Is social anxiety really a disorder?

[Electric Amish]

Im pretty much the way you are. Ill admit I could socialize more, but I pretty much just went to work and to the store or a restaurant. But I dont feel bad about this, its just what I prefer.

If it bothers you, perhaps you should get some help if you think you need it. A lot of people try to self medicate by drinking, but I wouldnt suggest that. I havent had a drink since 2008.

The biggest issue for me is that it was a sudden change. Like I said for years and years prior I would go to movies or go to LAN parties with friends every weekend. Suddenly I no longer wanted to bother leaving the house. I don't know what caused it. I've started medication and it has made me happier, but I still have a hard time leaving the house.

 

[911paramedic]

Just to be clear, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder are two VERY different things.

 

[Bateluer]

Anxiety has been the darling of the drug industry since the mid sixties. In fact, it's the first widely treatable, easily medicated psychological disorder to gain traction. No surprise that in a manner of years, it became the most diagnosed "disorder" in this country. It actually created the drug industry that we know today.

Not to say that there is no anxiety, or no social anxiety, but the diagnoses has taken many forms, many names, as the pill pushers have found clever new ways to "treat" it.

CNN had an article about this not too long ago, I posted it in H&F.

Definitely not a fan of medicating for every little problem an individual may have.

 

[dpodblood]

Of course it's a real disorder. There is a difference between being introverted, and having an anxiety disorder. If you don't think thats the case than you've obviously never had a panic attack. When it starts to interfere with someones life by limiting the things they're able to do I would consider it a disorder. Should someone be medicated? Not automatically. They should try to seek help from a mental health professional first, and practice exposure in controlled environments. If that does not work on its own than it may be time to look into medication...

 

[Lummex]

Yeah, the more I learn about psychology, the harder it is for me to think that someone has a disorder. In many cases it's subjective to individual patients or the psychologists, and while we try to be as scientific as possible, it's not easy when you're dealing with humans. I do think that there are way too many people diagnosed with certain disorders (like social anxiety, ADHD, etc), but for people who are severely affected by it, it is a real disorder. To be classified as a disorder, a person must have trouble functioning in society, feel personal distress as a result of the disorder, and have trouble forming/maintaining relationships (if I remember correctly, that is).

So it does happen, but too many people are incorrectly diagnosed as having an actual disorder.

 

[dudeofdur]

smoke weed all day everyday and u'll be fine... jk... not

 

[meltdown75]

Experience. You're relaxed and open up.

well, i'm just sayin, it turns some people into paranoid recluses. i think with pot, you never know what you're gonna get. for example, it makes my siblings green and puke. it makes me get the munchies and play video games. i don't think it would be a very successful anti-anxiety medicine because it would only work on 1/2 of the anxiety cases. the other half, it might be amplified.

i think we should all try it and see.

 

[dpodblood]

well, i'm just sayin, it turns some people into paranoid recluses. i think with pot, you never know what you're gonna get. for example, it makes my siblings green and puke. it makes me get the munchies and play video games. i don't think it would be a very successful anti-anxiety medicine because it would only work on 1/2 of the anxiety cases. the other half, it might be amplified.

i think we should all try it and see.

I sure dont think pot is the solution, but this could be true of any drug; prescription or not.

 

[zinfamous]

well, i'm just sayin, it turns some people into paranoid recluses. i think with pot, you never know what you're gonna get. for example, it makes my siblings green and puke. it makes me get the munchies and play video games. i don't think it would be a very successful anti-anxiety medicine because it would only work on 1/2 of the anxiety cases. the other half, it might be amplified.

i think we should all try it and see.

some people are far more susceptible to the paranoia components than others. I've seen this personally. And at the same time, some strains are going to induce that reaction more than others. (Hilarious, the extensive amount of horticultural research that has been collected and disseminated over the years on this illegal substance 😀)

It doesn't strike me as something that would be good for anxiety, either, but there are certainly those that feel uplifted and more sociable on various psychotropics. Though, it's probably best to be around other people who are stoned...

 

[0roo0roo]

prop 19 will fix it all...

 

[Inspector Jihad]

its a spectrum. some people might just get nervous, while for some, its debilitating. whether or not you need to medicate depends on many factors.

 

[meltdown75]

some people are far more susceptible to the paranoia components than others. I've seen this personally. And at the same time, some strains are going to induce that reaction more than others. (Hilarious, the extensive amount of horticultural research that has been collected and disseminated over the years on this illegal substance 😀)

It doesn't strike me as something that would be good for anxiety, either, but there are certainly those that feel uplifted and more sociable on various psychotropics. Though, it's probably best to be around other people who are stoned...

this is very true. i completely forgot about the strain aspect of things.... very true indeed