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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Caedmon on June 18, 2006, at 10:31:38
In reply to Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 18, 2006, at 5:40:47
I know the feeling.
*sits staring out the window*
- Chris
Posted by willyee on June 18, 2006, at 10:35:00
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by MrBrice on June 18, 2006, at 7:32:49
I agree definatly,your subconsciously so worried about holding a grasp on ur anxiety that its a constant worry,ur mind turns to a full task of keeping ur anxiety as tightly wrapped as it can,and this is enough to make u feel like ur stuck on stupid when u talk to people,or do things.
I have had that stuck on stupid,and it can make a possably love interest think ur the most boeingst person in the world,i also however have had meds totaly clamp down on anxiety at times,and im a talking motor,i talk to everyone,i feel so articulate,when i did sales in computers these times came in handy,but the latter times were really rough,people think ur boring or stupid but they dont realise ur having a breakdown in ur mind of a type and ur simply trying to work past it......that takes a lot of courage to be willing to attempt this and face situations,give urself some credit.
None of this is text book,its just what i think is happening,cause i always have a lot to say but when im fighting anxiety im very quiet and a to the point kinda of guy.
Posted by willyee on June 18, 2006, at 10:41:03
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by willyee on June 18, 2006, at 10:35:00
I meant to put this too,its a single comment i feel strongly on,anxiety,especialy social anxiety as i know this well,does something awful which is,
IT ACTUALY STEALS YOUR PERSONALITY,EVERYTHING YOU ARE,YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR,YOUR WHOLE BEING IS STRIPPED,AND UNFORTUNATLY SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER GET TO KNOW THE REAL YOU CAUSE THEY DONT STICK AROUND ENOUGH TO SEE THOSE MOMENTS WHEN U SHINE THROUGH.THIS IS ONE THING THAT HAS ALWAYS BOTHERED ME.I MADE LOTS OF FRIENDS IN MY TEENS,NOW WELL LETS JUST SAY ITS VERY DIFFERENT .
Posted by Tom Twilight on June 18, 2006, at 10:55:23
In reply to Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 18, 2006, at 5:40:47
I completely know what you mean frequentflyer!
Don't worry its not that you haven't got anything to say, rather its that your anxiety prevents you from thinking of something to say.
This problem is the bain of my life, I found GHB very helpful for this!
I'd like to try a good benzo, think that might help.
Unfortunatly its all but impossible to get them prescribed in the UK :(Clonazepam with something stimulating is an excellent social stimulant, although be very carefull with this combo.
Opiates also work well for this.
Has anyone had any luck with Nardil by the way?
Note: I'm not advicating the use of GHB, it must be used with caution, however it is great for SA!
Posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2006, at 12:31:24
In reply to Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 18, 2006, at 5:40:47
>nothing to say
I know what you mean. I think I'm just a boring person to be honest :S
Ed
Posted by shasling on June 18, 2006, at 13:06:53
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say. » FrequentFryer, posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2006, at 12:31:24
Actually, in my case social anxiety is not the problem. I sit and stare when I'm home alone as well. It is a feeling of being null and void, like a switch has been turned off or perhaps like having smoked alot of pot or some other drug which causes people to sit and stare. PET scans have shown low dopamine activity during these sit/stare times, primarily in the cingulate something-or-other. The sit and stare, nothing to say does become somewhat embarassing when in social situations, but with me it is not cause, but rather the effect of an underlying brain-firing problem.
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2006, at 14:08:21
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say. » FrequentFryer, posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2006, at 12:31:24
Ha Ha ED I miss you Love PJ O
Posted by fairywings on June 18, 2006, at 18:13:53
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by Tom Twilight on June 18, 2006, at 10:55:23
Geeze, you can't get freaking stimulants for ADD and you can't get benzos for anxiety in the UK, why, I don't get it?! So, all you can get are mood stabilizers, AD's, and antipsychotics? AND you have to be assigned a pdoc? S*cks!
fw
Posted by Declan on June 19, 2006, at 1:13:57
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by MrBrice on June 18, 2006, at 7:32:49
Who thought that one up? Is that amisulpride (Solian here)? What's Dosulpin?
You should see me at parties trying to start up a conversation about projective identification or foreign policy until the vodka gets the better of me. Never learned that chit chat can be fun in such circumstances (at other times it can be OK).
But what makes us feel comfortable? It's a mystery to me. So Dogmatil can help with that?
Declan
Posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 10:32:13
In reply to Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 18, 2006, at 5:40:47
Heh I didnt think I would get any responses to this post.. But yeah you guys know EXACTLY what were all going through. (makes me slightly Anti Depressed :)
Its crazy, I dont even want to admit the amount of time Ive spent laying in bed staring at the wall procrastinating about stupid sh*t, atleast in bed your comfortable thats how I see it. And yeah I think it is mostly Dopamine related.
