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I've suffered from social phobia since I was very young,I've read a lot about it,but personally I've realised that my social phobia,which is quite strong, almost disappears when I feel happy o I'm in a very good mood,I feel optimistic and pleased with life...Does serotonin have something to do with social phobia? Is it something chemical in our brain?
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Anon,
I am curious about your age. Are you in high school? College? If so, I'm not surprised that it's hard to share about your condition. Those ages can be really difficult because everyone is so concerned with appearances and with fitting in. As you get older, and get into your work life/career, you may find new friends who are much more accepting of you in all ways.
May 11, 2010 - 10:06amHow severe is your disorder? For instance, what kinds of situations bother you the most? And when that happens, what exactly are your symptoms? For instance, do you get a nervous stomach? Racing thoughts? Or is it worse than that? Do you get stomach pains, or diarrhea, or nausea? How long does it take to go away?
You mention past experiences that may have activated this behavior -- did something happen to you in the past that you suspect is linked to this?
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Hi Diane,
May 12, 2010 - 1:32amThank you for your reply.Well,maybe you'll be surprised about my age.I'm 44 years old,although I'm a very young person,not only in the appearance but also in my personality.I had a daughter when I was 21 years old,I haven't enjoyed life very much in the sense of going out,having fun,etc...That's why maybe I have trasmitted you a younger age.
Answering to your other questions...OK...the situations that bother me the most are varied...Maybe when I'm in a group of people,and attention is drawn on me,or I'm asked a question...Maybe with a close friend ,I suddenly feel embarrased,self-conscious for no reason at all,I try to react but sometimes it is impossible.
That's why I talked to you about brain chemistry,because I'm a strong person,very determined and I have faith in myself,and sometimes I absolutely cant control feeling like that.But the curious thing about me,is that the same situation can bother me a lot,or not at all,depending on how I feel that day,or that particular moment.
About the symptoms...Well,the worst thing is blushing,is something that I fear a lot,because I feel ridiculous before the others and before myself,as I know is something very stupid and has no sense...but I cant help it anyway.I don't have other symptoms,apart from racing thoughts,I feel like running away,escaping from the situation as fast as possible and feel relaxed.
Past experiences? Well,I said that just because I read about it sometime ago,and because it seems an automatic reaction,so quick that I cant possibly think what thoughts I have before feeling embarrased or self-conscious...So I've thought it can be something connected to something in my past,that makes me act automatically withouth thinking..The only thing I remember is that I started feeling like this aproximately when I moved house when I was 11 years old,and changed town,life,friends...Maybe that triggered in a way all this behaviour,but I don't know...
How long does it take to go awa? Well,it depends,sometimes I blush and in some seconds is past and I behave properly and feel more or less ok...In the last years I dont thing over and over it as I used to do when I was younger(I was obsessed).
Thank you very much...Sorry for my long mail.
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Hi, Anon,
The short answer is yes. Our brain chemistry does affect almost everything about our mood disorders.
For instance, doctors use antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, and beta blockers to treat social phobia, and one of the things those medicines can do is increase your levels of seratonin.
This is from the Mayo Clinic:
"Researchers are exploring the idea that natural chemicals in your body may play a role in social anxiety disorder. For instance, an imbalance in the brain chemical serotonin could be a factor. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, helps regulate mood and emotions, among other things. People with social anxiety disorder may be extra-sensitive to the effects of serotonin."
If you want more information from the Mayo, go here:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/social-anxiety-disorder/ds00595/dsection=causes
This is one reason why exercise is so important for those of us with mood or anxiety disorders. Exercise is a natural way to release these chemicals and give us a sense of well-being. Do you exercise, Anon? If so, do you find that you feel better afterward?
Here's a great page on social anxiety, with lots of information and support. Also, if you scroll down to "What Sort of Treatments Are Available For Social Anxiety?" you'll get another explanation of how brain chemistry is affected:
http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/disorder/#treatments
Are you in any therapy or treatment for your social phobia?
May 5, 2010 - 8:38amThis Comment
Hi Diane,
May 6, 2010 - 3:24amThank you very much for yor comments.The answer to your question is no,I'm not in any therapy or treatment for my social phobia,What I try to do is have a good life,and when I feel really anxiouys or I have to face a social situation that I know will make me feel bad,I just take an anti-anxiety pill,and that's all.I really only use them for the moments when I feel more vulnerable,the rest of the time I try to manage it myself the best I can.The curious thing about me is that nobody knows about my problem,not even my boyfriend,and I'm sure if I would tell my friends,my boyfriend,or anybody who knows me,they would laugh,in the sense that they wouldn't believe it, I am very sociable,nice
and kind to everybody,and everybody would think it is impossible for me to have such a disorder,but they don't know what is inside me,and the bad moments I have with this problem..I always take my pills with me,in order to feel more secure,but most of the time I don't take them.Maybe I take 3 or 4 a month,only in special situations or specials moments when I feel down.
I've tried to find help in professionals,psycologist,etc...but I found all of them absolutely incompetent,I'm not rich,so I can't really risk large quantities of money on something which doesn't offer me any guarantees,so I try to live the best I can,enjoy life as much as possible,and have a little help only occassionaly with those pills.Sorry for my mistakes,I'm Spanish.Thank you very much...And I would be very grateful to receive any advice or site where I could find useful information for my case.THANKS A LOT.
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