How do you treat social anxiety disorder is there hope?

I have had social anxiety disorder for years but the doctors always told me I was just shy which was untrue it was much more than that.I do not have a job not that many friends dont even drive yet due to this .I want to get help and I am just wondering if there is any way to treat this or at least make it tolerable and let me live finally.If you want to make fun of this go right ahead but unless you actually deal with this you have no idea how difficult or hard it is to live with.

I actually suffered this for years, what helped me was yoga and self meditation. I didn't get my liscense until I was 21, I got a job out of luck when I was 16 (i sat in a room and stuffed envelopes) and kept it until alittle after i turned 21. I started talking to myself alot, thinking positive things and now I am very active. I even have a boyfriend, but I still have alot of problems socializing and now drink alot when out...but one step at a time.

I have the same thing. What has really helped me is this -- "It's about changing your way of thinking" and I truly believe that. Even though I still feel self conscious almost always and shy I still feel positive and I'm trying to keep all negativity away, remove negative thoughts, music, whatever makes these feelings worse.. and remembering to choose friends more carefully because I've noticed I seem to attract the kind I don't want as friends. There is an over the counter remedy I've heard of it's called Gaia Kava Kava. It's for relaxation. I haven't tried it yet (I'm going to) but I suggest this before any other meds. It's an herbal medicine to help with stress, insomnia, and anxiety.

I have dealt with this and understand how it can disrupt your life. You need to see a psychiatrist for a correct diagnosis, not your family doctor, you need the specialist. There are safe medications that will help you immensely to get out there and be comfortable with everybody. Please you don't have to live with this there is help! Nobody can recommend the right medication for you only a psychiatrist. Some will work for others and not for you. So if after 4 weeks you don't notice a difference it is time to try another. There is one that will work for you. Hopefully then you can put a smile on your avatar!

I had the same issues along with bipolar. For me when i went on an antidepressant to treat the depression (dr thought at first that i only had depression, not bipolar) it also took care of the social anxity. My social anxiety was to where i withdrew for college when i was 18....am 26 and am only now getting my drivers license. There are meds that do help. And therapy along with meds would too. Even if meds take care of the anxiety, you will likely still have learned behavior and thought prossess that were because of the anxiety, that therapy could help you change once the anxiety is under control

First of all, know that there is hope and that you wil get better. I applaud you for wanting to get help and understand this better. I know someone who is in denial and refuses help therefore definitely their quality of life is compromised.
Once your discuss this with your doctor and find the right course of treatment I am sure that you will be able to have the life that you want and do some of the things that you are interested in. Remember to make sure and discuss with your doctor how you are feeling while taking the medicine and any side effects if any that you may experience.
Good luck and all the best to you!!!

sorry, hon, i think the only way to control it effectively is to use an anti-depressant like prozac (that helps anxiety) and then take some xanax for those times that you really need it.

ask your doctor about effexor xr. i'm on it for generalized anxiety disorder, but it is also prescribed for social anxiety and depression. good luck.

You have to work upon it. It won't vanish on its own. Take healthy diet, breathe well, drink plenty of water & meditate.

How you tried using an approach such as CBT? It does require a little homework but sounds like it would work well in your situation.

Put simply, you can learn how work out your thoughts and feelings about the things that cause you stress and to test your assumptions and beliefs about them, especially where unhelpful or unrealistic. By trying out new ways of reacting you can essentially change your behaviour to something more positive and useful. Sometimes the best approach is simply to sit down and think your way through your problems.

This approach does work, and is an effective alternative to medication for many. It's something you can do yourself, and the approach is also used professionally - it's called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There are many low cost resources which can help you work your way through this, including books and DVDs. If you want to know more follow the wikipedia link below.

I really hope this helps. Anxiety related problems are best solved through thinking and talking - and solved properly - without the need for constant medication. Best of luck!