I have Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)... what can I do about it?

I live in England and have social Anxiety disorder. I study in Newcaslte upon Tyne in the North East of England, and am preparing to go on my placement year.

I left it years before seeing a doctor, but now that I have I am still lost. I was told counciling is the way forward, but medication.

So where do I go for counciling...?
I'm a student... is it free?

Please help! With presentations and job interview... even going to the supermarkert freaking me out, i need help!

Should i just have Paxil shipped in?
HELP

Get an SSRI definately... if you must ship Paxil in do it before you can't function anymore

Sometimes schools have free mental health counseling, if yours doesn't seek out both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. You will most likely need both meds and therapy.
I have the same disorder, and the strongest advice i have for you is DO NOT take meds without being counseled by a doctor. I was started out on paxil and it was horrible, it turned me into an emotional zombie and had really strange side effects, though it effects everyone differently. Plus you need to know how much of it to take, it will take a few months for most drugs to even kick in anyways. I was put on 3 different drugs before we discovered that an extremely high dose of Zoloft was the only thing that worked for me. That along with therapy. The drugs themselves will not solve all your problems. they can just help along the journey. good luck and be careful.

You can't get Paxil in England?!! What a travesty. Paxil is still the best medication for SAD that I am aware of. I'm sorry, but I live in the States and I don't know about what's available in England.

Drink water, exercise daily, eat vegatables, say your prayers, and get enough sleep. if you feel your disorder is worse in the morning of the day, get your mind on tract by reading the Scriptures. throw man's mind drugs in the trash.

Maybe get some drugs and then start the couselling cause then you wont be so afraid of it and you can slowly ease your way off of it.

Clonazepam worked for me. Seek some help from a doctor.

stop caring what people think about you

I have anxiety it came out of the blue at 19. The only thing to do is force your self to keep having a normal life don't avoid situations as hard as it is make your self do it because if you start avoding situations it can lead to agorphobia the fear of public. Counciling never helped me I payed 100 per visit cash and they told me nothing that helped. I tried many medications they didn't help they make you feel very tired and spacey what I learned that helped is not to pay attention to the feeling you have when your talking to someone or in the store think in your head i'm fine and nothing can happen to me do not be scared of the anxiety anxiety craves off fear just blow it off like big deal at first it's very hard but than you just get use to. One way think of it as a headach would you care if your head hurt no because you know there is nothing wrong just your head hurts. So when your in the store and if you get dizzy or any sideeffects you get distract your self don't pay attention to it. Also try to keep your mind occupied if you keep your self busy you don't have time to worry about grocery shopping and job interviews. It will take a while but you can do it. Also write down a list of what your scared about than read it to your self ok for instance you have a job interview why are you scared of it when you read your answers you will laugh because what your scared of will not happen it's your mind playing games with you. It took me a year to get over anxiety some days I have problems but the key is do not think about don't research about it and don't keep talking about it. Make your self realize that nothing is wrong like I said it's hard but you will do fine. I wish you the best of luck I know how hard anxiety is.

This I know is going to sound crazy I know but it's worth a try
I have done some research on foods and eating and etc.. And some times there a chemicak imbalance in the brain if if is not first a bad personal experience! If not then try to do a total body cleanse preferrably a parasite cleanse and take vitamins. Think about it if medication can help put a temporary fix on things why can't that. Also try eating healthy foods like fish (especially) fruit and stay away from processed foods(like whites - potatoes white rice, white bread white sugar and things.) And plenty of water. It sounds crazy but I had a similar problem where I was withdrawn, could'nt concentrate, feeling cloudy in the mind etc.. And it helped! Sounds crazy but try it. What will it hurt! I try to stay herbal like green teas and etc.. You can even try your local health food store and I am willing to bet they have an alternative to medication!