[Incomplete]

Hi I have recently been diagnosed with SAD and I'm worrying if anyone can share their experiences with it. Like medication or cbt. Anyone who can offer advice or share what helps them.


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[Idle]

Just bumping this as there have been no replies yet

[jumpingjesusholycow]

I don't have any diagnosed disorder, nor am I going to self-diagnose myself with anything so I suppose I don't really speak with any real authority on the subject.

That said, I have recently just crawled into my shell over the past couple years. I used to be very out going but now I find talking to people I don't know very difficult and get very anxious about seemingly normal things. I feel I have to work up the courage to get onto my former estate agent about getting my deposit back which is madness. I feel I have a big anxiety problem, and I'm not too sure what to do about it so I'll be watching this thread too.

[JammyChoos]

I do. I tried CBT and it didnt work. Also tried medication which had no effect. Im just living with it..

[chelseafan]

I have an excessive blushing problem....

[TheQuietOne]

My SAD used to control me so much that for years I couldn't even speak in school . I would go for weeks not saying a single word, and just hide away in the library at lunch and break so I wouldn't have to sit, eat and act normal in front of everyone. I've never had any treatments though, as I feel it's the way I am and I don't want to have to rely on medication or another person to make me feel better, I'd rather work my way out of it myself.

I deal with it just by forcing myself into situations despite the anxiety. I'll be shaking, stuttering, blushing, feeling about ready to burst into tears or puke, but I don't let myself avoid it. At first it felt like it would never get any better, but over time I'm definitely gaining some more confidence. It's a slow and terrifying process though .

Being well rested, well fed and well exercised helps me a ton though. If I'm feeling tired, have been eating unhealthily or generally lazy then it's a lot more of a struggle to cope with it.

[silverwolf94]

I have a severe complex social anxiety disorder, havn't been able to properly leave my house for four years.
Not a case of pulling yourself together or thinking differently, you just cannot do it.
Since going to the local mental health team four years ago i have had loads of meds, therapies, and RUCKS of exposure therapy. (Which is the thing that everyone says helps, when it does nothing).

Four years on and the Consultant Psychiatrist has agreed nothing can really be done for me anymore. My only option is to go to a mental hospital (long term). But i am even to anxious to go there because of new people and being watched etc.

I'm doing a Bachelor's with the Open University. Deep down i know it's pointless for me as i will never be able to work or anything but i guess it keeps my mind active for now.

[acecoffee]

i had been diagnosed with SAD when i was younger along with my depression , but i can speak to people one on one (when i get to know them )
i was so scared of interact with people that my sister had to speak to people for me.
i was admitted into a hospital where i was kinda 'force' to interact with people along with lot of thearpy and some med .
there's time i really cant take it but slowly i was getting better .

i am still shy and never speak in group unless i know the people really well (like my sister) but i can speak to people for basic need when my mood is stable (i am still unable to ask for help when i need to tho because i still cant speak to people when i am in low mood)

[Anonymous]

(Original post by silverwolf94)
I have a severe complex social anxiety disorder, havn't been able to properly leave my house for four years.
Not a case of pulling yourself together or thinking differently, you just cannot do it.
Since going to the local mental health team four years ago i have had loads of meds, therapies, and RUCKS of exposure therapy. (Which is the thing that everyone says helps, when it does nothing).

Four years on and the Consultant Psychiatrist has agreed nothing can really be done for me anymore. My only option is to go to a mental hospital (long term). But i am even to anxious to go there because of new people and being watched etc.

I'm doing a Bachelor's with the Open University. Deep down i know it's pointless for me as i will never be able to work or anything but i guess it keeps my mind active for now.

This sounds so extreme, I really feel for you.
Is there any chance you could have someone you trust and feel comfortable around, walk you places, gradually re-introducing you to public places and interaction? Even the feeling of being calm and focusing only on the other person can help, no need to interact yourself. It'll help build some sort of confidence.