![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cairo on April 28, 2005, at 6:44:57
My daughter has done CBT for social phobia for over two years as well as social skills training. She's 16 and has a developmental delay as well as learning disabilities and a language disorder. Things don't generalize easily and meds only work moderately. We're stuck at a point where she's comfortable with her very small group of friends, but she's built a bubble around herself and finds it hard to leave the house. Talking to adults is not so bad, but to her peers is agonizing.
We have a school psychologist who has worked with her a takes her into community settings and with other kids. Sometimes it works depending on the setting (the larger the setting, the more difficult it is), sometimes it's harder.
What are your experiences with CBT? Are there different types and does intensive CBT make a difference?
Any websites with good specific info? Thanks!
Cairo
Posted by Angela2 on April 28, 2005, at 13:16:16
In reply to Re: CBT for Social Phobia, posted by Cairo on April 28, 2005, at 6:44:57
Hi Cairo.
I think CBT typically works best when the client wants to beat their social anxiety. I could be wrong though. I have SA and have never had CBT. How does your daughter feel about her social anxiety?
-Angela2
Posted by Cairo on April 28, 2005, at 14:01:54
In reply to Re: CBT for Social Phobia, posted by Angela2 on April 28, 2005, at 13:16:16
She wants to change, but seems stuck in the "they're stupid so I won't talk to them" stage. Her attention, language and fatigue issues don't help, either. When she's comfortable, she interacts nicely, but if there's a stretch involved or talking about something new, she freezes.
We can create situations while she's at home with us, but I'm afraid that when she's out on her own, she'll turn inward.
I'm appalled at the lack of services available for SA in our area and in general, by the sounds of it. Folks who suffer from from SA can't advocate for themselves, so others must. I mentioned that as our daughter's parents we must be strong at her appointment yesterday and her psychiatrist literally starting muttering about us going too far just because we questioned him strongly on options. Too freakin' bad, to paraphrase my daughter. It's our job to advocate and his to be an expert. That's why we go to him...because he is a specialist. He doesn't seem to like conflict. Go figure.
I'm thinking about hiring a college age girl to mentor her and take her around. I'll have her psychologist advise her about how to engineer situations where she can practice initiating talking, interacting, etc. We'll invite kids, etc. I guess I'll have to start my own Camp Mom for Social Phobia. Any suggestions for camp names? Camp Shrinking Violet? Camp Hide but Don't Seek? Just joking! Should be Camp Hear Me Roar!
Cairo
Posted by Angela2 on April 28, 2005, at 19:51:43
In reply to Re: CBT for Social Phobia, posted by Cairo on April 28, 2005, at 14:01:54
What did the specialist think the best thing for her was?
That's great that you are doing all that for your daughter. You sound really proactive. You can't keep a watch on her all the time, but you sound like my mom when she worries about me and my SA. Is it OK with you that she's on her own dealing with it? Does it bother you? I think that's normal. Just remember, you can't live your daughter's life. I wouldn't go so far as to say that people with SA can't advocate for themselves. It can be done. For me, I was taught how by my therapist. wHEN A presentation is required in class, I have to talk to my teacher to arrange something else I can do. Maybe it would be a good thing if she learned how to advocate for herself. You wouldn't have to stop helping her, but we all have that capability in us. And she'd have to do it sooner or later anyways. Sorry this message is kind of scattered. I just wrote my thoughts down.
-Angela2
Posted by Angela2 on April 28, 2005, at 19:53:34
In reply to Re: CBT for Social Phobia, posted by Cairo on April 28, 2005, at 14:01:54
By the way, I have some links for you. One is a CBT link.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.