Posted by Ritch on August 6, 2002, at 0:48:21
In reply to Re: How Parnate saved my butt, posted by hildi on August 5, 2002, at 20:36:41
> > > >you solve avoidance issues (medications or CBT), you still have approach (interest) issues to deal with. The bottom line is--if you lack the motivation and interest to interact with other new folks-all of the therapy/meds to stop avoidance behaviors are lost if the motivational issues aren't addressed. That is where the MAOI's and stimulants have a role in treatment, IMO.
> > >
> > > that makes good sense to me -- though some might say that if you are lacking the motivation and interest you are experiencing depression? .... though to begin with i couldn't even imagine what it would be like to avoid contact with people and not be depressed!
> > >
> > > .... one thing that is a little harder to get rid of is agoraphobia -- like sitting still for a 3+ hour car ride .... any idea what the best med is for this?
> > >
> > > .. i also find it difficult to walk up to a group of 10 girls...
> > >
> >
> >
> > Cyber,
> >
> > You have a good point about the depression aspect of SA. I have had recurring major (and not so major) depressions for 25 years now (sometimes 4 or more a year). There definitely is a correlation to motivation/interest and *lack* of depression! I think I just get used to being depressed and it probably isn't really being treated because of my med-induced hypomanias. When I am hypomanic I can talk to dead people (figuratively..of course)! Agoraphobia is something that tends to develop and be reinforced at the tail end of my depressions, then I will flip back into hypomania, come out of my shell, unlearn all of the agoraphobic behaviours, just about the time I get depressed again. Bummer. Meds that historically work well for agoraphobia tend to be sedative tricyclics like amitripytline. Probably Remeron would do well for that. MAOI's are good for phobias generally, but probably work best for "specific" phobias. Bottom line--like you say--if you are depressed you aren't going to be interested in socializing!
> >
> > Mitch
>
> Hi guys. Yeah- this is a good thread, I feel. I really have avoidance issues. I shut myself off and isolate. I really need to get out there, but I haven't mentally and physically felt up to it. I am still playing around, trying to find a med for me that works (and my dr. is being a jerk- he puts me on things that makes me sick and tells me to grin and bear it) and I tell myself that when I feel better I will get out there. . .
> But theres more to it. You guys hit it when you said 'you need to WANT to be well" and you need to get OUT there". I am afraid to get out there. My problems are probably psychological as well as biological.
> I really don't like people that much. I don't know if the right meds will ever change that part of me. I really am a loner-but I don't want to be.
> I like some of the suggestions - I have to force myself to start making steps . . .
Hildi,I was thinking about this thread later today and wanted to add to it a little more. I don't want to trash SSRI meds that badly.. but.. there is an experience that I have noticed with them. There are times where you are forced to be around folks that you "normally" wouldn't get near for any amount of money! ... and you can just stand there and BS and smile away, but when they disperse, you just experience this "WHEW!", glad they left kind of feeling. And it seems all messed up-you feel guilty for not truly liking those people. But, OTOH, who says you HAVE TO? So is the REAL problem feeling guilty or not? Obviously, if it is OK to feel "anti-social", then you are wasting your time persecuting yourself for being honest with your feelings. BUT, there are *times* when everything "clicks" with just about everybody you meet and *everybody* is OK and that feels GREAT! It is like you have found a kindred soul in everybody you meet. I like that! I really wonder if a lot of social anxiety IS just untreated depression (lack of interest). Just a couple dozen thoughts,
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:115196
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115371.html