Mental Health ACUTE Social anxiety... what meds would best help?

[flyingsod]

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your time. All my life Ive been the quiet one. Many times I have been labeled as Stuck-up or snobby because I wasn't chatty enough with new people. Nothing could be further from the truth though, I consider us all to be equals in a very visceral and philosophical way. However I do understand how my specific SAD symptoms could make it seem so.

When meeting people for the first time Or when forced into a large group of people where strictly social conversation is expected I completely freeze. I literally can not think of anything to say. I see some wanker in the corner saying the most pathetic and odd things and alienating people around him and I am envious. I wish to hell I could think of ANYTHING to say even if it was utterly moronic. My brain just becomes devoid of thought. Its not that I'm paralyzed by fear or anxiety and can't say what I want to. Also I don't feel much anxiety leading up to the moment of conversation. I feel a little...but its not debilitating. I don't feel stressed for the weeks days or hours preceding the event. I don't constantly think and worry about it.

I don't like the idea of constant drug use so the ssri/maoi antidepressants are out of the running. I got prescribed xanax for use before a big company party but it didn't really help as I don't feel general overall anxiety and it did absolutely nothing for the Acute paralyzing panic that happens when someone looks at me and says something. Ive tried alcohol of course but it just made me wobbly and dizzy while I stood there in silence. Pot makes me quieter than normal but mostly because Im thinking so hard about what to say and how the other party will respond and How I will respond to that that a whole conversation happens in my head before I say anything.

Sadly the professional world is at least partly social and if you can't do the crappy schmoozing/networking you don't advance all that fast.

So I'm looking for a med that will help me be glib. Like some people get when they drink alcohol. Something I can take when Im forced into a party. Either conventional or clandestine.... what do you think might help me?

 

[Shrooms00087]

There has been studies done that the more you participate in activities that give you anxiety it will ultimately lessen the effect. However you said "acute" and "paralyzing panic". So, see a psychiatrist if not the first option.

 

[Seattle_Stranger]

There has been studies done that the more you participate in activities that give you anxiety it will ultimately lessen the effect. However you said "acute" and "paralyzing panic". So, see a psychiatrist if not the first option.

Troooof. Force yourself to be a better socialite, and your brain will adapt. Clearly you have the desire!

I would give kratom a try. I have a huge tolerance and still, every time I dose up I have this huge urge to chat someone's ear off, call an old friend, catch up with my mom, or just be social in any way possible. I will be silent all day at work, but as soon as I take my lunchtime kratom dose, I'm constantly turning around and distracting my coworkers with conversation.

When I have kratom and go to a party or social event, I bet a lot of folks think I'm on coke because of how hyper-social I become. The only drug that has ever given me a comparable social push is MDMA, no joke! I'm a firm believer that kratom releases some oxytocin, or something similar, because I always get that "I love my friends!!" feeling while on it.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Have you ever seen a therapist? That, along with meds (both SSRIs or similar, as well as benzos) AND exposure, was what got me past panic attacks and pretty severe general/social anxiety.

 

[flyingsod]

Thanks all. All sources seem to point to facing the situation head on and practicing. Ill need to do that I guess. No therapist yet but that may be in my future. Kratom is an interesting idea. I have used it and had decent experience but after I od'd and had the horrible nausea I stopped. I still have some though and while i never would have thought to try it for this issue I'll def give it a shot now.

 

[granddeception2]

Tried Beta Blockers?

 

[granddeception2]

Thanks all. All sources seem to point to facing the situation head on and practicing. Ill need to do that I guess. No therapist yet but that may be in my future. Kratom is an interesting idea. I have used it and had decent experience but after I od'd and had the horrible nausea I stopped. I still have some though and while i never would have thought to try it for this issue I'll def give it a shot now.

You od'd now your gonna def give it a shot now?

 

[aq.]

we cannot advise you what to take.

your best option is to see a therapist or doctor to see if they can help. if you don't like the prescription medication route, try seeing an alternate medicine doctor.