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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by letterbox on September 25, 2009, at 2:29:24
Anyone here have fear of authority figures, even your boss or managers? Any time I'm in a room alone with one of them, I get a panic attack, turn blotchy or am full of anxious thoughts and have a hard time concentrating on the conversation. I am on meds (effexor, invega, clonazepam) but nothing helps yet. I am off work at the moment because I keep having breakdowns everytime there is a confrontation or stressful event. I also have problems concentrating on my work and can't get things done.
Posted by sowhysosad on September 25, 2009, at 9:43:50
In reply to Fear of Authority, posted by letterbox on September 25, 2009, at 2:29:24
> Anyone here have fear of authority figures, even your boss or managers?
I've had a similar issue with authority figures, although the symptoms have been much milder.
For me it's always worse when depression kicks in and my self esteem takes a hit.
It's way less of an issue when the depression goes into remission and I get my confidence back.
Posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2009, at 12:04:14
In reply to Re: Fear of Authority, posted by sowhysosad on September 25, 2009, at 9:43:50
I experience remission only on benzos for years then with paxil l0mg and benzos l5 years and none. Never had a problem with authority figures though at least yet. Phillipa
Posted by sowhysosad on September 25, 2009, at 14:45:05
In reply to Re: Fear of Authority » sowhysosad, posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2009, at 12:04:14
> Never had a problem with authority figures though at least yet.
That's good news. It really sucks when it interferes with your performance in a work environment.
Weirdly my soon-to-be-ex wife - who's as confident as you like in any social environment - still suffers from this fear of authority.
Posted by linkadge on September 26, 2009, at 11:48:28
In reply to Fear of Authority, posted by letterbox on September 25, 2009, at 2:29:24
I would keep the effexor and clonazepam but look to drop the invega. Invega is an antipsychotic. It blocks dopamine receptors which can make some people feel more inferior and less assertive.
Thats just my opinion.
Linkadge
Posted by letterbox on September 28, 2009, at 2:03:19
In reply to Re: Fear of Authority, posted by linkadge on September 26, 2009, at 11:48:28
Linkadge,
Thanks for your input. Effexor actually gave me hypomania and then stopped working for depression and my anxiety and I was at the highest dose for seven months, so I have to go off it.
If I have severe anxiety, which causes me to shake and turn blotchy, my voice shakes and I get a panic attack, wouldn't a dopamine blocker reduce my anxiety? Dopamine is what causes stimulation, a precursor to adrenaline. Too much dopamine can also cause paranoia, which is what I am experiencing when I'm with my bosses and other people in general- fear they are judging me, being evaluated, that they hate me and my work etc.
I also get hypomania - I get very hyper, super happy and goofy and take on too much stuff in my professional and personal life. Then I have a breakdown and am severely depressed. Effexor increases hypomania in bipolar patients. The severe anxiety is part and parcel of bipolar II during both phases, mostly during the depressive phase, which lasts the longest.
This is the end of the thread.
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