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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
I donīt know If Iīm gonna be able to work in this condition . This thing scared me to death.
At the moment my parents still give me money to survive but , what will happen when they donīt be here ?I would like to know job experiences in people suffering from this condition please
IF you have a job :
Can you tell me what kind of job you have ?
have you ever received a promotion ?
Thanks in advance
Tep
Posted by mattw84 on November 16, 2004, at 22:31:02
In reply to Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
I am assuming you mean Social Phobia -- in which case, yes! I manage a small dry cleaners, interact with lots of people everyday as well. I have been promoted from a presser to the counter and then from there to the manager. Customers all think I am a great asset to the company and I have no trouble saying that I am. However... if it weren't for the fact that it is my JOB to interact with the customers and remember their names and how they like their shirts, etc... Like if I was on the other side of the counter it would be intensely different. I haven't figured out why as of yet, but this is the only 'social' situation that does not make me faint at the thought of it. I wish you the best of luck, my recommendation is to do just that -- find a job where you are required to interact with people. Difficult to explain, but I could sell snow to an eskimo; but sell myself to a girl at a bar.. let alone offer to buy her a drink or even say hi makes me flush and sweaty at the thought.
GL!
Matt
Posted by JayDee on November 16, 2004, at 23:06:16
In reply to Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
SP affects people in many different ways. I deliver pizza myself, I'm uncomfortable quite often, but i can handle it 99% of the time. I actually hate the job for other reasons...
my SP is quite severe in situations that 'count' for me: such as talking w/ people my age etc...
I can deal with customers, because I don't care what they think of me, for the most part. depsite this I am uncomfortable alot. Its very stressful and probably contributes to my depression, but I have to force myself :(
Posted by tankgirl on November 17, 2004, at 1:49:23
In reply to Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
>
> I donīt know If Iīm gonna be able to work in this condition . This thing scared me to death.
> At the moment my parents still give me money to survive but , what will happen when they donīt be here ?
>
> I would like to know job experiences in people suffering from this condition please
>
> IF you have a job :
> Can you tell me what kind of job you have ?
> have you ever received a promotion ?
>
>
> Thanks in advance
> Tep
I do have SP if you mean Social Phobia.. or Social Anxiety as I call it, whichever! =) And I'm not trying to scare you or anything, but Ive lost 3 jobs due to the fear alone. I would just wake up to go to work, and be too afraid to face anyone. I got so freaked out in each situation, that I was even afraid to call in sick, or to call them at all! The longest I've ever held a job was a graveyard shift gas station.. simply because there were less people around late at night, and sometimes i got to busy myself doing inventory and ordering the next day's shipment.. I tried to avoid anything that involved customers, like cashier, but eventually it was too much and I just told the other person I was working with that I had to go home, and left quickly with tears in my eyes.NOW.. here's the good part.. a company can NOT fire you because you have SP.. in fact that is where I went wrong.. I was to scared to even mention that I have panic disorder at all (I dont just have social phobia, I'm diagnosed Severe Panic Disorder, and I get random panic attacks anywhere, anytime, and social situations sure don't help any!).. anyways, what I'm getting at is.. if you get a job, and one day find it too hard to handle, and have that completely petrified feeling come over you, TELL SOMEONE AT WORK.. I know it's got to be hard, which is why I never could do it, but they have to take into account whatever "disability" (for lack of a better word) you might have.. and they legally cannot fire you. Just remember that A LOT of people have anxiety issues, maybe even someone else you end up working with? Confiding in your boss or at least a co-worker should make you feel a little more comfortable at the very least.
Keep the spirits up! And I hope I did more good than harm with my little tale.
Cheers!
TG
Posted by King Vultan on November 17, 2004, at 8:19:23
In reply to Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
Yes, I've been working as a chemist at a plastics company for 16 years. My situation would be most similar to Matt's, where I don't have a lot of problem interacting with customers, but I have experienced huge difficulties being a customer myself dealing with clerks in stores, standing in lines, and talking to other people in one on one social situations. Both of the MAOIs have been extremely helpful for my social phobia.
Todd
Posted by pseudonym on November 17, 2004, at 13:40:30
In reply to Re: Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by King Vultan on November 17, 2004, at 8:19:23
I think with a benzo, its easy for me to hold a job or get another one. Always have had a job and always will, most likely. The Klonopin takes care of the social anxiety part of the job, just not the anhedonic, pro-social aspect. Klonopin is "good", but I'm looking forward to something like ocinaplon that's a pure anxiolytic, not a pure benzo, and/or perhaps EMSAM.