But yeah anyways on to the meds.
All the Drugs Ive taken legal or not seem to just poop out. (Sure SSRI's and MAOI's last longer then Amphetamines) But the thing is I have this theory on Poop out now. Me personally in the 4 or 5 years Ive been taking Anti-D's I probably havn't been on 1 Anti depressant for more then 2 months, I have been constantly changing, and I always go straight to the maximum dose within a couple of days. I think this can cause Poop to a degree. Theoretically you shouldn't be able to get tollerance to an anti-D but I dont think that is the case.
Anyways I think Ive come up with a solution (maybe). CYCLE YOUR MEDS! Im gonna continue my drug holiday & stay cleen for atleast a month to try and get my body and brian back to base line, then try some diffrent meds or atleast meds I havnt had in a long time {ALLOT OF WHICH YOU PEOPLE HAVE JUST POSTED ABOUT}
Im thinking Abilify might be worth a shot, maybe Buprenorphine or another opiate, stimulants are great for a short while. Hopefully after all this my body will have forgotten how to tollerate Anti-D's and Ill stick to effexor then slowly ween myself of it & then HOPEFULLY by that time I will have such a kick *ss life my brain will be switched onto happiness be default.
Posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 10:37:23
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say. » FrequentFryer, posted by shasling on June 18, 2006, at 5:52:30
Thanks shasling... Abilify & Requip.. Ill be looking into those for sure.
> Isn't that frustrating? You just sit there like some barely animate object, unable to come up with a way to contribute. Its maddening. 5 - 10 mg of Abilify (I think you'd previously asked about dopamine agonists, it is one at low doses)has pretty much eradicated this problem for me - for the first half of the day. Afternoons, evenings I'm a statue again, no matter if I dose again or not, but half days of relief is better than none. Also, on the subject of DA, I just read a post that Requip is very helpful to someone with focus, motivation, etc. Think I'll give that a shot - I'm always on the lookout for a good DA as well... Maybe I can find something that works all day...
>
Posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 11:01:28
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by MrBrice on June 18, 2006, at 7:32:49
Woops, sorry I dont understand the style / layout of this message board. Uncle Bob really needs to update it.
Its about as user friendly as a Tricyclic.
That reminded me of another semi funny thing I thought of the otherday. Imagine you were depressed & went in for a new drug trial but they gave you one of the placebo pills... Then after like 3 months you were like. "Nah this dosnt work, Im depressed, constipated, insomniated and have bad weight gain." then the Doc says "Umm yeah sorry, you were actually taking a placebo pill"..... "WHAT YOU MEEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME IVE BEEN FIGHTING DEPRESSION & YOUV'E JUST BEEN MESSING WITH MY HEAD..... aRRR DAMN IT"
Anyways thanks heaps for all your posts.
This has been by far the most helpfull discussion Ive had in ages.
Posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 11:23:23
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 11:01:28
I dont really like any of the benzos much, I get worse tollerance to them then any drug and they dont do much except slow you down, they enhance alcohol nicely though. But their no where near as good as GHB.
"Clonazepam with something stimulating is an excellent social stimulant"
Oh yeah... Infact Id say its the ultimate. but not very healthy and again tollerance builds very quickly.
Nardil is prolly my favourite Anti-D but it makes you fat & gives you hardcore sexual dysfunction. So I probably prefur Effexor to it actually.
Posted by shasling on June 19, 2006, at 11:24:01
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 11:01:28
> Its about as user friendly as a Tricyclic.
Hah! Is that an inside reference or what? Have to be a member of this damn club to truly get that one. Made me laugh today, thanks.
Best of luck,
Suzie
Posted by SFY on June 19, 2006, at 12:26:36
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say. » FrequentFryer, posted by shasling on June 18, 2006, at 5:52:30
> Isn't that frustrating? You just sit there like some barely animate object, unable to come up with a way to contribute. Its maddening. 5 - 10 mg of Abilify (I think you'd previously asked about dopamine agonists, it is one at low doses)has pretty much eradicated this problem for me - for the first half of the day. Afternoons, evenings I'm a statue again, no matter if I dose again or not, but half days of relief is better than none. Also, on the subject of DA, I just read a post that Requip is very helpful to someone with focus, motivation, etc. Think I'll give that a shot - I'm always on the lookout for a good DA as well... Maybe I can find something that works all day...
>I know this feeling only too well. (And I distinguish the "having nothing to say" feeling from the "my brain is so wrapped up about having nothing to say that it's not coming up with a response" feeling.)
