Posted by JohnB. on April 10, 1999, at 1:08:53
In reply to New Medications for Social Phobia, posted by John on March 28, 1999, at 7:42:02
> Does anyone know of new medications being used to treat Social Phobia. Also can soneone recommend a Doctor in the Northern Va. and D.C. area who specializes in this kind of treatment?
John:
I know of no specific new drugs for Social Phobia, but lots of work is being done with existing meds, particularly those affecting the dopamine receptors in the brain. There seems to be a link between social isolation/withdrawal and inadequate dopamine function. Since the MAOI's have the best clinical record for effectiveness in treating Social Phobia, there's a good likelihood that since MAOI's potentiate all the big three neurotransmitters and since serotonin and norepinepherine meds abound with mixed results on SPhobia, dopamine seems solidly implicated. Stimulants enhance dopamine levels, but seem to contribute to anxiety/discomfort levels. Look to some of the European meds being studied; they don't seem to be afraid to deal with dopamine enhancing drugs like U.S. researchers are. It's almost as if concentrating on the core pleasure/reward circuits of the brain is forbidden territory, as if uncovering the neural circuits involved in calmness, self-satisfaction, gregariousness, inner peace and feelings of pleasure might actually lead to a totally effective treatment for that inner pain that never leaves!
Anyway, do a Net search for Social Phobia, check out Medline for studies, look up Dr. Jonathan Davidson (THE authority) on the Web or at the Library (his office is at my PSYCH's practice in Raleigh, NC -- also adjunct prof. at Duke U.) And explore dopamine studies. You'll be fascinated.Good luck. Let me know how things go.
poster:JohnB.
thread:4113
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4634.html