Posted by sabre on November 17, 2004, at 14:17:47
In reply to Re: Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by pseudonym on November 17, 2004, at 13:40:30
Hello Tep
I have had social anxiety and panic since my teens - (before the Internet) and had no idea what it was until a decade later.
I am a physiotherapist and struggled to get through vivas and presentations while doing my course. It caused a lot of stress, weight loss etc. Towards the end of my course a gp put me on beta blockers - a tiny dose - but it was enough to get me through.I work part time as a physio and PT as a mum! I think you can learn to function well in a role that you get to know. The secret is to study hard, practise etc so you feel confident about the actual job. Then hopefully you have more energy to deal with the people interactions.
I am ok with most patients although I do have bad days. However I avoid presentations, social staff stuff and interviews. I have changed jobs a lot and tend to take on casual positions to avoid interviews.
I think if you can find medication/counselling to help you now possibly you will avoid many of the stresses. I am trying the alternative medications now - better late than never. If they don't work I'm going to go back to looking for a prescription drug that helps. There are many suggestions in these pages.
I wish you lots of luck.
sabre
Posted by TheOutsider on November 17, 2004, at 16:59:59
In reply to Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
I have relativly mild social axiety as well as some generalised anxiety and I am managing to hold down a full time job at the moment.
I'm currently working as a hospital porter, I find the job tolerable mainly because my boss is such a nice guy and the work atmosphere is generally pleasant, I don't feel threatend and I can confide in my boss.
I thinks it very important to have an understanding boss who you feel you can confide in, it makes a big differences.I feel like my experience has a lot in common with Matts, I can talk to people in a work context fairly happily, its when I have to make small talk that things fall apart.......
Posted by jujube on November 17, 2004, at 17:21:53
In reply to Does anybody with SP have a job ???, posted by Tepiaca on November 16, 2004, at 19:58:38
I suffered from Social Phobia before there was even a name for it. I was told I was just a shy, nervous person. However, I have always worked since the age of 14 (I am 42 now). My first job was in a fast food restaurant, and it was hard, but I did it. Although starting a new job was always been terrifying, over the years, I have had many jobs, including aerobics instructor and bartender. I have been with my current employer for 15 years, have been promoted 4 times, and am now at the executive level.
It's not always easy. Speaking in a group meeting or at a board meeting, having to make a presentation, etc. used to turn me to jelly, and still does to some degree. Now I do it, although I would be lying if I said I did it with ease and comfort.
I am still not the greatest in social situations, particularly when I am with people I don't know or don't know very well. But I continue to try.
I am not going to kid you, living with social phobia can be hard. I have found that if I walk towards my fears, instead of running from them, it gets easier with time. Taking baby steps also helps, as does some sort of therapy. Perhaps you could, as a first step, look at doing some volunteer work, even one day a week. Reading to seniors or visiting kids in the hospital may be something that could help you get more comfortable. Seniors would love the company, as would kids who are hospitalized and would simply like someone to sit and watch t.v. with them or play a game.
I think it is important that to remember that even people who appear to be fearless experience fear. It is normal. However, too much can be parlyzying. Too little leads us to complacency. It is important to find a happy medium. Once you feel comfortable walking towards your fears one little step at a time, you will find it gets a bit easier with each passing day, month, year.
I wish you all the best, and hope you find a way to deal with your SP.
Take good care.
Tamara
>
> I donīt know If Iīm gonna be able to work in this condition . This thing scared me to death.
> At the moment my parents still give me money to survive but , what will happen when they donīt be here ?
>
> I would like to know job experiences in people suffering from this condition please
>
> IF you have a job :
> Can you tell me what kind of job you have ?
> have you ever received a promotion ?
>
>
> Thanks in advance
> Tep
Posted by Tepiaca on November 17, 2004, at 22:34:46
In reply to Re: Does anybody with SP have a job ??? ŧ Tepiaca, posted by jujube on November 17, 2004, at 17:21:53
Thank you for answer me . Im not used to receive too many answers in my posts so even this makes me have fear , answering to many people ! . Can you believe it ?
I wanna share with you that Im starting a job next monday . Itīs a full time job as an engineer. I hope not to dissapoint anybody in the company .I know itīs gonna be very difficult
this is my first official job ! . May god , Nardil and Clonazepam help me !!I have other question to all of you , and this is related to love.
