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Suggest Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder

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Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Question: Hi
My name is XXXXXXX I live in a European country, where getting a doctor appointment is nightmare. They have really long list some time it will be around 6 months. I am mainly suffering from social anxiety disorder. Whenever I am in public, with new people, meetings, seminars my heat beat start increasing and I am unable to speak. During presentation due to stress I give my talk very fast, so for listener it is difficult to follow me. I am also suffering from insomnia from many years. I have not been to any doctor due to fear that I will be declared as mentally sick patient. I am also unable to control my anger and when I get angry my heart beat and breathing rate will increase. Recently I went to my GP and he prescribes me melatonin, please give me your suggestion ASAP.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Medicines and Behaviour therapy used in treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to HCM

I can understand your concern. The symptoms like racing heart, speaking fast during meetings or seminars are probably due to social anxiety disorders only. Insomnia is occurring most probably due to anxiety. Persistent symptoms of social anxiety are resulting in anger and irritability.

Don't fear of being labelled as mentally sick, a number of individuals suffer from anxiety disorder and now a days psychiatry disorders are no longer considered as stigma. These disorders can be successfully treated with proper medicines and behaviour therapy.

Medicines like SSRIs are mainstay of treatment for Social Anxiety Disorders. Sertraline, Escitalopram, Paroxetine etc are commonly used drugs. When used properly these drugs reduce the symptoms of anxiety and individual see improvement in their symptoms. For events that provoke anxiety like presentation or seminar drugs like Propranolol can be used. Propranolol helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety like racing heart, trembling, sweating etc and increase confidence of individual. Melatonin can help but as your symptoms are causing impairment in functioning so as per my opinion you need proper treatment. Consult a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs.

As you have to wait for 6 months to see a psychiatrist in such case you can try relaxation exercise and Behaviour Therapy. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise, Breathing exercises help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and improve functioning. Behaviour therapy as desensitisation, reassurance therapy have equal efficacy to medicines. Consult a psychologist for details. For relaxation therapy you can take help of YouTube. Relaxation prior to presentation would reduce anxiety and you will feel better.

Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more doubts ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (11 hours later)
Dear Bishnoi,

Thanks for the answer, but these answer are more in general. Can you please suggest some concrete solutions to my problems. In my residence country it is impossible to get any medicine from doctors. Do you have some herbal solutions or other alternative solution to my problem. Is it possible to buy some of the medicine such as Propranolol from online shopping without any prescription. I have been doing meditation from many months and I have seen some improvements but not significant. Please suggest me some solution ASAP.
Thanks for the help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Herbal medicines like St Johns Wort can help to reduce your social anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking a follow up query

If that is impossible to visit a psychiatrist then you can go for herbal medicines or supplements. Continue to do meditation and this will improve the condition with time. Try relaxation exercises and you will see increase in confidence.

St Johns Wort, Green tea (L-theanine), Ashwagandha extract etc can be used to reduce your anxiety. You can find these with common super markets. These supplements when taken regularly show anti anxiety effects similar to conventional drugs.

Increase animal food intake and start taking Vitamin B12 supplements and improved B12 concentration helps to reduce the anxiety.

Apart from this you can take Omega-3-Fatty Acids supplements. These can be purchased without prescription and these supplements helps to reduce anxiety.

If you will take these measures you should see improvement with in 4 weeks.

Propranolol is a prescription medicines and you cant purchase it online.

Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (17 hours later)
Hi,

Thanks for the reply. My one of serious concern is to improve my sleep quality. Though I sleep around 9-9:30 in the night and fix my alarm around 5:00 in the morning but I will getup in the middle of night around 3-4 then I have difficulty in sleeping. Is any solution for this problem.

I am also taking mentat http://www.himalayawellness.com/products/pharmaceuticals/mentat-gh.htm. I dont know whether it worth to take this one.

Since you are registered doctor can not you prescribed some medicine for me.
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Mentat is safe to use and is useful in memory and alertness

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

If you are not getting proper refreshing sleep then you should try to improve your sleep hygiene. Medicines like hypnotics can be used in your case and can help to maintain good sleep. Zolpidem, Zopiclone, Benzodiazepines etc are commonly used sleep medicines. Zolpidem can help to improve sleep without increasing the risk of serious dependence.

Mentat is a herbal supplement and this drug both in syrup and tablet form a good supplement medicine. This drug need no prescription and it helps to improve memory and mental alertness. It is safe to take the drug.

Online prescriptions are not accepted at pharmacies and it is illegal to prescribe medicines online so I am sorry but I will not be able to provide you online prescription.

Thanks
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder

Brief Answer: Medicines and Behaviour therapy used in treatment Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM I can understand your concern. The symptoms like racing heart, speaking fast during meetings or seminars are probably due to social anxiety disorders only. Insomnia is occurring most probably due to anxiety. Persistent symptoms of social anxiety are resulting in anger and irritability. Don't fear of being labelled as mentally sick, a number of individuals suffer from anxiety disorder and now a days psychiatry disorders are no longer considered as stigma. These disorders can be successfully treated with proper medicines and behaviour therapy. Medicines like SSRIs are mainstay of treatment for Social Anxiety Disorders. Sertraline, Escitalopram, Paroxetine etc are commonly used drugs. When used properly these drugs reduce the symptoms of anxiety and individual see improvement in their symptoms. For events that provoke anxiety like presentation or seminar drugs like Propranolol can be used. Propranolol helps to reduce the symptoms of anxiety like racing heart, trembling, sweating etc and increase confidence of individual. Melatonin can help but as your symptoms are causing impairment in functioning so as per my opinion you need proper treatment. Consult a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs. As you have to wait for 6 months to see a psychiatrist in such case you can try relaxation exercise and Behaviour Therapy. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise, Breathing exercises help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and improve functioning. Behaviour therapy as desensitisation, reassurance therapy have equal efficacy to medicines. Consult a psychologist for details. For relaxation therapy you can take help of YouTube. Relaxation prior to presentation would reduce anxiety and you will feel better. Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more doubts ask again.