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Suggest Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder

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Posted on Fri, 14 Nov 2014
Question: I have been suffering from social anxiety disorder and depression for 5 years.I am not able to find any cure.I to

ok all blood and thyroid tests but everything seems normal.I am hesistant to consult psychiatrist.I m 26yrs 5.5 n 82kgs.should i go for exercise,yoga and meditation or consult doctor?pls advise.I am 15-20kgs overweight.pls advise if all these will help me or should i go to doctor?can yoga, exercise n meditation cure social anxiety and depression?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You should visit a psychiatrist

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query. I shall answer it clearly.

You have been suffering from some kind of psychiatric symptoms that is a mixture of depression and anxiety for last 5 years. As you have mentioned that you have not visited a specialist doctor yet, I here suggest you to visit one.

Sometimes what we are labeling as a depression and anxiety is not actually a depression but manifestation of other psychiatric problems.

By social anxiety, you mean difficulty in facing authority, difficult time to spend at social gatherings, difficult to speak in public, giving seminars etc.

If the depressive symptoms are due to these feelings then it is a anxiety disorder and not depression, if the anxiety will be corrected by means of drugs and psychotherapy then depression will improve on its own.

Meditation, yoga, relaxation therapy and exercise will help but not to a significant extent. You have to take drugs for at least 1 year.

When the anxiety is interfering with your daily social, interpersonal and occupational activities, you must take advice from a specialist.

I hope this will be helpful to you. If you have further query feel free to ask.

Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ravi Soni (4 hours later)
Thanks doctor. Let me give you details of my symptoms.I feel hopeless all day compared to the always laughing boy i used to be 5 yrs back.i dont feel any motivation and feel like everyone is judging me badly like he's an evil person,he's so stupid etc wherever i go due to which i m unable to make friends.People around me feel sleepy due to lack of my energy or depressed face(i dont know the exact reason)owing to which i feel empty .i wouldnt call my feelings sad but i just feel nothing.how cn i get back to my old self?can i get back?is it possible?also what are the charges for a psychiatrist session as i cant afford too much?please advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You can visit government hospital

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.

The symptoms you have described are typical of depression. If you do not have any other symptoms before the onset of these then it is only depression and if hopelessness and helplessness are present than it is severe. You can visit a psychiatric department of district hospital, the services are free.

You need to visit a psychiatrist and tell all your feelings and symptoms. You need drugs like antidepressants mostly you will be given SSRIs. With the help of these drugs you will get better within next 2 months. Improvement starts within 15 days.

Continue your meditation, yoga, relaxation. Make schedule for exercise daily at least for 1 hour. Follow strict diet to reduce weight. Avoid high sugar, rice, cheese, paneer, junk food, pizza etc.

You can get back to your previous self with drugs and positive thinking. Drugs will help in your thinking. The negative thinking you have is due to depression, once depression improves your thinking will also improve.

I think this will be helpful to you. If you have further query feel free to ask.

Wishing you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ravi Soni

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 538 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder

Brief Answer: You should visit a psychiatrist Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for your query. I shall answer it clearly. You have been suffering from some kind of psychiatric symptoms that is a mixture of depression and anxiety for last 5 years. As you have mentioned that you have not visited a specialist doctor yet, I here suggest you to visit one. Sometimes what we are labeling as a depression and anxiety is not actually a depression but manifestation of other psychiatric problems. By social anxiety, you mean difficulty in facing authority, difficult time to spend at social gatherings, difficult to speak in public, giving seminars etc. If the depressive symptoms are due to these feelings then it is a anxiety disorder and not depression, if the anxiety will be corrected by means of drugs and psychotherapy then depression will improve on its own. Meditation, yoga, relaxation therapy and exercise will help but not to a significant extent. You have to take drugs for at least 1 year. When the anxiety is interfering with your daily social, interpersonal and occupational activities, you must take advice from a specialist. I hope this will be helpful to you. If you have further query feel free to ask. Wishing you good health.