Have you ever been in love having Social Phobia??
Are you married , with childrens?
Any boy or girlfriend in your life ??
Thank you very much guys for tell me your history and for your suppot :)
Posted by King Vultan on November 18, 2004, at 0:14:07
In reply to Thank you guys ! . Another question ....., posted by Tepiaca on November 17, 2004, at 22:34:46
>
> Thank you for answer me . Im not used to receive too many answers in my posts so even this makes me have fear , answering to many people ! . Can you believe it ?
> I wanna share with you that Im starting a job next monday . Itīs a full time job as an engineer. I hope not to dissapoint anybody in the company .I know itīs gonna be very difficult
> this is my first official job ! . May god , Nardil and Clonazepam help me !!
>
> I have other question to all of you , and this is related to love.
>
> Have you ever been in love having Social Phobia??
>
> Are you married , with childrens?
>
> Any boy or girlfriend in your life ??
>
> Thank you very much guys for tell me your history and for your suppot :)
Good luck with the new job--I personally have found work to be insightful and therapeutic, and much less stressful as time has gone on. No, I've never been in love and have never had any kind of relationship. The last date I went on was in 1987, I believe. Perhaps things will change in this area now that I finally seem to have found something that is nearly 100% effective in treating my SP (Parnate).Todd
Posted by jujube on November 18, 2004, at 8:49:22
In reply to Thank you guys ! . Another question ....., posted by Tepiaca on November 17, 2004, at 22:34:46
>
> Thank you for answer me . Im not used to receive too many answers in my posts so even this makes me have fear , answering to many people ! . Can you believe it ?
> I wanna share with you that Im starting a job next monday . Itīs a full time job as an engineer. I hope not to dissapoint anybody in the company .I know itīs gonna be very difficult
> this is my first official job ! . May god , Nardil and Clonazepam help me !!
>
> I have other question to all of you , and this is related to love.
>
> Have you ever been in love having Social Phobia??
>
> Are you married , with childrens?
>
> Any boy or girlfriend in your life ??
>
> Thank you very much guys for tell me your history and for your suppot :)Congratulations on your new job! I have had a few relationships, but I find it difficult. I still struggle with trust and emotional intimacy issues, but I am not giving up. What I think is that when the right one comes along, your fears will subside, and there will be a sense of comfort that has seemed near impossible in the past.
Good luck in your new job. Have confidence in yourself and others will have confidence in you too!
Take care.
Tamara
Posted by pseudonym on November 18, 2004, at 16:58:06
In reply to Re: Thank you guys ! . Another question ..... ŧ Tepiaca, posted by jujube on November 18, 2004, at 8:49:22
I have been in love with a number of women, and vice versa, and have gone out with a girl (back in 94-95) for about two years. But I must tell you, that's by far the hardest part of the social anxiety on me. Of course the social anxiety manifests itself elsewhere, specifically in "small talk" situations, which I feel has to do with being comfortable in your skin. But I have strong belief that I will overcome it and be the better for it.
Posted by ed_uk on November 19, 2004, at 9:36:59
In reply to Re: Thank you guys ! . Another question ....., posted by King Vultan on November 18, 2004, at 0:14:07
Hello...
I think that it's very likely that you'll find love now that your SP is under control. Parnate sounds like a good drug for someone who's looking for love. Good for anxiety without the sexual side effects of the SSRIs. You seem like a nice person so good things will come your way.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by King Vultan on November 19, 2004, at 19:22:27
In reply to Re: Love, Parnate and King Vultan, posted by ed_uk on November 19, 2004, at 9:36:59
Posted by sabre on November 19, 2004, at 22:34:11
In reply to Re: Thank you guys ! . Another question ....., posted by pseudonym on November 18, 2004, at 16:58:06
Hi Tepiaca
I have noticed over time that many of my friends (and husband) are extrovert, un-selfconscious people who are talkative and accepting. They make life easier for a socially anxious person and you can slowly grow comfortable in relationships like these.
The other thing is to follow relationships and friendships that involve your interests and passions instead of trying to develop them in areas that might be out of your comfort zone e.g. parties, dinners etc that are often stressful and hell on earth for the socially anxious.
Sabre
Posted by Tepiaca on November 20, 2004, at 0:42:19
In reply to Re: Thank you guys ! . Another question ....., posted by sabre on November 19, 2004, at 22:34:11
This is the end of the thread.
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