Is this how "social" anxiety feels?

[Alleykatt34]

I can't give you a list of my dx's because there are quite a few and the ones I remember are panic, anxiety, depression, and paranoia...YES there were more!!  Anyway, we are supposed to go see fireworks tomorrow night and I feel like my insides are going to burst.  My head has been throbbing, tummy is giving me all kinds of troubles.  I have had these in the past but didn't really connect the "social" to the "anxiety", basically because I usually feel anxious at least a little all the time.

Help?  Suggestions?  

Thanks

Alley

[nursegirl6572]

Hi there!

Ooh boy, can I relate!  What is the worst possible scenario for an anxious person (specifically an anxious person with panic attacks and/or social anxiety?).

A Huge field/park/stadium, etc jam PACKED with wall to wall people.....and then a parking lot FULL of those same damn people in their wall to wall cars...leading to a 2 hour agonizing wait to get the *bleep* out????? (shudder)

I had a HORRID experience at a 4th display years ago...(crowds, port-a-pots, traffic...it was ALL bad) and have never EVER been to a "big" celebration/fireworks display since then.  I'll go to the smaller ones...but those big ones?  Nuh-uh, nooooo way jose!  And you know what?  I honestly could care less if I ever face THAT particular fear again...it doesn't affect my life.

I'm just as happy with a sparkler in my own back yard.  ;0)

Hopefully...that made some sense to you...in other words....I don't blame you a bit.  I'd a never got out of the house...I would have been stuck on the toilet had my hubby planned something like that.  Don't fret it too much, okay?

[Jikan]

Namaste,

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged and criticized by others.


A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social situations. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. As a result of the fear, the person endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. In addition, people with social anxiety disorder often suffer "anticipatory" anxiety -- the fear of a situation before it even happens -- for days or weeks before the event. In many cases, the person is aware that the fear is unreasonable, yet is unable to overcome it.

The most effective therapy currently available is cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT). Medication may also be used to help ease the symptoms of social anxiety disorder so that CBT is more effective. Medication may also be used alone.

Cognitive-behavior therapy : The goal of CBT is to guide the person's thoughts in a more rational direction and help the person stop avoiding situations that once caused anxiety. It teaches people to react differently to the situations that trigger their anxiety symptoms. Therapy may include systematic desensitization or real life exposure to the feared situation. With systematic desensitization, the person imagines the frightening situation and works through his or her fears in a safe and relaxed environment, such as the therapist's office. Real life exposure gradually exposes the person to the situation but with the support of the therapist.

Medication: There are several different types of medications used to treat social anxiety disorder, including: antidepressants, like Paxil; tranquilizers (benzodiazepines), such as Xanax, Librium, Valium, and Ativan; beta-blockers, often used to treat heart conditions, may also be used to minimize certain physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking and rapid heartbeat.

Counseling to improve self-esteem and social skills, as well as relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, may also help a person deal with social anxiety disorder.

I aiso suffer from SAD and it can be a horrible and debilitating illness, however, with proper treatment, I am usually able to overcome it for the most part. So, be patient, seek assitance from your healthcare provider and you may be able to control disorder.

Michael(Jikan)

[Alleykatt34]

Thank you both for responding!  I am getting ready to "get ready" to go LOL.  I am really nervous and just read on their website that they have about 10,000 people at the park to watch the fireworks.  ACK!!  

I am taking Seroquel and Xanax right now.  Both my dosages are high, I have been on so many antidepressants that it is really sick!  I was in therapy before and that lasted about 2-21/2 years when the therapist looked at me at said "I can do nothing more for you"  I had gotten pregnant while in therapy and his wife was pregnant too, with his first child, my second so he just wanted to compare notes about the pregnancy.  I probably should have just found another therapist, but I didn't. That was in the 90's. I do see my psych about every 3-4 months.  I had seizures in April and he (my psych) kinda took a back seat to the neuro. and my gp.  I do still see my psych though and have seen him since 1995, BUT I don't think I am getting what I need out of him anymore.  Its kinda like I walk in there and walk out with prescriptions and I'm 90 bucks out.  Last time I saw him he just looked at me and said "I'm not changing anything", I was there less than 5 mins and it cost me 90 bucks, so I'm kinda waiting a while before I go back, or decide to see a new psych.  I just hate to have to start over.  Know what I mean?  A friend of mine is trying to get me to go to her psych, she swears I am bipolar.  I haven't been dx'd with that..I don't think so anyway.  

I also have to go to my sisters B'day party next Saturday and I am sick over that.  Its 2 hours away, and there will be people I either don't know or don't like there.  I am trying to calm myself over this....I hope I can do it.  I have thought that I would just send her hubby money to get the burgers and hot dogs I promised to bring, but I just can't do that to her.  *sigh*  

Sorry this got winded...I just wish there was a magic pill, drink, food, that would just cure us all!!

Thank you again,
Alley