Social phobia/anxiety and drugs/meds [long]

[Heuristic]

This is a very interesting thread.

Warning: the following may be repetitive:

The key to overcoming SAD is exposure to social situations, in conjunction with techniques that allow you to experience that initial anxiety, and then to down-regulate it; in a fairly short amount of time, the anxiety response can be extinguished.

Benzos are good at suppressing anxiety, but the symptoms of SAD unfortunately return quickly after the benzos are stopped (for many people---for some, they may not return, which is great). I think benzos nonetheless have good short-term uses, if only to show someone suffering from SAD that whatever it is they fear in the context of a social situation is unrealistic and irrational; it may give them enough encourage to begin the slightly more difficult, but ultimately permanent, solution of cognitive behavioral therapy.

There was a poster above who argued that things like "deep breathing" can only take you so far in the event of a panic attack. CBT goes beyond breathing techniques; in fact it is very possible, and eventually quite easy, to stop a panic attack in its tracks, without medication. I think it would be extremely difficult to induce a panic attack in an individual who once had panic-disorder, and had undergone successful treatment via CBT, in fact.

 

[kakti]

I've found a combination of benzodiazepines as needed (before a meeting, or going out to lunch with a client), CBT and a *deep* psychedelic experience every few months has vanquished my social anxiety.

Every few months I'll take LSD or something similar and meditate/reflect on my life, where I am now, where I want to be, etc. Anything that has been bothering me or that I need to "work through" is taken care of. CBT can help to expose the reasons behind your phobias, and I think psychedelics can help you put that knowledge into perspective. So far I've only done the psychedelic reflections solo, since if I'm with others I won't accomplish what I want to do. However I think your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend could be helpful if they understand the purpose of the trip. I've noticed that after a useful trip most of my anxieties are gone for at least 3-4 weeks; they definitely kick me out of my SAD during the winter months.

 

[mitragyna]

This is interesting. I also take Buprenorphine 1/2 of an 8mg tablet 3x a day, so 12mg total. I'm still depressed, but it puts a limit on how bad the depression can get. No deep, dark depression, but still moderately there. I initially started at 2mg.

Exactly! The same with me. A combo of Nardil, Lyrica, Buprenorphine, and CBT seem to do the trick for me.

 

[Absynthe]

Basically, seeing a Pyschiatrist can get you the scripts you need; Therapist, to help you learn new habits.

Wellbutrin helps with the Dopamine rather well, and is also an activator, rather than making me sleep, like normal SSRIs, which also all depress my system so much, I fall asleep. Valium is too strong on me, for every day use.

Topamax, aka Dopamax, makes me feel okay, and prevents my chronic Migraines from forming, and doesn't have the weight gain issues, like Lyrica or Neurontin. I also like the anti-depressant effect it has on me.

Don't be afraid to try what a Psychiatrist advises. I had to titer down on the Topamax, because I don't have the funds to buy it in this country. The "Dopamax" effect is normally not long lasting, just for a month, 6 weeks, until you are at your prescribed dose. I'd rather have it than the pot, as it does help with my anxiety. Just so tired of taking pills, pills, pills! I'm sure people would have a field day with what I have - but all I want, is to be NORMAL, out of pain, and able to work again!! :< After a decade of watching the world go by, I'd like to be a participant once again.

 

[EEhouseEE]

First of all I've tried the "natural" approach long time ago with NO SUCCESS.
Second of all, from what you just wrote (no offence) you have absolutely no idea what social phobia is. Your advice was like saying someone with major depression "get a grip","don't sleep in bed all day and start doing something productive". It just doesn't work.

O man i have social phobia my self and i have to say that guy above is completly right, if you really put your mind to it and try your hardest without quitting you really could overcome your phobia, and obviously its hard but it will work as long as u never give up. I know you feel way to hopeless to even consider those methods but when they are done properly u really can get over your social phobia. Going to meds is obviously the easiest way, but it just basically means u wanna quit, and even thought its so hard to get over, in the end its 100% worth it. ( coming from a person with strong social anxiety) and i my self do this and it helps. I know soon i will overcome this horrible disorder and when i do i will be the happiest person alive. You just gotta think positive all the time. (by the way i know to you this sounds completely dumb and i know your not even gonna consider doing this but for some reason i just felt good typing all this. im only 15 years old too and i go to school and social phobia is some hard ass shit to deal with, but iam too strong to give up.

