Posted by AndrewB on October 28, 2000, at 5:45:40
In reply to Social anxiety and Paxil, posted by S. Howard on October 26, 2000, at 16:31:31
Social anxiety came be the result of a variety of underlying neurochemical dysfunction: dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABA, and norandrenergic.
Serotonin agents like Paxil work fine for a minority of patients, but others will have to look elsewhere for relief.
It is important to have a psych. familiar with psychopharmocolgy. Such a doctor will have more experience and assurance in prescribing meds other than SSRIs for social anxiety. Otherwise people may times get stuck with doctors that will prescribe one serotonergic agent after another. If one or two serotonerigic agents don't help it is time to move on and try something else.
Meds that may help your social anxiety include:
Benzos: Klonopin, it has a low addiction potential at low doses and has a great track record. Past history of drug abuse does not preclude the use of Klono. Some people say drug abuse is often our own attempts to self-medicate in order to feel normal. Once effective medication is found and normalcy is attained, many people no longer hunger for drugs. They are where they want to be.
Dopaminergics: Amisulpride, sulpiride, selegiline and stimulants. For an info peice on amisulpride email me at andrewb@seanet.com. Recent brain studies have shown hypofuntiion in the dopaminergic system in those with social anxiety.
Beta Blockers: Often effective for the physical symptoms of anxiety including blushing. Kerlone and propropanol are examples of beta blockers.
Others possible meds: Clonidine (alpha A2 antagonist), gabapentin (nuerontin), Nardil (many suggest you avoid this unless you have tried a variety of other meds due to its side effects, but it is very efficacious on average.)
It is my impression that social anxiety is a very treatable disorder. The key is locating a psychiatrist who will aggresively trial a variety of med.s in short order. Most of the meds listed above only require a short trial period.
AndrewB
poster:AndrewB
thread:47446
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001022/msgs/47589.html