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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cerebus on May 8, 2006, at 18:56:24
Has anyone ever beaten social phobia without taking medication, just cognitive behavioral therapy? I am curious because I am quitting effexor xr and the only side effect is fatigue and anger. I believe once it is completely out of my system, this to will cease. Any feedback would be appreciative. Thanks.
Posted by wildcardII on May 9, 2006, at 10:30:57
In reply to Question: Social Phobia w/o meds; just CBT?, posted by cerebus on May 8, 2006, at 18:56:24
~when i was able to, CBT on a weekly or biweekly basis worked wonders for me w/o meds.. i was able to catch myself becoming upset and control my thoughts before they became out of hand and turned into a full blown panic attack. one very important thing i learned and still practice is not to allow the 'snowball' effect to control me. IMO, well worth it...
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2006, at 21:28:36
In reply to yes » cerebus, posted by wildcardII on May 9, 2006, at 10:30:57
Wildcard 11 really? You're giving me hope!!!!Love phillipa
Posted by Racer on May 10, 2006, at 17:04:51
In reply to Question: Social Phobia w/o meds; just CBT?, posted by cerebus on May 8, 2006, at 18:56:24
I wasn't able to be in therapy at the time I got over most of mine, but I think my story might offer hope to you.
Way back, in my late teens/early twenties, I took the basic speech class, and on my first speech -- I cried, and had to leave the room. It was horrible, and I thought I'd be sick I was so paralyzed by fear. And I was "shy," with most people, although very different with close friends. My anthro prof always offered extra credit options, which always included oral presentations. My first one, I broke out in hives, and started choking. (Swear to you -- actual hives, large red welts across my chest, plainly visible to many in the class.)
Fast forward a few years, not all that many, really. I was on the board of directors of a non-profit organization, and we all had to give presentations at the annual kick off event. And let me tell you -- I was speaking to people I felt far inferior to! But, what I had to say was important, and I said it. And survived.
Later, I got a second job, for extra money, teaching computer classes. My first few classes, I was convined that I didn't know nearly enough to teach anyone anything about computers, and felt -- well, let's just say "not good." But, I not only survived, I found that I really enjoyed it, and went on to teach regularly for a number of years. (And was a popular teacher, whose students always thanked at the end of a class.)
And, as I got better at dealing with classes, and speaking in front of big groups (and got a little older), I found that smaller groups weren't as difficult anymore, either. Can I walk up to strangers and strike up a conversation? You betcha. Am I confident and outgoing? Not really, but I am much more able to become more relaxed with other people. I think the habituation did me a lot of good.
And, I think that if I'd had access to a good therapist, I would have gotten there a lot faster, without nearly so much angst along the way. While I'm not usually a fan of CBT, I think this is the sort of thing CBT would be excellent for.
So, yes, I think CBT alone could probably do a heck of a lot to overcome social phobia. Good luck with it.
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