Posted by PhoenixGirl on February 7, 2001, at 18:05:47
In reply to Re: Why did you stop taking Ritalin, Kathy? » PhoenixGirl, posted by Katz on February 7, 2001, at 15:26:11
Hi Kathy,
I was going to refer you to MarkInBoston, but it looks like he already told you that he has a doc that prescribes amphetamines for him.
You're so right about social phobia getting worse the more you isolate yourself. I had it so bad for years, and then I got very good therapy called "cognitive behavioral therapy". I highly, highly recommend this to you. In this therapy, you practice talking to people in a group. You "act out" the situations that scare you the most. You build up to that, starting with baby steps. Also, the therapist helps you to see the irrationality of your social phobic thoughts. I did regular talk therapy for years to no avail, and doing this therapy helped me immensely in a few months. Mind you, it's difficult because you're taking on your fears, but please, please try it if you haven't yet. I did my therapy at the Psychology Clinic at the U. of Georgia, where they were studying this technique. The doctor who headed is named Dr. Nadir Amir, and the phone number is 706-542-1173 If you call him, he could probably tell you of a doctor in your area who practices this type of therapy. There must also be an organization like the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill who could point you toward a therapist. I know it will be difficult for you to reach out, but if I could do it you can do it. I truly believe that this therapy saved my life. I still have difficulties, but they're so much less and they don't rule me like before.
About me. I've considered taking amisulpride -- does it increase or inhibit dopamine? I'm considering trying reboxetine too, so there will be less serotonin action and so theoretically less sexual dysfunction. Talk to you later.
poster:PhoenixGirl
thread:53287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010131/msgs/53465.html