Any particular meds. Does cognitive behavioral therapy work? I have tried prozac, celexa, welbutrin, zoloft and lexapro. Only lexapro helped at all but not that great. I have seen books and audio tape advertised, has anyone tried these and did they work?

hey.. im on lexapro now too…20 mg/day. i dont know if it really works for social anxiety… i dont think any medication really does. lexapro (as i understand) just decreases your sensitivity to things around you… including people. it doesn't help you deal or talk with people, tho. i was on klonopin, but that did nothing for me. i'm on risperdal now which is a mild anti-psychotic.. i feel the effects of it right away; it is very calming and relieves my anxiety so i can leave my house. The price for that is feeling kind of zoned out and a little tired.. which is fine if i don't have to feel like everyone is stalking me. exchanging alcohol for actual medicine can be difficult.. but do NOT drink while on this stuff… trust me. hopefully medication is all just temporary.

as for actually dealing with social anxiety rather than masking it with medication, i've also heard of these tapes and audio books ect. i found that there is a lot of this stuff available online since most people with genuine social anxiety (myself included) have a really hard time with things like talking to total strangers about your most personal problems. in my search, i found this site: http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/
there are some testimonials on there from some people who got good results; unfortunately i dont have $300.00, so i dont get to find out the secret to these people's success. i am on the mailing list of this group, however, and i keep reading about how wonderful this particular programme is.

i see a shrink once a week. we occasionally touch on cognitive stuff; i have found that introspection is something i already do a lot of, since i am constantly worrying that there is something wrong with me personally. its important to beable to reflect on your introspection… i find it helpful when my shrink points out how irrational my fears are. sometimes i need to be reminded that everyone else is fine… and i am just one of them. he has also tried to help me figure out why i am messed up; i find this helpful, and sort of fun. today he reminded me that it takes will power to do anything at all. that seems kind of obvious… but it reminded me that every person is on zer own level. im scared to take a walk around the block because someone might see me… but its a step further when i just do it, and i feel better afterwards.. just like i am just going to send this really long "answer" even though im scared someone will actually read it. it just takes practice!
feel free to contact me
good luck

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