Can SAD be cured
- Thread starter wise_wind
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YellowBird
Well-known member
i have the same question,i've had it for 6 years in a severe state and i've been on this forum and groups on fb for a long time and i don't know anyone who got better,i wish someone could be upfront with me so i can kill myself now,why would they feed us hope like that and have us fighting like hell for something that can't be fixed?
Earthcircle
Well-known member
I think it's grown milder through the years. But I also think it can fluctuate, improving then getting worse again then perhaps improving again.
social anxiety DISORDER cannot be cured...milder forms of social anxiety can likely be glossed over for the most part with therapy and medication but even then, traces will still be here and there..
i have done a lot of forced exposure therapy and whatnot, improved social skills and my appearance and i have improved in a few areas of my social anxiety but in other areas, i have gotten worse..i have found the natural progression of age and 'missed opportunities' on their own cause social anxiety get worse and this is one area i have not even begin to figure out how to overcome..i dont think it can be tbh..
i have done a lot of forced exposure therapy and whatnot, improved social skills and my appearance and i have improved in a few areas of my social anxiety but in other areas, i have gotten worse..i have found the natural progression of age and 'missed opportunities' on their own cause social anxiety get worse and this is one area i have not even begin to figure out how to overcome..i dont think it can be tbh..
i also personally find it strange how some people only have had it for a few years, i have had social anxiety my entire life, since kindergarten and probably earlier..for those that have only had it since their teens or 20s, id say their chances of overcoming are much better than people like me who have had it for their entire lives..
PugofCrydee
You want to know how I got these scars?
While I'm not sure SA can be 'cured' as such, I do believe it can be beaten.
SA is a learned behavior.
When -for whatever reason- we feel threatened or insecure, naturally we look to feel safer.
When it comes to social interaction, most of us will make ourselves feel 'safer' by removing the 'threat'. Even if this means removing the social interaction altogether.
Usually SA treatment comes in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy, from a licensed and fully accredited Psychologist.
Their job is to try to help us unlearn those self defeating, protective behaviors.
They can be very effective.
BUT...
The person seeking help can only improve if they truly want to. The old saying 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink' is fitting for the treatment for SA sufferers.
Unlearning the negative thinking behaviors that have had years to set in isn't easy.
That's why therapy usually takes time, years even.
Personally, the small improvements I have made to my thinking process has made my life much more bearable. I'm certainly not 'cured', but I'm not fighting that war inside my head as intensely each and every day
SA is a learned behavior.
When -for whatever reason- we feel threatened or insecure, naturally we look to feel safer.
When it comes to social interaction, most of us will make ourselves feel 'safer' by removing the 'threat'. Even if this means removing the social interaction altogether.
Usually SA treatment comes in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy, from a licensed and fully accredited Psychologist.
Their job is to try to help us unlearn those self defeating, protective behaviors.
They can be very effective.
BUT...
The person seeking help can only improve if they truly want to. The old saying 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink' is fitting for the treatment for SA sufferers.
Unlearning the negative thinking behaviors that have had years to set in isn't easy.
That's why therapy usually takes time, years even.
Personally, the small improvements I have made to my thinking process has made my life much more bearable. I'm certainly not 'cured', but I'm not fighting that war inside my head as intensely each and every day
Earthcircle
Well-known member
I have always had it, and have trouble even imagining what life would be like without it. Confidence in social situations? I don't feel that I even have the right.
I believe it can and I have been 98 percent cured
Mine was severe in that it crippled my life and I couldn't function normally but I got over it through exposure. Its what they recommend for other phobias. Its the only way you will develop your social skills and learn that your perceptions of yourself are usually wrong.
Its easier said than done I know everyone suffers to different degrees but id recommend it. I really really struggled at first and lots of times felt like turning back and hiding away again but if you really want to get over it you need to put the hard work in to get the benefit.
I don't think medication or therapy can cure it only exposure can. Those things just make it easier to deal with the situation but don't improve it.
Having said that though they might be a good way with helping you along the way to exposing yourself to more social situations so Id recommend trying them.
It took me years its a slow process but its possible so don't give up if its what you really want.
Mine was severe in that it crippled my life and I couldn't function normally but I got over it through exposure. Its what they recommend for other phobias. Its the only way you will develop your social skills and learn that your perceptions of yourself are usually wrong.
Its easier said than done I know everyone suffers to different degrees but id recommend it. I really really struggled at first and lots of times felt like turning back and hiding away again but if you really want to get over it you need to put the hard work in to get the benefit.
I don't think medication or therapy can cure it only exposure can. Those things just make it easier to deal with the situation but don't improve it.
Having said that though they might be a good way with helping you along the way to exposing yourself to more social situations so Id recommend trying them.
It took me years its a slow process but its possible so don't give up if its what you really want.
R3K
Well-known member
brain transplant
onehandclapping
Well-known member
I think a lot depends on your personal circumstances.
I believe it can and I have been 98 percent cured
Mine was severe in that it crippled my life and I couldn't function normally but I got over it through exposure. Its what they recommend for other phobias. Its the only way you will develop your social skills and learn that your perceptions of yourself are usually wrong.
Its easier said than done I know everyone suffers to different degrees but id recommend it. I really really struggled at first and lots of times felt like turning back and hiding away again but if you really want to get over it you need to put the hard work in to get the benefit.
I don't think medication or therapy can cure it only exposure can. Those things just make it easier to deal with the situation but don't improve it.
Having said that though they might be a good way with helping you along the way to exposing yourself to more social situations so Id recommend trying them.
It took me years its a slow process but its possible so don't give up if its what you really want.
if exposure to social situations made SA go away, the mine would have went away a long time ago..in fact, i have read where exposure therapy can actually make certai types of SA folks worse..there are many variables when it comes to SA, one size or method doesnt ft all..
ImNotMyIllness
Well-known member
Cured? I don't think so. Improved, yes. I think if steps aren't taken to get it under control it can also turn into full blown agoraphobia.
Bsammy I totally agree no-one really knows the cause of SA so no-one knows if there is a real cure. What works for some doesn't work for others like you say there are too many variables.
All I know is it worked for me in improving my situation. My solution was to move cities and throw myself into a highly social job. I got so sick of living with my parents, having no friends, no real job and in my eyes no future so I took a gamble. I actually got worse for the first year and turned to alcoholism was a freak to my work collegues but I stuck with it. Didn't ever think it would work out it took years. Its something worth trying I think as it worked out for me, I may not be cured and still have some lasting scars but im much better.
So I like to believe it can be cured.
All I know is it worked for me in improving my situation. My solution was to move cities and throw myself into a highly social job. I got so sick of living with my parents, having no friends, no real job and in my eyes no future so I took a gamble. I actually got worse for the first year and turned to alcoholism was a freak to my work collegues but I stuck with it. Didn't ever think it would work out it took years. Its something worth trying I think as it worked out for me, I may not be cured and still have some lasting scars but im much better.
So I like to believe it can be cured.
invisiblehandicap
Member
Therapy and drugs didn't work neither did self help or time so im going to go with no, not for me.
Gieky
Well-known member
I have to agree with this. I've never stopped exposing myself to social situations and my SAD has definitely gotten worse. I would feel more at peace if I avoided all social contact but that would bring about its own set of problems.