SAD - Social Anxiety Disorder (depressed, symptoms, anxious, affective)

[Type O Negative]

I realize I suffer from SAD big time.
Anyone else out there that has this condition and what have you done to handle it.

Personally I have a very difficult time being in a social setting that I didn't choose to be in.
Going to the office, movies, restaurant etc is something I chose so I feel in control of my situation....but if I am forced in to a social situation I go bonkers....panic, depressed, heart racing and can hardly control my emotions.

[Billy_J]

Don't go to social situations. Just say no!

Then once you learn to do that, you can then choose to go or not go. End of problem!

An assertiveness training class can help you learn to say no. These are held by mental health types - counselors. A college mental health department or student health service might have these classes. Or a county mental health department. Call around.

[greatblueheron]

Hmm...there is SAD, seasonal affective disorder, where depression symptoms increase as the number of light hours decrease in the fall.

There is also a social anxiety disorder, which you are concerned with...I found that once I was properly treated for depression (2 different meds) my issues with social anxiety dropped almost completely. Trial and error, though, with meds. It can take a long time to find the correct mix.

Best bet for you: please see your MD and get a referral to a psych MD or counselor.

Originally Posted by Type O Negative

I realize I suffer from SAD big time.
Anyone else out there that has this condition and what have you done to handle it.

Personally I have a very difficult time being in a social setting that I didn't choose to be in.
Going to the office, movies, restaurant etc is something I chose so I feel in control of my situation....but if I am forced in to a social situation I go bonkers....panic, depressed, heart racing and can hardly control my emotions.

[Clintone]

Originally Posted by Type O Negative

I realize I suffer from SAD big time.
Anyone else out there that has this condition and what have you done to handle it.

Personally I have a very difficult time being in a social setting that I didn't choose to be in.
Going to the office, movies, restaurant etc is something I chose so I feel in control of my situation....but if I am forced in to a social situation I go bonkers....panic, depressed, heart racing and can hardly control my emotions.

Originally Posted by Billy_J

Don't go to social situations. Just say no!

Then once you learn to do that, you can then choose to go or not go. End of problem!

An assertiveness training class can help you learn to say no. These are held by mental health types - counselors. A college mental health department or student health service might have these classes. Or a county mental health department. Call around.

Hey Type O Negative,
before you pay any attention to Billy_J;26933211, make sure avoiding social situations is what you really want...or perhaps what you want is to be in social situations, but the social anxiety disorder makes it too difficult to enjoy them? There is an enormous difference between the two.

[purehuman]

Type O Negative, if you can go to all those places because you've "chosen" to, and not feel anxious, I wouldn't worry too much about it...No body I know feels exactly comfortable when they're forced into a "social situation" either...who is?..but I'm sure if you really feel that the anxiety you feel (about this) is detrimental to your well-being and life, some shrink will be HAPPY to prescribe some drugs to alter your mind, and release you of any or all natural feelings of fear and anxiety.