Posted by PTSD_Girl on August 22, 2004, at 14:29:51
In reply to Social Anxiety Issue, posted by Pandabear on August 22, 2004, at 13:48:33
I really feel for you, PandaBear. I have social anxiety too. Isn't it the pits? We are social critters by nature, I think, and it is so frustrating to have this need to distance ourselves from others. This condition makes us have to fight ourselves.
Last summer my social anxiety was so bad that I couldn't leave my apartment.....for the entire summer. I have never known such anxiety!!! I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy!
The only med that I have found to help myself is Ativan. Taking 1mg three times per day rounds the edges.....it eases away the tension, and I'm able to be ME again. The problem is, though, that my docs say that benzos are only for temporary use. They say that they were never meant to be used as part of someone's daily regimen. So they are basically saying, "Go suffer."
Maybe your doctors will allow for the use of benzos. For someone with true social anxiety, they are about as addicting as morphine is for a dying cancer patient. They absoultely improve your quality of life.
I say that you should ask about Ativan. You can work through your issues much better when your heart isn't pounding out of your throat!
PTSD_Girl
poster:PTSD_Girl
thread:380867
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040821/msgs/380875.html