Posted by mayab on October 13, 2003, at 18:32:15
In reply to Re: paxil side effects, posted by Robert Fairburn on October 13, 2003, at 17:36:40
Hi everyone
Thanks for your support Robert. It helps to know that there may be light at the end of the tunnel so I'll definitely stick it out. I was referred by my gp to a psychiatrist and I have my first appointment next week.
As I said, I'm seeking treatment for social anxiety for the first time at 22 even though I know that I've had this problem since childhood.
I self medicated during my teenage years with ecstasy because it allowed me to interact with others easily but the comedowns were terrible because they left me feeling very depressed. Other than that I've only tried St John's Wort with little success.
My symptoms include keeping my social interactions to a purely superficial level through avoidance behaviour. When I am in a social situation I often tremble, blush and just feel so on edge that I normally try and get out of the situation as fast as possible. I don't think I suffer from depression though. I enjoy spending time with my husband and only feel the anxiety with others or in anticipation of an upcoming event.
Obviously my illness made it difficult to seek treatment because I hate to draw attention to myself. But the stress of moving to another country and constantly having to be in new situations with new people became too much for me to bear and I finally got the courage to make an appointment with a gp.
The ativan has really helped control my symptoms and I am more outgoing. I'm hoping to convince my new psychiatrist to keep me on it since I only take 1mg 4 times a week.
Thanks for listening.
poster:mayab
thread:268950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/269092.html