job interview I have a much better chance of getting the job by appearing confident and able to explain why I'm the best candidate. Musicians take beta blockers for stage fright so what's wrong with someone with SA taking them to aid a situation like that. Because ultimately and I'd love to be proved wrong...I don't think someone who's had SA will ever feel so comfortable in a situation like that that their body would not exhibit the involuntary reactions SA causes, i.e. tremors, sweating, blushing etc.

I'm not saying drugs are a total solution...in fact like I said I have no experience of them hence I'm asking for others advice! But I feel I've done all I can, I stick myself in situations, I try to 'rewire' my brain with various books, I run and keep fit to give me confidence...but it's that time in my life when I need something more, even just for specific situations but ideally all the time.

I'm an optimist and am determined to be a success, I'm positive, nature has given us SA but the result of that is also many qualities that people without SA don't possess. As a person I'm just not prepared any more to limit my scope in life, I don't want some drug that will make me an extrovert overnight, just something that will take the edge off my anxieties etc...just like that pint of beer or glass of wine does!

Apologies for rambling but this is really the first time I've talked to anyone, apart from to my gf.

[Continental]

totally agree...that's why i don't want to consider ssri's and was looking for people's experience with other meds.

also wondered how easy it is to get prescribed stuff? and could you say to a doc 'i don't want ssri's i want this specific drug after researching myself'?

thanks

[Continental]

Anyone?