Nutrition Health Chat: Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
shaking/anxiety
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
shaking/anxiety
by liegh, Nov 11, 2002 12:00AM
Hi. Thanks in advance for your time, this is a really helpful forum.
My question is about what medication (if any) might be appropriate for my problem. Ever since I was about 14 (I'm 25 now) I get so nervous around people I start shaking, very visibly. Lately it's gotten to the point that I can't concentrate on what people are saying because I'm so self-conscious about the fact that I'm nervous and trembling when there's absolutely no reason for me to be. I really enjoy being around people, but I avoid it as much as possible because of this problem, and that really gets annoying. If I have to speak in front of a group or am put on the spot in some way it gets unbearable. My heart pounds, my throat constricts, and I shake almost to the point of convulsions. It's like an out of body experience--but in my mind, I don't feel nervous at all, just irritated as hell by my own body which is making people look at me like I'm a basketcase. I love to play music and to perform, but this problem makes it impossible to do that in front of anyone but close friends because my hands freeze up when I'm nervous and I can't coordinate them. I know speaking/performing in front of people is a common phobia, but I'd really rather set myself on fire than do it, and that doesn't seem normal. My mother has the same problem, and my grandmother, who used to be a concert pianist, had to quit playing because of it.
Anyway, I'd like to know what this disorder or whatever it is could be, and what kind of medication might help. I've never seen a therapist or a psychiatrist, and I'm not on any meds right now. Aside from flipping out for no reason and hating myself because of it, physically I feel fine. Thanks.
My question is about what medication (if any) might be appropriate for my problem. Ever since I was about 14 (I'm 25 now) I get so nervous around people I start shaking, very visibly. Lately it's gotten to the point that I can't concentrate on what people are saying because I'm so self-conscious about the fact that I'm nervous and trembling when there's absolutely no reason for me to be. I really enjoy being around people, but I avoid it as much as possible because of this problem, and that really gets annoying. If I have to speak in front of a group or am put on the spot in some way it gets unbearable. My heart pounds, my throat constricts, and I shake almost to the point of convulsions. It's like an out of body experience--but in my mind, I don't feel nervous at all, just irritated as hell by my own body which is making people look at me like I'm a basketcase. I love to play music and to perform, but this problem makes it impossible to do that in front of anyone but close friends because my hands freeze up when I'm nervous and I can't coordinate them. I know speaking/performing in front of people is a common phobia, but I'd really rather set myself on fire than do it, and that doesn't seem normal. My mother has the same problem, and my grandmother, who used to be a concert pianist, had to quit playing because of it.
Anyway, I'd like to know what this disorder or whatever it is could be, and what kind of medication might help. I've never seen a therapist or a psychiatrist, and I'm not on any meds right now. Aside from flipping out for no reason and hating myself because of it, physically I feel fine. Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Nov 11, 2002 12:00AM
, Nov 11, 2002 12:00AM
What you describe is a special variant of social anxiety. You could probably benefit a great deal from talking this through with a psychiatrist or therapist, and also trying some safe longer term anti-anxiety medication like Buspar.
You might want to look for a therapist who works with images. Since your anxiety is set off in very specific situations, there is a controlling image of the "dangerous,critical other" that must come into play. Isolating that image is the pathway to working out this problem.
You might want to look for a therapist who works with images. Since your anxiety is set off in very specific situations, there is a controlling image of the "dangerous,critical other" that must come into play. Isolating that image is the pathway to working out this problem.
Member Comments (2)
by shubunkin, Nov 11, 2002 12:00AM
You sound alot like I did. My whole life ( I am 28) I have had serious social anxiety. I finally went to the doctor and was prescibed 20 mg Paxil. It has made all the difference in the world. I now want to go places and do things and be around people. I can carry on conversations. I am not saying meds are what you should do. If you can beat this with counceling I urge you too. But my way is through the meds and they have changed my life. All the best to you! Danielle
