New to Brain Talk--SEVERE Anxiety (Social)

[sdavisclan]

I have always had anxiety...along with chronic depression. My psychiatrist calls it "genetic depression." I am taking med's for both and they do help. However, I still have anxiety/panic attacks. I am a teacher and had 2 attacks last school year where I had to be driven to my doctor.

Anyway, my biggest area of anxiety is Social. I feel that I have a real problem with Social Anxiety. It is GREAT concern to me that the social anxiety will overtake me and I will be more and more reclusive the older I get.

Does anyone else struggle with this?

[Nana4&cntn]

Hi, and sorry it took so long to reply. Have you discussed your Social Phobia with your pdoc? I also have some social phobias and have found working with a therapist has helped me tremendously. Having 2 anxiety attacks in a year is not a huge concern. I know as a school teacher it must have been very distressing. and I am very sorry for that.

My anxiety was so out of control, my pdoc has me taking scheduled medication throughout the day, I also take another med at bed time as I have panick attacks at night. I am pretty much under control at this time.

I hope you will talk with your doctor and seek out a therapist.

Take care,
Kathy

[houghchrst]

Hi and welcome. It must be terribly hard having your kind of job which is very social and then suffering from your condition. I myself don't do well socially. Use to hate to go to the baby showers, birthday parties. Now I am not so self conscious but don't feel obligated to do any of those things if I don't want to.

I have heard of depression being genetic but I have never heard of "genetic depression" so had to look it up.

There’s a genetic depression that isn’t an official diagnosis. These individuals describe being oversensitive to rejection and criticism, difficulty being happy, pessimism, and spending most of their life between not quite depressed and not quite happy. I refer to it as "fractured enjoyment" in "BiologicalUnhappiness".It’s sometimes referred to as "dysthymia". I subsequently found that this genetic depression was referred to as the "depressed personality" by Dr. Emil Kraepelin in the 1920's. The cartoon characters Eeyore and Charlie Brown are examples.

I don't know if this is correct for what your pdoc means. Just trying to understand.

I agree with Kathy, therapy may help tremendously.

[sdavisclan]

Thank you so much for your responses...great advice...it sure helps to know that we are not alone.
Katie

[Nana4&cntn]

Katie, You are definitely not alone, and you are soo welcome. I was talking to my Daughter, she teaches 3rd grade she said "Mom, there are sooo many teachers I have met who also have severe anxiety". She grew up with me having it and has had to take the pills and put them under my tongue for faster/more immediate help. If you have some specific meds they can be taken this way and relief in a few minutes. (These meds include xanax and klonopin), ONLY do this if your doctor has told you to!

Take care,
Kathy