[vintagexsoul]

Is anyone using medication to treat their social anxiety? How well is it working for you? I'd like to try and get on some medication to treat my social anxiety along with the therapy workbook I'm using. I'm a bit nervous, however, as Abilify caused me to have seizures...which I guess is a rare and extreme reaction to a medication. But I'm willing to risk going through all of that, all over again, if it means some of my suffering is relieved.

[Nike007]

Hello. I use medication for social anxiety. I am unsure if it was the medication or therapy, but I am more outgoing than before. I don't fear doing as many social activities than before. For example, I could never use a public washroom due to the people or being able to raise my hand in class without major anxiety and now I can do both no problem. I wouldn't use an antipsychotic though to treat social anxiety. The most common thing is an SSRI, then SNRI, then an anxiety medication. Unless you can't use an SSRI or SNRI due to another medication condition (allergies, bipolar disorder, etc.), then anxiety medication would be for that. Anyways, I hope this helps

[LucyG]

Look into treating your anxiety disorder naturally with amino acids and other nutrients that provide your brain with the nutrients it needs to produce the neurotransmitters it needs to keep you calm.

Here's a great book on treating anxiety naturally.

The Anxiety Epidemic by Bille Sahley, PhD-painstress

This is the largest non-drug mental health web site with tons of articles and links.

Alternative Mental Health

I'm on a low dose (100mg) of sulpiride (an anti-psychotic) - my Pdoc says it's to reduce obsessive worry and for a disinhibition effect. I'm also on 45mg amitrypline, and have 0.5mg lorazapem (generic Ativan) to use when needed. You can check this site for some of the medications people use - https://www.patientslikeme.com/conditions/26

[vintagexsoul]

Thank you. These are all wonderful recommendations for me to sift through.

[Jadenmia1]

Originally Posted by vintagexsoul

Is anyone using medication to treat their social anxiety? How well is it working for you? I'd like to try and get on some medication to treat my social anxiety along with the therapy workbook I'm using. I'm a bit nervous, however, as Abilify caused me to have seizures...which I guess is a rare and extreme reaction to a medication. But I'm willing to risk going through all of that, all over again, if it means some of my suffering is relieved.

I'm in the same boat. I'm tired of being so anxious and avoidant.. I'd really like to go further with treatment as in medication but am very nervous. I started Paxil 4 years ago for anxiety and it made me lose my mind!! The anxiety increased 10000x and I hallucinated and vomited non stop.

I'm now pretty scared to try anything else the therapy worked well into getting me feeling a little better than low. But I am still so anxious.

[vintagexsoul]

Originally Posted by Jadenmia1

I'm in the same boat. I'm tired of being so anxious and avoidant.. I'd really like to go further with treatment as in medication but am very nervous. I started Paxil 4 years ago for anxiety and it made me lose my mind!! The anxiety increased 10000x and I hallucinated and vomited non stop.

I'm now pretty scared to try anything else the therapy worked well into getting me feeling a little better than low. But I am still so anxious.

CBT is said to be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders. I would recommend looking into that...hopefully it will help me, but changes don't occur over night. Its something you have to stick with and work at every day, over time. The seizures I went through at work were a nightmare....I ended up in a neurology clinic, being tested and all sorts of things. Thinking I was developing MS or Parkinsons. Some of us are more sensitive to medication than others. It's always a gamble, but there could be a medication that will help. Or above, there are natural remedies you can look into as well, that someone posted links too.

[Jadenmia1]

Originally Posted by vintagexsoul

CBT is said to be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders. I would recommend looking into that...hopefully it will help me, but changes don't occur over night. Its something you have to stick with and work at every day, over time. The seizures I went through at work were a nightmare....I ended up in a neurology clinic, being tested and all sorts of things. Thinking I was developing MS or Parkinsons. Some of us are more sensitive to medication than others. It's always a gamble, but there could be a medication that will help. Or above, there are natural remedies you can look into as well, that someone posted links too.

I went through the CBT therapy, but I don't think me and my therapist connected, if that makes sense. I have moved so now I'm looking into finding another therapist and hopefully get back on track.
I cannot imagine having to go through the worry of a major health problem during on top of trying to overcome your anxiety.
My parents are both on lexapro and said it worked wonders and they have never felt better. After 1 year of therapy and medication they are both tapering off.
I am going to try the amino acids before medication though. It's the first natural approach that I have looked into that makes any sense. At this point, meditation, eating clean and exercise hasn't even come close to helping. Maybe lifting my mood enough to function and stop obsessing, yes. But the anxiety, fear that I have of answering my phone, talking to strangers, leaving my house at all, is definitely still going strong. It's exhausting and the fact alone that I haven't done anything with my life yet because I'm terrified to go to school, is depressing.

[vintagexsoul]

It was honestly...the worst 3-4 months of this year...of the past 5 years. But its over and I no longer worry that I'm developing a serious neurological disorder.

Is some of this agoraphobia too? I truly hope you can find a therapist that will be able to help you with this anxiety. Yours is more severe than mine. I think it takes a lot of baby steps, but I wish I had a solution. I'm confident you will overcome your anxiety at some point. Focus on what you are good at, for now, or master something you have an interest in. That way you are doing something with your life, even if you're not working yet or doing school yet.

[Jadenmia1]

Originally Posted by vintagexsoul

It was honestly...the worst 3-4 months of this year...of the past 5 years. But its over and I no longer worry that I'm developing a serious neurological disorder.

Is some of this agoraphobia too? I truly hope you can find a therapist that will be able to help you with this anxiety. Yours is more severe than mine. I think it takes a lot of baby steps, but I wish I had a solution. I'm confident you will overcome your anxiety at some point. Focus on what you are good at, for now, or master something you have an interest in. That way you are doing something with your life, even if you're not working yet or doing school yet.

Well I'm glad you are over that tough time!! How scary for you.
Thank you for the well wishes. I don't know if It's as severe as agoraphobia. I don't have panic attacks if I leave the house.. I just feel extremely uncomfortable. So actually leaving the house can be tough. But most of the time when I do make it out, usually somewhere I'm comfortable with, I'm okay. But yeah, if it's somewhere unfamiliar, I'm a mess.
I hope I can conquer this horrible illness and I hope you find the treatment best suited for you good luck