Posted by mattdds on August 31, 2003, at 0:44:31
In reply to Facial twitches in SA, posted by Budgie on August 30, 2003, at 22:27:38
Hi Chris,
Sounds like the tics are causing you a great deal of distress. Sorry to hear that.
I can sort of relate. I was raised with the belief that I should always smile at people in social situations. So, often, I will smile so much (perhaps a defense mechanism for nervousness or insecurity) that my facial muscles get very fatigued, and the corners of my mouth start to twitch. I've looked in the mirror, and they don't seem noticible though. But a part of me believes people see right through me. This led to a spiral of worsening anxiety and more twitching.
The way you described yours sounds like they are more noticible than mine. Have others commented on it? Are they obviously visible to anyone else?
My hypothesis? We just get better at "hiding" our underlying SA as we get older, unless we work on the core beliefs (or biological problems) that lead to them. You mentioned you got rid of most of your symptoms except the facial tics. Perhaps you still have the same insecurities you've always had, but have just gotten somewhat better at controlling the physiological anxiety response?
Benzos may very well help, because they have muscle relaxing properties. Valium, in particular has this property. Klonopin, to a lesser degree has it, but I think tolerance builds to this effect.
Much more importantly, benzos may get to the heart of the anxiety that is provoking them in the first place. And tolerance typically does *not* build to anxiolytic effects in benzos.
I would also recommend CBT. Not because CBT will directly reduce the tics, but because you may be able to reduce your anxiety a bit about them. It may help to break the cycle of anxiety --> tics --> more anxiety (about tics) --> more tics!
In other words attack this with all guns blazing, so to speak. I have some specific cognitive therapy techniques which worked for me. Medications also certainly could help.
Best of luck,
Matt
P.s. Have you ruled out any neurological problems? I doubt that is the cause, but if it were, it would change things a bit. Yours sound like they are 100% anxiety induced.
poster:mattdds
thread:255797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030828/msgs/255829.html