Taking the first steps to recovery

Anonymous

Anonymous

Well-known member
Hi, :)

I found this site a few months back after doing a quick search on google. I haven't contributed before, but I make sure that I visit at least once a month and often find that I can relate to alot of the problems and issues discussed. I've probably known that there's 'something' wrong with me for about 5 or 6 years now (I'm 24 now), but only recently have I become aware of the terms social phobia/social anxiety. Initially, I became very upset and refused to entertain any thoughts of actively pursuing help.

Thankfully, I now realise that I'm going to need some kind of help in order to get over this. What steps would you advise? I haven't told my friends or family - in fact, the thought of doing so terrifies me. I'm a bit apprehensive about speaking to a doctor about the issue also.

I know its sounds kinda cheesy, but it's a relief to know that there are others who can relate to the challenges and obstacles you face everyday.

Thanks In advance.

MPS
 
Anonymous

Anonymous

Well-known member
G'day
Well I think its quiet important that you should seek some help and get diagnosed. I know its hard but if you want to try to stop it, you should go to your doctor. If you are unsure what to say. Just discuss your symptoms with him/her. ie I don't socialise much, people scare me, I was scared of seeing you etc.

Hopefully you can get a referal to a therapist. Ideally you would want one who specialises in SA and uses CBT. Just be brave.

Good luck
 
N

Nightshade

Well-known member
Hi MPS

I bought this book (online at Amazon so I didn't have to face anyone in the process :oops: :oops: ). I am now working through the exercises in it. Using this approach, you don't have to tell anyone - although the first thing you should work towards should be asking for help I think.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...79/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-6631545-2756927

In case the link doesn't work - look up the author Gillian Butler on Amazon and that will get you to the book.

You know, when I bought this book I didn't think I had a problem with social anxiety. I bought it because I had been sent a link to a book on blushing and this one came up on the "people who bought this book also bought X" list. And my GP had just refered me for cognitive behavioural therapy and I thought it would be good to read up on it.

When the book arrived I read it from cover to cover and thought, ooooookay, it is relevant to me. I'm a bloody classic case. :?

Personally, I would recommend that if you can bring yourself to approach someone, your doctor would be a good place to start. When I went to the doctor and asked the right question (I have a blushing problem and this is interfering with my life to the extent I have never had a boyfriend - and I'm 33 by the way - is there anything you can recommend that I do?), I think she knew exactly what the problem was. She refered me to a psychologist who is a specialist in anxiety disorders and said that she thought cognitive behavioural therapy would help. It is costing me quite a bit but with working through the book and the psychologist I am making good progress and it is certainly worth it.

If you are worried about approaching your doctor, you could write down something and either read it or just pass then the note and let them read it. Remember they are a professional whose job it is to figure out what is wrong and help you with it. It is incredibly unlikely that they will think badly of you in any way - they have seen it all and worse before. It is also incredibly unlikely that they are going to tell anyone anything that they shouldn't. The most they are going to do is write a referal letter to a psychologist saying "patient presents with severe anxiety about blushing (or whatever problem you tell them about), social phobia diagnosis considered".

Hope this helps.
 
Anonymous

Anonymous

Well-known member
Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

I guess If i'm going to overcome this, being brave and confronting the doctor has to be the first step. Right now, I really can't see myself doing it although, I do realise that It has to be done. I've always wanted to tell someone about my condition, I've just never had the courage. This would probably be the best opportunity.

Nightshade - I've just put an order in for the book. It sounds very interesting and I hope it will be a useful accompaniment to whatever treatment I undertake. Once again, thanks.

MPS
 
Ads7800

Ads7800

Well-known member
What!

I don't want to discredit sabbath's remarks I just want to give you another point of view and I hope this isn't taken as an attack on what he/she wrote.
I highly recommend you see a doctor and receive medication(s) (only dangerous when stopped suddenly, taken in large quantities or used in conjunction with conflicting medications). When I was placed on Aropax I felt heaps better, I only felt like crap when I stopped taking them.
 
J

-Jp

Well-known member
the best thing you can probably do is join a CBT group that is for people with social anxiety only if there is one in your area, your doctor can probably help you find this or help you on your way. i wouldn't do drugs like sabbath said, they only take your SA away temporarly...from what i've read the effects wear out after a couple of years and then your back to nothing again. you can take them but realize it's not a cure. you can take them as a supplement for overcomming sa.

the Dr. richard tapes are also good. since i have found out i have sa about 6 months ago i have been reading a few books about sa and i'm now halfway trough the DR.richards tapes. Those tapes realy helped me but the books were of not much use to me other then informative and educational. i recently ordered the book "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook" wich has a more practical approach then the Dr.richards tapes and other books i've read. the Dr.richards tapes focus (at least for the first half) not much on practical examples but much more on the cognitive/ thinking part wich is good because that is most important but i ordered the book to suplement the tapes with practical examples of exposure.

so mabey you get a better idea about what you can do now.

good luck
 
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