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Suggest Treatment For Social Anxiety

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Posted on Mon, 16 May 2016
Question: I am too anxious and just uncomfortable with going in to speak with a psychologist face to face, so I am turning here as an alternate option. My boyfriend is an enrolled nurse, and believes I have serious psychological issues and was going to make me go to the hospital earlier tonight. For 12 years now, I've been wearing coloured, eye enlarging contacts, as well as full coverage make up I would say for most of my days, the only exceptions being when I shower and when I sleep. I would not let anyone, including my boyfriend see me without my daily face routine, and tonight just by accident, my boy friend walked in while I was drying my hair, (I must not have locked the door properly) and I had the biggest flip out in my entire life. I started screaming and crying trying to cover my face, eventually after I had calmed down, I still felt... Just weird. Every time my boyfriend would reach to touch my face I would flinch and start having a panic attack all over again just by reflex almost. I've always been insecure, but I don't think it's right that it should be this extreme. After a lot of thought I've realised that even when I do have my full face routine ready, I can't ever look or interact with anyone face on properly. I always tend to shake my head a little to make my hair fall partly around my face hoping it would cover some sections of my face. In addition to this, I noticed I would never be able to face someone front on in fear of them seeing my face completely. I always turn to the side a little. All my life I have been a gamer, and even my current boyfriend, I met online. I'm lost with what to do now. I just can't cope with social situations in general. It makes me feel sick, anxious.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It is treatable to a large extent

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXX,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I have gone through the query and understand your concerns.

First of I like to congratulate you for taking the much needed first step toward the path of recovery by posting this description here and booking an appointment with psychologist.

The true revelation here is an indication that you are willing to get cured from the condition.

From the clinical description it appears to me that you have social anxiety and associated symptoms and this is making your life tough and weird to some extent.

I must advice you that try to be as open as possible with your therapist so the doctor can help you to the maximum possible extent. I must also inform you that your therapist is all trained in understanding your situation and will ready to accept you as it is and will steer toward normalcy.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (15 minutes later)
Thank you for responding,
My main concern now is what do I do next? Will I have to go see a psycologist or something similar face to face? Just the thought of it makes me anxious so I'm not sure how that will work. And also, what kind of options do I have for treatment? Will I need to take some kind of medication or just therapy? I'm just not familiar with this kind of situation. What happens next?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Both therapy and medications are treatment optiion

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

What you are doing currently is in right direction and you need to continue your efforts to seek treatment from psychiatrist/psychologist.

Social anxiety can be treated with both medications as well as therapy. Most of the cases respond well to therapy and even prefer therapy as this is devoid of side effects and need short term treatment in compare to medication. Additionally therapy is better option in compare to medications in case of social anxiety.

Few of the cases need both therapy as well as medication depending on the severity of the condition.

As we discussed above both the treatment options are delivered by a person you need to see a psychiatrist/psychologist in person as a detailed evaluation is required before starting treatment. I Understand your feeling and anxiety associated with meeting new people but unfortunately that is the beginning of treatment and you need to make at least initial efforts to see your therapist.

On meeting to a therapist she will assess the condition by talking to you and will made a formal diagnosis. Following this she will give you the available treatment options and the chosen treatment will be administered. Generally speaking it is similar to seeing a doctor when you have a fever.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Social Anxiety

Brief Answer: It is treatable to a large extent Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXX, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I have gone through the query and understand your concerns. First of I like to congratulate you for taking the much needed first step toward the path of recovery by posting this description here and booking an appointment with psychologist. The true revelation here is an indication that you are willing to get cured from the condition. From the clinical description it appears to me that you have social anxiety and associated symptoms and this is making your life tough and weird to some extent. I must advice you that try to be as open as possible with your therapist so the doctor can help you to the maximum possible extent. I must also inform you that your therapist is all trained in understanding your situation and will ready to accept you as it is and will steer toward normalcy. I hope this helps you. If you have more questions feel free to write back to me. Thanks and regards.