Oh, yes. I have it. Up until I was in my thirties... sm

I thought I was just shy.  That's what I was always told, anyway.  But I'm really not shy once I get to know someone.  I'm just very uncomfortable around people I don't know.  I finally figured out it's not shyness, it's social anxiety disorder. 

I also have chronic depression, so I take Effexor (antidepressant) for that, which is the med that works the best for me for depression.  As an added benefit, Effexor is also used to treat SAD, and it definitely helps with mine, so I have much less of a problem with social anxiety now than I used to. 

I'm never going to be extrovert, but I can make phone calls (like to call for info. or to place an order - I used to hate that and get so nervous!) and go to most kinds of social events without too much of a problem.  (Though I'd still be perfectly happy not to go to most things, truth be told.)

I've heard there is behavior modification therapy for SAD, but I feel good enough with the Effexor that I haven't looked into it more.  If none of the meds work, maybe the behavior mod would for some people.

Funny thing is, my brother has also been diagnosed with SAD, and my mom.  IMO, my maternal grandfather, maternal uncle (and his four kids) as well as several other (maternal side) family members have SAD to some degree.  So in my case at least, there seems to be a strong genetic component.  It can be really miserable.  I feel very fortunate to have found a med that helps. 

• Anyone have social anxiety disorder? - Ann
  • Social anxiety, yes!! - opie
    • anxiety - I'm the same way
  • Oh, yes. I have it. Up until I was in my thirties... sm - Kind of Long
  • May I suggest a book I just bought and it works. Joyce Meyer's A Confident Woman. nm - Just Me
    • Love Joyce Meyer's outlook on life. nm - PS
  • I do and have tried every med, but none - TM
    • I thought Neurontin was a pain medication - confused
      • It has a lot of uses, another being for seizures... - TM
        • Oh I see, I'm glad you found a combination that works for you! nm - confused
          • Thanks...me too! nm - Tm
      • I think Neurontin's used for a bit of everything!! - nm
  • Yes sm - passing through
    • I agree... working from home is almost a crutch - Ann
      • I don't see it as a crutch...sm - kps
        • I agree.. I would be working from home even if I didn't have anxiety attacks! - Ann
        • Mine got worse after staying home and working... - TM
  • anxiety - anon
  • me too, as well as my son who is only 28..--sm - kps
  • Me, too! Sometimes I think - Linda
  • Yes! - You're not alone!
  • anxiety disorder - anon
  • Many of us do in this kind of at-home, isolated job. Gets worse as you get older, too. nm - Yup
    • When you get older, more anxiety? - Linda
    • I am just feeling blah... - Ann
      • social anxiety - Karen

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