Posted by bluedog on November 25, 2002, at 23:10:34
In reply to Re: Do I switch from SSRI to MAOI for social anxiety? , posted by djmmm on November 25, 2002, at 19:24:56
> > Hi. I think social anxiety is just a catch phrase. Social anxiety is really lack of confidence in oneself, or fear of seeming foolish to others, especially to the opposite sex, shyness, etc.
> > Joy
>
> That's the definition of social anxiety that someone NOT suffering from social anxiety, would give.
>
> Social phobia is much more pervasive, it effects, and disrupts your everyday life. It's the difference between a fear and a phobia...in short, it is much more than shyness.
>
> Shyness is to social phobia as "the blues" are to depression
>
> Most healthy people can get over shyness, and "the blues." At the hieght of my illness, i couldnt even talk on the phone, or go to a store...that goes far beyond confidence, or lack of...such things are irrational, and at the heart of social phobia.
>
>Well said djmmm. It's surprising that even on a message board such as psychobabble that there is such a lack of understanding about the misery that those of us suffering from social anxiety endure in our day to day lives.
I have taken the liberty of linking to a post made some time ago by 3 Beer Effect in response to another post that demonstrated a distinct lack of insight into social anxiety. I think his response addresses the issue perfectly.
see http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/100046.html
poster:bluedog
thread:129025
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129334.html