 

[Craftypisces]

There is no magic pill. Most of the things that the original poster suggested sounded like things that could easily become addictive. Say you take the opiate route (something I'm familiar with, but no longer do), you will need more and more and more and eventually they won't work, but you have to keep up your habit... nothing says anxiety like opiate withdrawals. CBT is honestly the only thing that will work and will still work a year from now.
I know from experience that my "inner addict" will find all kinds of reasons for me to use. I have a condition that warrants me using pain medicine, but I just can't let myself do that anymore. It's no way to LIVE. Your problem is that you are trying to live, so don't do something that can stunt your mental/emotional growth even further.

 

[DoseYouAll]

Buprenorphine works well too, more so than any other opiate even, but at the end, it is still an opiate itself...

Low-dose Ketamine works works well for my depression, which means that it makes my social anxiety more manageable, but it doesn't abolish it.


SSRIs/SNRIs are useless, and so is that poison Buspar. I'd like to give Bupropion a try, but I doubt it will do much.

So I'll stick with low-dose Ketamine for now whenever I have it, since its the only drug that never hurt me and made me a better person.



Did you read my last post above? You obviously never suffered anxiety before. As a very good friend described it yesterday, it can get to a point where you want to commit suicide but feel too weak to do it!

Thank you for this info, and for the last part which has been me at times in the past.

I had the worst hallucinations and body tremors on lexapro and another SSRI. It was like requiem for a dream type living nightmare. Stopped that shit 4 years ago, recently got a buspar script. Now I see here on BL everyone talking shit about buspar and it has me real worried! I want to call my doc immediately and change to valium or xanax, is that what I should do? I read ForIndicator's post and I am really interested in effexor and the other one as a combo.

I totally agree about opiates nailing anxiety on the head! They really do the trick. . . And honestly I would shoot dope a couple times if I could then go to the doc and say "give me bupe please to get me off the smack," if it really works.

I'm trying to get some K at the moment will give that a shot and see if it makes me feel less anxious in small therapeutic doses.

 

[Equal Observer]

Hate to say it, but it was mephedrone that best helped my social anxiety. Maybe a gram or two over the course of a week. I found myself being the centre of attention in social events without even knowing or trying too hard. My depression significantly declined as well. I got no comedown because I never took too much, I would take 50mg or less lines and would feel fantastic.

I didn't have any withdrawal effects after the ban when my use dissipated, If anything I just miss it but have accepted it's gone.

Around the same time my first experience with morning glory completely removed all my social anxiety & depression. But I think it was more acceptance of my anti-social personality and the reasons behind it (everyday conversation bores me but I feel the need to take part in it because it is a social expectation).

IMO taking drugs to change a personality trait (or disorder as many call it) is futile for the long term. Short term holidays from yourself, though, like my mephedrone phase can be very enjoyable.

I'll stop now and eventually get my own thread

 

[Colmes]

You've even delved into the MAOI category, most would not give these medicines a shot because of all the dietary interactions, and side effects. Clearly you just want to get help, even despite all of the possible side effects that class of anti-depressants presents. You have nearly tried everything to treat severe social anxiety. You need to recognize the phobia aspect of it, and analyze how that should change treatment. Yes medication should be apart of it, along with a great deal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is proven to work better than medication for social phobias, but medication + CBT work better than either alone. That would be my advice, slowly facing your fears with the help of a psychologist. Goodluck

 

[Lazyscience]

it has been mentioned before in this thread but, the drug pregabalin (lyrica) is very, very good for social anxiety. when i take it a doses of 600mg or over, it created a great feeling of well being and relaxation and it becomes very easy to talk to people.

i took some recently before going to a party and i was amazed by the way i could easily talk at length with strangers. also, making eye contact, which is normally very difficult for me, was no problem at all. i felt like i could be myself.

if you are careful about taking it only every now and then so you dont build up a tolerance, say once or twice a week, then it can be very useful and enjoyable.