I have yet to try a DA that helped with my focus and motivation issues. My recent trial with Requip and past trials of dextroamphetamine were a flop.
I'm about to add Emsam and see if that does anything.
Posted by shasling on June 19, 2006, at 12:35:49
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by SFY on June 19, 2006, at 12:26:36
> I know this feeling only too well. (And I distinguish the "having nothing to say" feeling from the "my brain is so wrapped up about having nothing to say that it's not coming up with a response" feeling.)
>
> I have yet to try a DA that helped with my focus and motivation issues. My recent trial with Requip and past trials of dextroamphetamine were a flop.
>
> I'm about to add Emsam and see if that does anything.
>
>
I am aware of the same distinction, and it is b&w - its a totally different animal. Its downright freaky how the brain can just stop firing. Ever see that movie Awakenings? - its like that, albeit nowhere near as severe. But its hard not to identify with the condition they presented, in a small way.Anyway, sorry to hear about the Requip, I was kinda having hopes for that. FWIW, selegeline never did a thing for me with respect to this problem. I hope Emsam serves you better...
Suzie
Posted by MrBrice on June 19, 2006, at 14:21:06
In reply to Dogmatil » MrBrice, posted by Declan on June 19, 2006, at 1:13:57
> Who thought that one up? Is that amisulpride (Solian here)? What's Dosulpin?
> You should see me at parties trying to start up a conversation about projective identification or foreign policy until the vodka gets the better of me. Never learned that chit chat can be fun in such circumstances (at other times it can be OK).
> But what makes us feel comfortable? It's a mystery to me. So Dogmatil can help with that?
> Declan
Hey declan,
I can imagine you trying to get the converstation, but the conversation doestn't really go all that smoothly does it? :-) actually its not so funny but we have the see the funny side of it i guess.Yes, dogmatil helps for this, so does dosulpin.
Here's what my doc did:
The dosulpin has to be taken round 8pm, it makes you sleep well and after 2-3 months (pretty long) its also a good antidepressant.
The dogmatil is taken in the morning (first 100mg, then 50mg) and it is not amisulpride, but sulpiride. It makes you indeed more alert, and thus you can get into a situation and have some conversation.
The third medication is xanax, just for the anxiety if you might have it.The three meds are a real good combination, they are not dangerous at all, and indeed, they get you back on track and talking to people, making friends again ;)
My doc is pretty old and told me this: Lots of people don't respond to many of the meds i give them, but when i then go for sulpiride and prothiaden (dosulpin), they are on their way.
Might give it a shot ;)
grtz,
Brice
Posted by MrBrice on June 19, 2006, at 14:26:15
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 10:32:13
> Heh I didnt think I would get any responses to this post.. But yeah you guys know EXACTLY what were all going through. (makes me slightly Anti Depressed :)
> Its crazy, I dont even want to admit the amount of time Ive spent laying in bed staring at the wall procrastinating about stupid sh*t, atleast in bed your comfortable thats how I see it. And yeah I think it is mostly Dopamine related.
> But yeah anyways on to the meds.
> All the Drugs Ive taken legal or not seem to just poop out. (Sure SSRI's and MAOI's last longer then Amphetamines) But the thing is I have this theory on Poop out now. Me personally in the 4 or 5 years Ive been taking Anti-D's I probably havn't been on 1 Anti depressant for more then 2 months, I have been constantly changing, and I always go straight to the maximum dose within a couple of days. I think this can cause Poop to a degree. Theoretically you shouldn't be able to get tollerance to an anti-D but I dont think that is the case.
> Anyways I think Ive come up with a solution (maybe). CYCLE YOUR MEDS! Im gonna continue my drug holiday & stay cleen for atleast a month to try and get my body and brian back to base line, then try some diffrent meds or atleast meds I havnt had in a long time {ALLOT OF WHICH YOU PEOPLE HAVE JUST POSTED ABOUT}
> Im thinking Abilify might be worth a shot, maybe Buprenorphine or another opiate, stimulants are great for a short while. Hopefully after all this my body will have forgotten how to tollerate Anti-D's and Ill stick to effexor then slowly ween myself of it & then HOPEFULLY by that time I will have such a kick *ss life my brain will be switched onto happiness be default.
Hey frequentfryer,please don't go for the opiates man.
I think I know what you're feeling and its not so fun, but opiates might actually f** you up for the rest of your life.
