Quote:
Originally Posted by skyscraper
Hi
I was told by my old therapist that there's a possibility that I could have social anxiety disorder. I wasn't all too sure about that because I've never had a panic attack before. When I see the word ''anxiety'', I automatically think panic attacks. I know that I'm socially inept and awkward, but I was just wondering if it is possible to have S.A.D and not have panic attacks?
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Sky, I am not a psychologist but I can give you my opinion on your diagnosis if you list your symptoms. You do not have to have panic attacks to be social phobic. Panic is a separate disorder that can be associated with social phobia when it is severe.
A lot of people with SA have anxiety "spikes" instead of attacks. They feel an intense surge in anxiety, red face, tingles, chills of dread/shame down their spine, sweating, shaking, stuttering perhaps, and usually intense depression. This is associated with an over-powering need to extricate themselves from the situation causing that feeling. Spikes are different from panic attacks in that they don't completely overwhelm a person to the point of collapse or near collapse. It's primarily a difference of degree.