Comments on: Social Anxiety: Are You The Only One? http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/ Looking at life through the prism of psychology, philosophy, mental health and more. Originally created by counsellor, psychotherapist and philosopher Dr Greg Mulhauser, this blog is now the work of an international team of contributors. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:49:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Gabriella http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/#comment-48302 Gabriella Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:31:36 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/#comment-48302 Khristi, please take heart! Alhough, as Sarah said, you may feel like you "cannot get through some invisible barrier, that everyone else is real", please let me assure you that you are NOT the only person who feels this way. I suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD) myself. Most likely, I will never be a social butterfly, but I am working on relieving my SAD and I can report that I'm am feeling better as time goes on. I'm not a professional, so please don't take any of the following as an absolute prescription, but here's what I am doing: 1. I am taking antidepressant medication. It took quite a while for my doctor and I to find the right combination of meds, but now that we have, the meds greatly help alleviate my feelings of depression. 2. I am seeing a wonderfully understanding and caring therapist. The time I spend with my therapist is a safe haven in what often seems (to me) like a harsh world. I heartily recommend finding a good therapist, particularly someone who has a background in treating SAD or other anxiety disorders. 3. I am working through the cognitive behavioral therapy series "Overcoming Social Anxiety: Step By Step". It is available for purchase through the Social Anxiety Institute. Their website is http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org. I recommend you visit their site, and read some of the personal stories (or watch the videos) of people who are working to manage their SAD. The institute also offers an international group therapy program once a year, if that is a feasible option for you. Good luck, Khristi, and check back in here at counsellingresource.com. I hope to hear from you again, and I hope some of the therapists here can offer you some advice as well. Khristi, please take heart! Alhough, as Sarah said, you may feel like you “cannot get through some invisible barrier, that everyone else is real”, please let me assure you that you are NOT the only person who feels this way. I suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD) myself. Most likely, I will never be a social butterfly, but I am working on relieving my SAD and I can report that I’m am feeling better as time goes on. I’m not a professional, so please don’t take any of the following as an absolute prescription, but here’s what I am doing:

1. I am taking antidepressant medication. It took quite a while for my doctor and I to find the right combination of meds, but now that we have, the meds greatly help alleviate my feelings of depression.
2. I am seeing a wonderfully understanding and caring therapist. The time I spend with my therapist is a safe haven in what often seems (to me) like a harsh world. I heartily recommend finding a good therapist, particularly someone who has a background in treating SAD or other anxiety disorders.
3. I am working through the cognitive behavioral therapy series “Overcoming Social Anxiety: Step By Step”. It is available for purchase through the Social Anxiety Institute. Their website is http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org. I recommend you visit their site, and read some of the personal stories (or watch the videos) of people who are working to manage their SAD. The institute also offers an international group therapy program once a year, if that is a feasible option for you.

Good luck, Khristi, and check back in here at counsellingresource.com. I hope to hear from you again, and I hope some of the therapists here can offer you some advice as well.

]]> By: khristi http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/#comment-48284 khristi Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:43:17 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/#comment-48284 I suffer from social anxiety disorder and as a result I have become isolated and depressed. I don't have anyone that understands it and that just makes me feel even more alone. I don't date and I don't have any friends. I went in for observation hours at the hospital and the lady told me that I needed to get a personality. I have been prescribed antidepressants and anxiety medication but I am too afraid to take them. I don't really know where my life is going to end up. I need help. I suffer from social anxiety disorder and as a result I have become isolated and depressed. I don’t have anyone that understands it and that just makes me feel even more alone. I don’t date and I don’t have any friends. I went in for observation hours at the hospital and the lady told me that I needed to get a personality. I have been prescribed antidepressants and anxiety medication but I am too afraid to take them. I don’t really know where my life is going to end up. I need help.

]]> By: kim http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/#comment-42865 kim Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:45:44 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/2008/01/15/social-anxiety/#comment-42865 im suffering from social anxiety disorder but i havent told anyone i have panic attacks just crossing the street especially when cars are stopped. my relationship with my husband has gone down the drain and my kids want to go everywhere and wonder why i dont want to take them i pretend im tired it gets harder every day i often get lost because i panic and i cant ask for directions.i have three kids so its very hard to get professional help noone wants children in their office. what should i do? im desperate. im suffering from social anxiety disorder but i havent told anyone i have panic attacks just crossing the street especially when cars are stopped. my relationship with my husband has gone down the drain and my kids want to go everywhere and wonder why i dont want to take them i pretend im tired it gets harder every day i often get lost because i panic and i cant ask for directions.i have three kids so its very hard to get professional help noone wants children in their office. what should i do? im desperate.

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