Try maybe what i recommendet to declan: Sulpiride, dosulpin (prothiaden) and maybe some xanax. I bet it might help you very well ;)
You say the bed is the only place you feel comfortable...I know what you're saying, it's just something called anxiousness, it's very well treatable, try to get a benzo and you'll feel comfortable again around people too ;)but don't go for the opiates mate, please don't.
grtz,
Brice
Posted by Declan on June 19, 2006, at 17:20:58
In reply to Re: Dogmatil Declan, posted by MrBrice on June 19, 2006, at 14:21:06
How do you find sulpiride and dosulpin (with which I'm not familiar) sexwise? I've heard people say here that amisulpride (in small doses) was bad that way.
Declan
Posted by Bonnie_CA on June 19, 2006, at 20:23:31
In reply to Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by FrequentFryer on June 18, 2006, at 5:40:47
> Sure Im extremely paranoid as to what people think about me, but I think my main problem is I litterally can't think of anything half decent to talk about with anyone.
> I guess I need more hobbies or something but its so hard because Im really not interested and can't be bothered doing anything.
>
> AAARRRRHH.... Sorry I stopped talking my meds and don't feel much worse but... I dunno....
> Just felt like babbling.
I like reading this, because this just confirms to me the difference between GAD and SAD. I have GAD, and I never have trouble finding something to say. I have more of a problem finding out when to shut up! LOL In fact, the more nervous I get, the more I talk. *sigh* I almost wish it was a social anxiety problem than generalized. Then I wouldn't look like such a moron LOL.-Bonnie
Posted by SFY on June 19, 2006, at 21:40:53
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say. » SFY, posted by shasling on June 19, 2006, at 12:35:49
> I am aware of the same distinction, and it is b&w - its a totally different animal. Its downright freaky how the brain can just stop firing. Ever see that movie Awakenings? - its like that, albeit nowhere near as severe. But its hard not to identify with the condition they presented, in a small way.
>
> Anyway, sorry to hear about the Requip, I was kinda having hopes for that. FWIW, selegeline never did a thing for me with respect to this problem. I hope Emsam serves you better...
>
> SuzieDon't let my experience with Requip stop you from trying it - others have found it helpful. It may be that there are different causes for our dopamine-related issues (mine are SA, anhedonia, amotivation, & dysthymia) that require different treatments.
Low dose selegiline (with phenylalanine supplements) did nothing for me either. As I had a good response to Nardil (but eventually leading to intractable insomnia), I'm hoping that the higher dose provided by Emsam might have a more positive effect.
Good luck!
Posted by FrequentFryer on June 19, 2006, at 22:05:30
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say. ferquentfry, posted by MrBrice on June 19, 2006, at 14:26:15
Ok thanks Brice. I wont go for the Opiates.
I have tried Amisulpride before and it didn't do anything. Sulpride isn't much different from Amisulpride is it?
Also do TCA's work better then SSRI's for some?
Ive never given a TCA a fair trial because of side effects.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on June 20, 2006, at 1:51:26
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by Bonnie_CA on June 19, 2006, at 20:23:31
You know, after thinking about it harder, while I have no problem talking in person, I am terrified on the phone with strangers. I don't know why. Doesn't exactly classify me as SAD, but in that respect, I can understand not being able to articulate thoughts due to anxiety. I get anxious and I'm afraid I'll say something stupid. But it's only the phone. Hmm.
Like every other person has posted before, it's your anxiety causing you to clam up, and it's not your fault. I'm sure the right med will straighten that out, and perhaps some CBT.
-Bonnie
>
>
> I like reading this, because this just confirms to me the difference between GAD and SAD. I have GAD, and I never have trouble finding something to say. I have more of a problem finding out when to shut up! LOL In fact, the more nervous I get, the more I talk. *sigh* I almost wish it was a social anxiety problem than generalized. Then I wouldn't look like such a moron LOL.
>
> -Bonnie
>
Posted by mike lynch on June 20, 2006, at 3:18:26
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by Bonnie_CA on June 20, 2006, at 1:51:26
Could the meds be causing the problem of ones personality being "dull"?? There's so many different possibilities, it could be the result of the anxiety not allowing you to share anything you would want to contribute, or it could be as easy as just not having anything to say, and the anxiety not being an issue. What is unfortunate for me is that, I would benefit off meds that allow me to articulate my thoughts to people, without refraining to do so for whatever reason, but when I go on the meds, some parts of my personality seem drained, so even when I'm willing to do things that I usually wouldn't socially.. the meds just dullen my personality. Maybe the reason for the dullnes is the meds, you'd probably be pretty clear on that though
Posted by Tom Twilight on June 20, 2006, at 9:50:44
In reply to Re: Social Anxiety and nothing to say., posted by mike lynch on June 20, 2006, at 3:18:26
Just wanted to say that I'm not advocating the use of Opiates to treat Social Anxiety!
Its one of those cases where the cure is far worse than the disease!
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