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Originally Posted by bassline!
A friend of mine says he's suffering from this, I haven't seen him in a while, he doesn't really come out much anymore. He says whenever he is in social situations, or in a spot where he feels trapped (sitting in the middle aisle of an airplane, in a meeting, etc) he gets very anxious and says he 'chokes' .. sometimes literally.. He says sometimes if happens at random, but he looks really shaken up and says when he has these 'attacks', it's for really stupid, everyday reasons.. he also says he's got a complete phobia of death now too, which really scares me.
Has any one ever had this or know someone who has? I'd like to help him out and supposedly it's treatable.. do you guys have any suggestions on what I can tell him to do? I'd like to see him more, but he says it's affecting his everyday life, which really sucks because he's a good friend..
Any suggestions?
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There is an excellent outpatient program at Richmond General Hospital held by the Vancouver Coastal Health Team... Called the "Core Program"
http://www.rhss.bc.ca/bins/content_p...id=106-136-228
It's pretty much like group therapy where you work on and talk about different problems contributing to your disorder... 5 days a week, 4 hours a day for 3 months. I would HIGHLY recommend this program for your friend! By any chance does your friend take any street drugs? Drugs can make these social anxiety disorders much much worse... Your friend is most likely suffering from deep depression which causes stress, anxiety, panic attacks, social isolation.. and much more..and he may not even know that he is suffering from depression.... if he has not been educated about it...
When it comes to group therapy.. a lot of people are hesitant espeically if they have social disorders because you must talk and share your story with other people.. But they must remember those other people in the group are there for the same reasons! It's hard to ask for help but when you actually start to receive it, the only thing you must remember is... to commit yourself 100 %, because you're trying to change for the better, and if you need that change more than anything.... you're heart has to be there too.
Before using any type of anti depressants or anti anxiety pill, I would highly recommend to go visit a counsellor on a regular basis or attend some group therapy because they are there to listen and give you support rather than going to see a psychiatrist who usually just tries to presrcrib you pills and expects you to get on with it. Try to fix the problem on your own first without the use of any drugs. Its hard work and the problem wont go away with a snap of the fingers.. You must work at it just like anything else in life. I know drugs may work for some people and some people definitely need them but atleast try to work through it the natural way before you take the other route.
I Hope everything works out for your friend, just remind him that there is always hope and that he isn't alone.
Jul 21, 05
