Social Anxiety

**sarge** · June-07-09, 08:36 PM

Do any forumers have any experience with this or with someone afflicted with this? I have a step-child who is so afflicted and it had/has me at wit's end.........

cheddar bob · June-07-09, 09:16 PM

My advice on how to cure social anxieties and most other psychological problems would go something like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

ccbatson · June-07-09, 10:49 PM

Cognitive behavioral therapy with professional guidance, sometimes medication [[an SSRI like Zoloft) for particular acute cases. Be aware that the problem can lead to agoraphobia and that, even if the symptoms persist, there is great value in the reassurance that comes from having a child understand that it isn't their fault.

**Pam** · June-08-09, 07:19 AM

Bats is right, for a change. Seek professional help.

**DocTerry** · June-08-09, 09:23 AM

Also agree - and please make sure the provider is someone with expertise working with kids in the same age group [[e.g., working with adolescents is different from working with younger kids). I would also add...please make sure it is a mental health provider, not the family doc. If medications are appropriate, the family doc may take over prescribing them down the road, but at least initially, it is important to work with someone with specialized training and experience in order to have the best chance of getting the best possible long-term outcomes.

**gibran** · June-08-09, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by ccbatson

Cognitive behavioral therapy with professional guidance, sometimes medication [[an SSRI like Zoloft) for particular acute cases. Be aware that the problem can lead to agoraphobia and that, even if the symptoms persist, there is great value in the reassurance that comes from having a child understand that it isn't their fault.

absolutely spot on

**Detroitnerd** · June-08-09, 10:02 AM

A shot of whiskey might help.

**gibran** · June-08-09, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jaberwocky

It is amazing the level of insensitivity on this thread. Mental illness is a serious problem and "just stop it" and "have a shot of whisky" is ignorant in the extreme.

true..the spot on wasin regrards to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy...that helps identify the thoughts that are distracting and counterproductive...if people would treat Mental Health issues without the stigma, more people would feel comfortable seeking help and without the negative attitudes on the labels attached to behavioral issues more people would feel comfortable discussing ways to accomodate and transition people into the community better. A negative view of disability is constructed by society, therefore it's effects can be mediated and attitudes re-constructed...

I always see a disability is an accommodation waiting to be discovered and should not be a defining part of the person- no more than their hieght or hair color...they are people first and their disability is part of the person ...we tend to label people without understanding that their are no two people exactly the same, only that they have similar characteristics..

**jams** · June-08-09, 12:35 PM

Thank you Jaberwocky and Gibran [[and Sarge, for starting this thread)

If one has a physical disability, there is much sympathy and understanding about the limitations of that individual, yet a mental health issue, which may be just as debilitating, is met with derision and contempt.

Add to that, the ends to which an individual goes to hide their condition from others adds even greater pressure upon that individual to appear normal.

**sarge** · June-08-09, 03:29 PM

Thanks for all the responses to date. The step-child is 21, BTW.

ccbatson · June-08-09, 03:38 PM

21 is adult as far as treatment goes and changes some things [[for the better). The ability to grasp the concepts makes the cognitive therapy far more effective.

**DW313512** · June-08-09, 04:05 PM

I have had panic disorder for 15 years. I endured agorophoia and anxiety attacks that were disabling.. I took buspar and paxil plus xanax to get to a level where I could function. I still use xanax when needed. I agree with the advice to get professional help, You will have to go to a psychiatrist as only they can prescribe RXs. It may take a bit of adjusting to get the right amount of the medicines so stick with it. Also, I agree with getting counseling. It is hard situation to live with and I hope you can get help for your stepchild. Back then it was not easy to find someone who dealt with anxiety. Good luck.

ccbatson · June-08-09, 04:09 PM

It is a cheesy infomercial based company, but I believe there is some modest value in identification with others afflicted to be gained by looking into the "midwest anxiety clinic" I think that is what it is called from hearing the commercials.

**Maxine1958** · June-08-09, 04:30 PM

I don't really have anything new to add, but I'd like to comment on this issue.

