Posted by cybercafe on December 11, 2003, at 18:58:40
In reply to Re: Does anyone have Avoidant Personality Disorder?, posted by zeugma on December 11, 2003, at 17:27:39
> I have AvPD, along with other diagnoses too numerous to mention. I think the cardinal feature of AvPD is embarrassment- I redden easily (as my coworkers have discovered to their great amusement), absolutely prefer not to be involved with anyone because sexual contact is intensely anxiety-provoking and embarrassing, reveal as little as possible about myself to anyone, and need a lot of time alone to sort through feelings and calm down from the terrible overstimulation I feel in the presence of others.
>
> I suppose I see AvPD not as the loss of personality, but as the suppression of one- which is a little different. As far as treatments, well, i have so many other conditions that I can't say I have tried any specific to AvPD issues except for cognitive behavioral therapy- which was an utter disaster and a terrible provoker of anxiety in its own right.
>
> Klonopin has helped somewhat with the social phobia issues. What i am trying to work through now is what is 'natural' to my personality and what isn't, which is a difficult task since all my life I've suffered from a combination of debilitating disorders that made most things impossible. I feel a great need for quiet, the time and space to think things out and let the raw emotionality ease off a little. I take:
>
> nortriptyline 75 mg
> Strattera 80 mg
> buspirone 30 mg
> Klonopin .25 mg
>
> This combination essentially has me functional enough to actually be aware of the AvPD issues. As far as pharmocotherapy of AvPD goes, I would think that drugs helpful for severe social phobia would be indicated. That's why I'm giving Klonopin a shot. It has definitely helped me tolerate interacting with people in general, though I still desire to avoid more intense interpersonal situations.
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>i dunno.. i kind of rely on my friends to bring me out (even when i don't want too!!!!) and keep me in line .......
i usually have a good time when i force myself to approach people..... but then i have ADD too so i really appreciate what to others may be over stimulation
poster:cybercafe
thread:288792
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031208/msgs/288902.html