 

[stevein7]

Let's look at this from a different perspective.

Society is a mess.

all social relations are rotten.

there is no point trying to adjust your set, the picture will always be misery.

The cure is not coming out of a bottle or a pill or a powder.

The cure comes ot of the destruction of this society.

No psychiatrist or health worker or social worker is going to tell you this.

Nobody paid by the government is going to tell you this this.

Because it is the truth.

 

[Colmes]

I was feeling the above post until line three. You lost me at destroying society

 

[vortex30]

Cutting out my intense poly-drug addiction and daily fuckedness on drugs, in exchange for being sober all day during the day, only smoking weed at night and other drugs occasionally on weekends has sorted out my social anxiety (phobia is worse though?). I think you're looking in the wrong direction...What I don't seem to get is you're aiming for PRO-social, rather than just ridding yourself of the anxiety and fear. That's a dangerous path to tread. Don't try to be and act like someone you're not, becoming a very smooth and social butterfly able to get any woman and be intimitate and open, etc. because that's not who you are, it would seem...You shouldn't rely on drugs to be someone you ain't just get good at being yourself, if that's a quiet and self-conscious guy that's fine. Of course anxiety and fear shouldn't be a part of daily socializing and you're warranted in getting a benzo (alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam or diazepam are your best options imo) so you can feel normal and not scared in social situations, but you don't have to be OUTGOING all the time.

I know this isn't what you were looking to hear...I just feel you've found your pro-socials in alcohol and mdma and amphetamine and ghb. You DON'T need a daily pro-social, you just need something that curbs the fear on a daily basis. These drugs can easily be moderated in a pattern of use for situations where being outgoing is TRULY warranted and expected, etc. and your daily benzo for, well everyday. The other path is keep playing with things like meth, and opiates and fall into a daily habit and eventually lose all the positive effects and having an even worse problem than you currently do when you're without them.

 

[Unbreakable]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000560

works for my Anxiety very good...

 

[Psychodelirium]

I've tried antidepressants and I've tried ADD stims and nootropics and IME if you want to use drugs to overcome emotional problems the only things that will really work are psychs, if cautiously and respectfully approached.

And don't dismiss exercise, diet and good sleep patterns, either. It seems like a lot of people want to say "well, all that natural shit won't work for me because my problems are chemical and serious" but exercise, diet and sleep can change the brain as dramatically as drugs can. It's very difficult to get it all under control if/when you're depressed, which is understandable, but the bottom line is it works.

 

[/navarone/]

Let's look at this from a different perspective.

Society is a mess.

all social relations are rotten.

there is no point trying to adjust your set, the picture will always be misery.

The cure is not coming out of a bottle or a pill or a powder.

The cure comes ot of the destruction of this society.

No psychiatrist or health worker or social worker is going to tell you this.

Nobody paid by the government is going to tell you this this.

Because it is the truth.

I'm in, lets go blast some motherfuckers.....

 

[cyberpagan]

mmm.......

sounds to me like your soul is telling you something.
you must remember that medicines and tonics will only work up to a point,
then you must listen to your environment.
you may have to change or leave your environment.

there's a lot of confusion here.
PM me, if you need some navigation,
i might be able to help

as for "destroying society" temporally "I'm in,"
but remember, if society is "fucked", which it is,
it's better to simply leave it, and find ways to be unaffected by it,
than to try to fight it inside.

in other words, don't try to kill a shark once it's swallowed you.

 

[rickolasnice]

Phenibut is a big dissapointment. Don't waste your money on it. I've taken doses ranging from 0,5g - 2 g with no effect. Took close to 3g once and only had bad side effects (dizziness, confusion) but no anxiety relief at all. Tolerance (that is, if it does work for you) also develops pretty quick.

Majorly disagree.. Phenibut is a life saver..

 

[rickolasnice]

Phenibut is uniquely valuable because its pro-social, but those who are seeking to "feel something" from it are only going to get nauseous by taking way more than needed. 600mg is definitely enough to trigger socialization. Note: it will NOT get you high, period.

Quoted for truth.

 

[jabbajosh]

I use GBL regularly which helps lubricate situations which I would usually whimper in.