[bintuae]

I took Paxil before. It did lessen my social anxiety. I could see myself more confident, however it made me not interested in seeking out social situations or marinating any relationship. For example, I'd befriend someone then after a month or two I'd barely talk to him/her. I'd even say to myself: "I hope she doesn't come in today." The other person could sense that, so she starts distancing herself of course gradually.

This hurts me because I do it subconsciously. I want friends but at the same time I don't want to keep socializing with them. To me, maintaining any relationship is a chore. Anyone who considers me as her/his true friend makes me stressed out. I'm 100% sure that its the med that causes this, as I was the opposite prior to taking this ****.

I hope someone could relate here.

P.S the doc suggested Pristiq. What do you think?

[tydygy]

I used to take Paxil and can understand not wanting to be around people on it. I didn't figure Paxil was a cause or it just wasn't that acute for me. I'm also at an age or place in life where I like to be alone a lot.

There are lots of ADs (antidepressants) out there that you can try. I never tried Pristiq.
I've been on many though.

I was very social on Welbutrin. I was also in my 20s and 30s. It was my favorite AD.

[kkrrhh]

Nardil has been the only pro-social med for me.

[bintuae]

Originally Posted by tydygy

I used to take Paxil and can understand not wanting to be around people on it. I didn't figure Paxil was a cause or it just wasn't that acute for me. I'm also at an age or place in life where I like to be alone a lot.

There are lots of ADs (antidepressants) out there that you can try. I never tried Pristiq.
I've been on many though.

I was very social on Welbutrin. I was also in my 20s and 30s. It was my favorite AD.

Doesn't WB aggravate anxiety and irritability?

[*Laurie*]

I think that any medication that relieves depression and anxiety will also, possibly, make you feel more like socializing.

[tydygy]

Originally Posted by bintuae

Doesn't WB aggravate anxiety and irritability?

Not for me it didn't. It seemed pretty mild to me compared to other ADs. It may in other people.

I should qualify that I took name brand Welbutrin...when it went generic, I went psychotic. I got back on the name brand and was better again.

None, but Lexapro helps my social anxiety so going out is easier now.

[bintuae]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I think that any medication that relieves depression and anxiety will also, possibly, make you feel more like socializing.

Ikr? I wish that was the case for me. It's weird how Paxil have affected me(I also took Prozac which didn't help in this regard.) People may have experienced it but are not aware that the med is the culprit. I was one until a user in another forum pointed that out. This is the only thing I hate about Paxil.

[AncientMelody]

maybe your just not a social person? I mean treating anxiety is one thing, but you don't HAVE to have a set number of social relationships. If this is something that is particularly concerning to you, I think you might have more luck discussing it with a therapist than finding a "magic bullet"

An alternative is to look into groups for socializing with similar interests or communal activity but yet do not obligate you the way close friendships do. ie: book clubs, church services, open-mic nights at a coffee shop,walking groups. etc. then if you are interested in companionship on a particular time, plan to go to the next service or meeting but you don't "owe" these members a phone call or time to cry on your shoulder as you would with closer relationships

[glrizzz]

Ditto on nardil--google it as is the gold standard for social phobia and treatment resistant depression.