Social anxiety disorder: what has worked for you?

I have been on both prozac and effexor. They both kind of helped but not to the extent that I need them to. Prozac was more helpful with depression and OCD actually, and not too much with me Social anxiety. Effexor was more effective with social anxiety but still not enough. So what anti-depressant has worked for you? I just want to see the majority's opinion. Thank you...

I took something called Buspar for a couple months; it's an antianxiety medication and helped me. I've also take the antidepressent, Celexa, which also helped.

Another thing that really helped me was cognitive therapy. It helps you to change the way you think.

I refuse to take any kinds of meds.. the 'feeling' usually passes within seconds I can just hold on until it does. You focus on your task but if your like driving and feeling that your going to have a panic attack try squeezing your thigh muscle of one leg then counting to 10 relax and do the same with the other leg. It takes practice but it draws the adrenlin away from your heart and then its not beating so darn fast and you can finally continue on with your task. Its' all about adrenlin making you lightheaded, sweating, heart beating fast.. once you learn to control that part you can live practically normal!
God bless and good luck I have had it for over 10 years and you can have a good life if you just don't let drugs control it.

i have been against medication ever since i went crazy lol

i find, spening hours in front of the mirror and trying to perfect stuff like makeup, is a good thing, not bad. Once your arms are sore, you go out somewhere small, not crowded

this is working for me at the moment but medication wise...

St johns wort works for some people, as much as its a natural remedie and stuff, i have heard of people getting in a joky mood, still anxious, but better hiding of it. For me though, i find i get really shaky, and i feel really lightheaded and eel like im floating, it was horrible, BUT it works for my friend, s give it ago for about 3 days one tablet a day, if you get any 'sideaffects' STOP

People shouldn't be on anti-depressants you're letting a pill control you, even though you know you're able to control every action you do unless you're under the influence of alcohol or some sort of hardcore drug.

Prozac certainly works wonders on me. I take 20mg daily and unfortunately I haven't had one today because I accidently left it at home.. hmmm... I'm also taking 20mg of Amitriptyline at night to help me relax and sleep.

Get a kitten. Puppies don't work. I'm serious.

Get off the meds and dont' socialize (until you feel like it- that is)

Scotch and burbon.

View the information and weblinks for social anxiety/shyness, and self confidence, in sections 9, and 38, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Here is an exercise that can help you. It is called "Act as If." When you are in a social situation, act as if you are outgoing. Talk more, smile at everyone, ask questions, speak in a normal or excited tone, not a meek tone. Watch some of your outgoing peers, and imitate the style of their social behavior.

Research shows that when you "act as if" continually, your image of yourself begins to conform to your new behavior. In this case, you will gain self-esteem and self-confidence, and begin to see yourself as socially normal, not shy. You will become more socially successful, and this will motivate you to continue your new social behavior until it becomes a habit.

Try this for a month, in every situation you can. I am confident that you will become much more comfortable and outgoing. One form of therapy is to go somewhere that nobody knows you, and deliberately make an utter fool of yourself: put on a paper hat, and scream out: "I'm queen/king of America!", or something else ridiculous, then get back in the taxi, (warn the driver of your intentions, first) or car, and leave.

People will point, and say: "Look at that idiot". But, you're probably not up to the stage where you can do that, yet (I can, and I used to be shy). Regard it as your final test: once you have accomplished it, the barrier will be broken; just don't go too far, the other way! Learn to laugh at yourself, and give a big, cheesy grin when others see you do something foolish, as we all do, occasionally. It is endearing, if you don't do it too often. Use positive affirmations: for example: "I am very likable and other people feel comfortable around me".

Write down all of your self limiting beliefs; then write down the positive counter of them, (exact opposite) and repeat them and imprint them into your mind.
Most importantly: Force yourself to approach somebody and initiate some sort of communication. Start out small by asking the time and directions and gradually go bigger. OOOOO Rewind your mistakes. Let's say you want to change an annoying laugh that you have, when you hear something funny, your old laugh will come out. You have to immediately think of what you wanted to happen, (i.e. your new, practiced laugh) and then do it immediately. It will be a little bit late, but slowly you will start to pair the two together, and eventually your brain will become conditioned to switch the first for the second. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, to instill a new habit, with most people, so I estimate a similar amount, in the reprogramming process.