Posted by sfy on February 21, 2005, at 12:17:52
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety HELP, posted by sabre on February 18, 2005, at 22:34:03
> Thanks sfy,
> That's intriguing.
> So have you tried cbt?
> Surely the biochemical basis for each of these social anxiety types must be different?
> What drugs have you used in the past?
> Have you had any success?
> What other problems have you e.g depression?
> sabreYes, I've had CBT (including a course of therapy with CBT SA pioneer Richard Heimberg's group). It definitely has helped but due to my issues with anhedonia/dysthymia, I hit a plateau that I can't seem to get beyond. And being stable on meds helps when I'm getting started with CBT.
SA is not one discrete condition but is more of a continuum along physical, psychological, and biochemical spectrums. Biochemistry plays a role along with one's own psychological history. In the case of someone like me who has had a lifelong battle with SA, one's upbringing comes into play. Studies have shown that all shy, highly-reactive infants are not destined to be that way as adults. How one turns out depends, in part, on how parents help (or hinder) a child in dealing with these issues. My parents had no clue how to deal so I never developed the skills to deal effectively with my SA. (Note also that psychological factors, including environment and therapy, can have a measurable impact on biochemistry so it's all connected.)
The most efffective combo of meds for me was Nardil and Klonopin. It didn't result in some dramatic epiphany but had noticeable effects on my sociability and avoidance. The meds also put me in a position to make greater gains in CBT. Unfortunately, due to some serious insomnia issues (as well as my progress after 2 years), I went off this combo.
As I have a history of major depression and dysthymia, I've tried many an anti-depressant. Prozac worked wonders on my depression but did little for my SA. Serzone, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Remeron, Selegiline, Dexedrine, among others, did little to nothing for my SA. As always, YMMV.
poster:sfy
thread:457784
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050217/msgs/461282.html