In the past I was diagnosed as clinically depressed. One aspect of my symptoms was to isolate myself. I cannot stress enough the importance of acceptance and support of family and friends. It's true that mental illness in any form isn't viewed in the same light as physical illness, so when the patient can see that the people around him accept him and support his diagnosis and treatment, it goes a long way towards helping that treatment succeed. The less the person feels judged and pitied, the better they will begin to feel about them selves and their recovery.

Good luck to you and your stepson.

**gibran** · June-08-09, 06:28 PM

maxine you added a lot with your humanity an dinsight ..we need open disscussion to let those hwo have Mental Health issues they are not alone and second we value them first as people,,,

Lorax · June-08-09, 08:28 PM

Contrary to anything CCBatty says, I'd stay away from any drugs approved under the Bush administration's FDA, since they just about broke the back of that agency due to their hatred of all things government.

If you've noticed, just about every new "illness" is accompanied by a new drug, courtesy of the fascist run big pharmaceuticals.

How many of us had "peripheral artery disease" or "restless leg syndrome" or any number of syndromes before there was a new drug invented for it? Most of these have been discredited, including Vioxx and others that were killing people. Most have been pulled as well. Next will be the statin drugs, Lipitor, Crestor, etc., which I wouldn't take if my life depended on it.

Stay away from Nutrasweet, Splenda, Olestra, etc. These will kill you, as will high fructose corn syrup.

Sacchrine is OK, as is sugar, refined or otherwise.

Hell, big pharma even went after onions and garlic, with "studies" saying they did nothing to lower cholestrol, which they do, so I eat them daily.

At least erectile dysfunction would explain why Batts is such a radical, but, hey, they have a pill for that now too!

**Jimaz** · June-08-09, 08:39 PM

I'd stay away from any drugs approved under the Bush administration's FDA, since they just about broke the back of that agency ...

No kidding. I saw a commercial tonight for a prescription drug that claimed it would make your eyelashes grow faster. I am not making that up.

**Gannon** · June-08-09, 08:46 PM

I shudder the thought of an overdose...

**Gannon** · June-08-09, 08:47 PM

...honey, I think little Susie is on drugs.

She can hardly even blink.

**Gannon** · June-08-09, 08:50 PM

At least erectile dysfunction would explain why Batts is such a radical, but, hey, they have a pill for that now too!

Ah, but the masses still have watermelon...and orange juice...and a host of other natural things that solve the same problems!

Mother Nature is socialist!

**jams** · June-08-09, 09:26 PM

Growing plants will make you a Communist.

**Detroitej72** · June-08-09, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

No kidding. I saw a commercial tonight for a prescription drug that claimed it would make your eyelashes grow faster. I am not making that up.

I always cringe during the commercials when they start to list the possible side effects, loss of sleep, too much sleep, headache, nausea, increase in sex drive, decrease in sex drive, and one of my all time favorites for restless leg syndrome, may cause the urge to gamble!

Does anyone else think maybe the side effects are worse than the condition?

**Gannon** · June-08-09, 09:40 PM

Actually...I'd bet all we have to do is peruse the record for the drugs that had 'increased growth of eye lashes' as the number one side effect...to learn what this drug was originally marketed toward...Cc, you've got the database...

Lorax · June-08-09, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

...honey, I think little Susie is on drugs.

She can hardly even blink.

I think that was Joan Rivers.

I hear the eyelash drug is used to calm the side effects of facial surgery- guess Joan and little Susie can now whisper in their own ears. And blink their lips.

Lorax · June-08-09, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitej72

I always cringe during the commercials when they start to list the possible side effects, loss of sleep, too much sleep, headache, nausea, increase in sex drive, decrease in sex drive, and one of my all time favorites for restless leg syndrome, may cause the urge to gamble!

Does anyone else think maybe the side effects are worse than the condition?

I hear the side effects of Republicanism is rather like Erectile Dysfunction, but you'd have to have a pecker to be afflicted in the first place. The dickless need not apply.

This is a problem for John Boner.

Yeah, I know people pronounce it "Bayner", but as I was taught, when two vowels go walking, first one does the talking!

I'm just sayin'!!!