Posted by JonW on November 26, 2002, at 23:52:23
In reply to alcohol and stimulant effect, posted by jonh kimble on November 26, 2002, at 17:55:33
Pretty much everyone with social anxiety knows that alcohol works, unfortunately it isn't a practical cornerstone for the pharmacological treatment of the illness. My pdoc Dr. Liebowitz, who's name carries some weight when it comes to social anxiety, says it's OK for people with SP to use alcohol. Not in a way that you can't function socially without it, though. It's pretty important to attack SP from both sides at the same time. If I could give you some advise, I would suggest you try putting equal importance on both therapy (CBT) and medication. I was so focused on medications, this receptor and that receptor, this study and that study, if this drug had this effect and that drug had that effect then that suggests this drug should be helpful, or maybe this drug in combination with that drug, etc, etc... I scoffed at anyone who even brought up CBT, or therapy. Been there, done that -- I read "Feeling Good" and even saw a CBT therapist for awhile. Maybe CBT works for minor cases, but my problem is much worse. My problem is much more biological and and needs the right medication.
If you do CBT with a therapist who has special training for treating people with SP at the same time you do the meds with your pdoc, you may find the medication suddenly becomes much more effective. It's true, CBT + meds is more effective than either alone, and particularly potent when it comes to treating SP. The best move I ever made was to start working with Dr. Liebowitz and Carla Daichman who are both part of Klein, Liebowitz psychiatric associates. Putting my pharmacologic care in the hands of an expert (Liebowitz) and seeing Carla Daichman who works with me and helps Dr. Liebowitz with info for med adjustments, etc. has probably been the best decision I've ever made. I don't know how exactly you view your illness, but I thought I'd share my experience because I wouldn't want you to unnecessarily miss out on what has saved me.
Good Luck,
Jonp.s. Alcohol makes me euphoric, too... It's amazing how powerful SP is, though. I remember being falling down drunk, and it would still be with me...
poster:JonW
thread:129471
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129521.html