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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emeline on August 29, 2003, at 14:01:39
I think I'm a social phobic. I wrote a long and involved post about this and then got mixed up with registration confirmation and deleted it... The truth is I don't think I'm just a social phobic - I think I have many problems.
At school I have only two friends I can talk to, other people I avoid. I can't stand looking them in the eyes and I develop a terrible anxiety when I know I'm going to be in a situation with people I don't know. I seem to produce extra saliva, I have to swallow or move my tongue about - I must seem so strange. I also have terrible "tantrums" as my mum puts it. I smash and break things if I am unfairly accused of something or if my sister hits me. I am of above-average intelligence if that's at all relevant, but I'm also just a young teenager.
Someone please help.
Posted by chewy on August 29, 2003, at 15:26:30
In reply to Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Emeline on August 29, 2003, at 14:01:39
My oldest son had some problems adjusting to social situations. He got some help from the school pshchologist and met with him once a week for most of the school year.
The teenage years can be a rough ride with a lot of ups and downs. Finding someone like a therapist can help shine a light into some of the darkness!
Posted by TheOutsider on August 29, 2003, at 16:56:45
In reply to Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Emeline on August 29, 2003, at 14:01:39
Being a teenager can be prity rough!
I developed social phobia in my teenage years and it is very unpleasant.
But you should be proud of yourself for acknowlaging that you have a problem! That can be half the battle.
It sounds like you should find a good pherapist and a good Pdoc.
Remember however bleak things seem and however hopeless you feel about your self if your commitment to dealing with your problems is strong you will be succseful!
At least be grateful you live in America (I assume) were mental health is taken seriesly, in the UK half the doctors don't think social phobia is 'real' at all.
Posted by Janejj on August 29, 2003, at 17:19:55
In reply to Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Emeline on August 29, 2003, at 14:01:39
Emeline,
Sorry you are having such rough time, social phobia is a horrible condition, especially so in the teenage years in my opinion. There is help avalible though, so please don't ever give up hope. Firstly there are a couple of antidepressants that I can think of that supposedly help with social phobia, they are Paxil and Prozac, I think there may be more though. Also some of the benzodiazepams (sp?) can help such as klonopin.Also helpful are different kinds of therapies, such as CBT. CBT can retrain your mind, so that you deal with uncomfortable situations better, thus relieveing anxiety.
You should really go see a doctor and discuss these things, cos there is no point in suffering.
About the 'tantrums',this sounds like your way of dealing with anger, I often do the same thing out of frustration. You need to find a way of dealing with your anger in a more productive way. Like sitting down and talking over with the person why you are hurt and upset.
Hope this helps a little and I hope you manage to find some help. There are so many ways that you can be treated to overcome this and remember you are definitely not alone.
Take care, janejj
Posted by Budgie on August 29, 2003, at 19:59:56
In reply to Re: Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Janejj on August 29, 2003, at 17:19:55
Hi Emeline,
I've been fighting Social anxiety since my early college days. It's definitely tough, and I can only imagine what going through high school with it is like. Yikes!
The good news is, there are medications and therapies that can help- so like everyone else is saying, go talk to a therapist. It's good that you're as aware of it as you are, and that you want to do something positive to make it better, rather than seeking out self-destructive behavior (drugs, etc.) to temporarily cover it up. Please remember this, especially as you get close to college! I'm sure many, many people on this board can attest to this.
If you go the medication route, too, you'll probably start off, as was mentioned, with Paxil or something like that. If it helps, great, if not, don't be afraid to keep trying. There are many many meds out there, and it can take a while to find the right one/ones.
Finally, try not to isolate yourself too much, even though it's hard. At the very least keep posting here and asking for advice. There are some smart and expereinced people here (not that I'm one of them!).
Best wishes,
Budgie
Posted by marip on August 30, 2003, at 3:03:24
In reply to Re: Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Budgie on August 29, 2003, at 19:59:56
I just wanted to offer a word about social phobia--It definitely sucks--Ive suffered from it for the past five years with the only relief really coming from brief periods on certain meds when they worked for me--prozac was the best for it--it would be worth a try--though it did stop working for me after a few months. Wellbutrin has had the longest lasting effect for me, though its taken almost 6 months on it to fully notice reduced social anxiety.
You mentioned excess saliva--I have a thing with sweating when I have to talk to people--often on the coldest days I can still get really clammy hands and a layer of dripping sweat on my back.
Hang in there though--the earlier you realize that theres not something wrong with you but that you have a psycho-biological condition, the sooner you will be ale to get the help you need and heal. good luck.
marip
Posted by Emeline on August 30, 2003, at 3:42:26
In reply to Re: Teenage Social Phobic, posted by TheOutsider on August 29, 2003, at 16:56:45
I quote:
> At least be grateful you live in America (I assume) were mental health is taken seriesly, in the UK half the doctors don't think social phobia is 'real' at all.Thanks, but I do live in the UK. :( It can't be that bad can it?
Posted by Emeline on August 30, 2003, at 3:54:09
In reply to Re: Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Emeline on August 30, 2003, at 3:42:26
Thanks, you guys - really thanks. There's something slightly ironic about me not being able to discuss this with close family and only strangers - but still thanks a lot.
I have now decided I should probably speak to my GP about this, but is there much he will be able to do? I live in Britain, and there doesn't seem to be as much emphasis on medication here - plus I'm not 16 yet so some stuff might not be suitable.
Has anyone else realised the unfairness in the fact that you have to visit a doctor in the first place? It's like sending an arachnophobic through a spider-filled tunnel to reach a therapist. I guess there's no other way, I'll just have to phsyche myself up... I'm always torn between sending these thoughts to the back of my mind or trying to review the situation. Even if I do get help, people might still think I'm a weirdo (a stupid word but I can't think of anything else). I've been introverted and "aloof" for three years of highschool - people will be a little suspicious if I suddenly talk to them, won't they? Did anyone else have this problem?Thanks Again ;)
Posted by Sebastian on August 31, 2003, at 20:01:34
In reply to Re: Teenage Social Phobic, posted by Emeline on August 30, 2003, at 3:54:09
Best bet is don't worry what people think.
This happend to me when I was finishing high school. I witnessed a big accident, was told to see a psychologist, I felt weird about it, did go for a few sessions and though I was fine. Slowely I cut myself off from people untill I went full blown psychotic. I went to the hospital droped out of school and took lots of medicine. I had the easyest time talking to people when I take medicine, still I don't like it. But the best thing to do is take meds and stay on them, and talk to people. When you send those thoughts to the back of your head its not good.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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