Is my life doomed if I have Social Anxiety Disorder?!
Question: I have social anxiety disorder and a bit of generalized anxiety disorder. Am I doomed? I can't hold on to a job for long because everyday is unrelenting battle to me. seeing the same people day-in, day-out is just wrenching. i have cold-sweat, heart rate is constantly at 130-160 range even in an environment what seems to be OK for normal people. Then insomnia and the occasional diarrhea kicks in. i get worned off too quick. that makes me a rolling stone. my career is a mess and i'm grossly underperforming compared to peers whose academic backgrounds are similar to mine. im a freelancer now but business is a mess too. my understanding is that SAD is embedded to your gene. so it'll never go away. i gave medication a try but i absolutely detested it. it did alleviated my hypertension and felt like miracle. but then the lost libido and chronic sleepiness was unbearable. plus it left me permanently forgetful. there's no cure for SAD. am i doomed? i might end up on the street.
Answers: I have social anxiety disorder and a bit of generalized anxiety disorder. Am I doomed? I can't hold on to a job for long because everyday is unrelenting battle to me. seeing the same people day-in, day-out is just wrenching. i have cold-sweat, heart rate is constantly at 130-160 range even in an environment what seems to be OK for normal people. Then insomnia and the occasional diarrhea kicks in. i get worned off too quick. that makes me a rolling stone. my career is a mess and i'm grossly underperforming compared to peers whose academic backgrounds are similar to mine. im a freelancer now but business is a mess too. my understanding is that SAD is embedded to your gene. so it'll never go away. i gave medication a try but i absolutely detested it. it did alleviated my hypertension and felt like miracle. but then the lost libido and chronic sleepiness was unbearable. plus it left me permanently forgetful. there's no cure for SAD. am i doomed? i might end up on the street.
. Sounds like things have been tough for you. And, yea, having SAD sucks. But the good news is that you are very bright. More importantly, you realize that you have great potential with regard to your profession in relation to your peers. Most importantly, simply by questioning what the future holds for you and your diagnosis you reveals that you have not given up. So I don't think that you are doomed.
You talk about normal people. I've seen a lot of people in my time, and very few would be considered "normal". Everyone has issues...some issues just become apparent more quickly than others. You mention no cure for SAD. Okay. There is also no cure for hypertension, arthritis and a myriad of other diseases and afflictions. The point is that all of these issues can be CONTROLLED, usually with medications and therapy. The same criteria applies to social anxiety disorders-SAD. (not to be confused with seasonal affective disorder- SAD). You mention that you did give medication a try. Please understand that if one med does not work for you, or even a few meds do not work for you, it does not mean that your symptoms are untreatable. Pharmacology is bringing new meds to the consuming public on a daily basis.
Are you seeing a therapist? If not, consider it. Having an interested impartial party participating in your care could only be a plus for you. If you have quit seeing someone because you felt as if this therapist did not understand you or your situation, find another.
You also mention some side effects that you had with previous medications. Again, maybe you need to try something else with fewer side effects. Have you been honest with your care provider and mentioned the symptoms that were a problem for you? Of course you have. Because SAD clients are honest to a fault. Another tendency for SAD clients is to go on and on about physical complaints. Some people may see that as being a bit of a hypochondriac. It will be important for you to recognize your symptoms without obsessing on them.
I trust that you enjoy your career. Being in a position of freelancing allows you the freedom of meeting your own deadlines. Unfortunately, for some people both finding work and keeping busy working, and handling all of the paperwork that goes along with being one's own boss can be a bit intimidating. Maybe an employment counselor could be of help in finding you a happy medium that allows you to work within your talents without the need of an office or the paperwork that goes along with freelancing or being an independant contractor. In the States employment counselors can be found in many state or county unemployment offices.
You mention concern about your libido. Would that indicate that you have a significant person in your life? If they have been around for a while this person would likely be supportive in your further journey toward control.
Best wishes to you, .; I have faith that soon the weather will break, the sun will shine, and you will find that something that makes life worth living.
no, u really need a good support group look up support groups in your area to see if there is anyone who can help
maybe they can give you something to counteract the lost libido and chronic sleepiness.....or try something different.....i don.t know how long you took it for but sometimes it takes a significant amount of time for ur body to adjust......
Dear Sufferer,
I understand that what you are going thru can seem like the end of the world and that the "beta blocker" and or "benzodiazepine" you probably took helped with your hypertension, but made you feel lethargic and has affected your memory. It sounds like you have some irritable bowel as well. BUT IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. YOU CAN BE HELPED!
The trick is to minimise your medications under medical supervision and remove energy blocks in your meridians by delving into your past and finding out what the triggers for your anxiety is. Whilst this is not a mainstream form of treatment and there is no clear evidence that it works, it is as simple as tapping parts of your body while a therapist talks to you about your issues.
Please look at this website: www.emofree.com and read the 79 page down load, or call me at 63924473 for a chat about energy psychology and how some people seem to have almost an 80% success rate with it for issues related to anxiety.
Dr Durai Raj
Takya Medical
29A Desker Road
Tel : 63924473
Disclaimer : This write up is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Please see a doctor before starting any medication or flowing any suggestion you may consider using on your self. The author of his article undertakes no responsibility for any adverse sequale that may arise from following the advice found in this article
I'm in the same boat. I'm very sorry. People will tell you there's a way out, but I seem to be in the same place I was 10 years ago.
I think you what you need is time off work, it's freaking you out. So, how does one get financial benefits when they have SAD??? Walking into Centrelink or even calling them is impossible right?
I've been on a waiting list for psychotherapy for 8 months. It's my last resort.
No ones life is doomed ,,
You just need to work a little harder then most people to deal with stress
I have a major anxiety disorder and I am a singer songwriter
I preform before thousands of people every show
I use to shake like jello before a show (It would get so bad that I could not even stand)
Do you know what I did ?
I took Hypnotherapy ,,,It worked very well ,,,,not even a valium comes close to how well Hypnotherapy works (I always refused to take any type of medication and at times they had to give me an injection )
I have never believed in taking pills to solve a problem I prefer natural ways of dealing with things
Now I can preform in front of crowds of over 10,000 people and feel as calm as a kitten
You are a mess. I cannot offer a solution but you may need some psychiatric assistance. Why not discuss your situation with your hospital social worker or psychiatric clinic as a starter. Personally, your loss of libido is absolutely intolerable for a person as young as you must be. No testosterone also causes depression and for me, forgetfullness.Goes to show where my brains must be, I suppose.
Don't let yourself get depressed over it, though.
Chin up, old bean.
only if you let it be doomed you do have control