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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by torchgrl on March 25, 2001, at 2:25:44
My how things have changed around here since last I visited (about a year)! I'm glad to see that the babbling continues...
Basically, I'm wondering about others' experiences with group and individual therapy for social anxiety/social phobia, or similar issues. My previous therapist said she thought I was more "avoidant" than phobic, but I definitely have a lot of issues re: dealing with other people, and would like to address them at some point. I have stayed away from group therapy for a long time because it just seems like it would be a nightmare, but every once in a while (for about 3 seconds) it occurs to me that maybe I should reconsider...
Posted by sar on March 25, 2001, at 23:07:58
In reply to individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by torchgrl on March 25, 2001, at 2:25:44
Hey torchgrl,
I was treated by a psychologist for a year and a half '97-'98 for social phobia (though I found this out only after the treatment ended and I snuck a peek at my medical record...I hadn't known a diagnosis had been made or that there was even a name for it).
This psych used cognitive-behavioral methods with me, and though I liked my dr very much I couldn't say much for the treatment. I *knew* I was being irrational, but countering my thoughts with "think positive!" thoughts made me kinda nauseous...
I have read, though, that the cognitive-behavioral method has a very good success rate for social phobia.
I haven't tried group therapy either but have thought about it. If anyone out there has, I'd like to know how it went.
irie,
sar
Posted by torchgrl on March 26, 2001, at 21:29:27
In reply to Re: individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by sar on March 25, 2001, at 23:07:58
sar,
yeah, I'm not really impressed by the cognitive-behavioural thing, either. I'm just too stubborn or something--I can't believe that what I think is true is somehow NOT true, or sit around trying to think a bad situation is not bad when I know it really is bad, and will just keep arguing that it is. I, too, have read that it's supposed to be good for social phobia and related issues, but I don't think I'm the candidate for it.My last therapist was trying to get me to consider group therapy before she left, because she thought it would help "debunk" my supposedly faulty perceptions, but I'm just not sure it wouldn't reinforce them, since that's what usually happens when I'm in a group of people.
> Hey torchgrl,
>
> I was treated by a psychologist for a year and a half '97-'98 for social phobia (though I found this out only after the treatment ended and I snuck a peek at my medical record...I hadn't known a diagnosis had been made or that there was even a name for it).
>
> This psych used cognitive-behavioral methods with me, and though I liked my dr very much I couldn't say much for the treatment. I *knew* I was being irrational, but countering my thoughts with "think positive!" thoughts made me kinda nauseous...
>
> I have read, though, that the cognitive-behavioral method has a very good success rate for social phobia.
>
> I haven't tried group therapy either but have thought about it. If anyone out there has, I'd like to know how it went.
>
> irie,
> sar
Posted by stjames on March 27, 2001, at 1:43:16
In reply to Re: individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by torchgrl on March 26, 2001, at 21:29:27
I haven't tried group therapy either but have thought about it. If anyone out there has, I'd like to know how it went.
irie,
sarJames here....
I would think group therapy would be excellent for this. The group would not just be any group,
they would be likely to understand your condition.
You would have a level playing field of understanding people and not just a random group of scary people. Try it and if it is not for you you don't have to continue. On the road to getting better we often have to do things we don't want to do. I like to break thing I don't want to do, but should, into "little steps". Group might be an excellent "little step" for you.James
Posted by JahL on March 27, 2001, at 13:32:22
In reply to individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by torchgrl on March 25, 2001, at 2:25:44
> My how things have changed around here since last I visited (about a year)! I'm glad to see that the babbling continues...
> Basically, I'm wondering about others' experiences with group and individual therapy for social anxiety/social phobia, or similar issues. My previous therapist said she thought I was more "avoidant" than phobic, but I definitely have a lot of issues re: dealing with other people, and would like to address them at some point. I have stayed away from group therapy for a long time because it just seems like it would be a nightmare, but every once in a while (for about 3 seconds) it occurs to me that maybe I should reconsider...IMO the objective of these therapies is to help you 'live' with, or come to terms with, yr disorder. I personally have no interest in 'living' w/social & so have chosen to go the chemical route in order to address the symptoms themselves. Therapy won't 'cure' social phobia.
I have tried interpersonal, cognitive, behavioural & group therapy in a variety of settings & can say I got nothing from it. The unifying message in all these therapies is the irrationality of the sufferer's thought processes. Personally, I don't need to pay someone to tell me my thought processes are irrational; I know they are & can do little about it (other than take meds).
J.
Posted by torchgrl on March 27, 2001, at 16:58:58
In reply to Re: individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by stjames on March 27, 2001, at 1:43:16
> I haven't tried group therapy either but have thought about it. If anyone out there has, I'd like to know how it went.
>
> irie,
> sar
>
> James here....
>
> I would think group therapy would be excellent for this. The group would not just be any group,
> they would be likely to understand your condition.
> You would have a level playing field of understanding people and not just a random group of scary people. Try it and if it is not for you you don't have to continue. On the road to getting better we often have to do things we don't want to do. I like to break thing I don't want to do, but should, into "little steps". Group might be an excellent "little step" for you.
>
> JamesThat's kind of what I was thinking... Of course, my change in thought occurs at the worst time, right after my therapist had to leave town suddenly {trying not to be paranoid about this}. Since I have no insurance, and not much money, and have lost my one trusted source for a group, the choice is more theoretical than practical right now. I've *just* started working with a new therapist individually, and I have enough other issues so that that could be somewhat productive for the time being (assuming she's ok...). Of course, now that I can't do the group thing, it's beginning to sound like a good idea :( I'm just trying to think ahead, for once, I guess...
Posted by sar on March 28, 2001, at 13:53:43
In reply to Re: individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by torchgrl on March 27, 2001, at 16:58:58
hey all,
I'm sitting here laughing because I'm amused at the thought of trying to get a group of social phobics together to talk about their problem (I would think that most find it embarrassing). I want to try it but I'm skeared to go! Maybe sometime...My other thought on this is the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy. You go to these groups and everyone knows what yr problem is...I feel as if I wouldn't be able to act naturally that way, you know? My own social phobia is moderate but very internalized; I think I can often behave very calmly in social situations, I don't studder or blush or mumble or anything...I deal with the pounding heart, the ugly thoughts, the claustrophobic feeling.
What do they do in these groups specifically, does anyone know?
Keep us updated, torchgrl.
Jah, may I ask how old you are? I'm 23 and have hoped for a long time that I'd grow out of this childish shyness into more adult-like confidence...and I really have gotten better w/ age (tho by no means "cured")...I'm just wondering at what age you decided to go the medicinal route.
Thanks everyone!
irie,
sar
Posted by JahL on March 28, 2001, at 17:25:15
In reply to Re: individual v. group therapy for social anxiety?, posted by sar on March 28, 2001, at 13:53:43
> > My other thought on this is the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy. You go to these groups and everyone knows what yr problem is...I feel as if I wouldn't be able to act naturally that way, you know?This was my experience.
> > My own social phobia is moderate but very internalized; I think I can often behave very calmly in social situations, I don't studder or blush or mumble or anything...I deal with the pounding heart, the ugly thoughts, the claustrophobic feeling.
Same!
> > What do they do in these groups specifically, does anyone know?
Essentially the group attempts to challenge the rationality of yr socially phobic thoughts but in practice it amounts to little more than awkward attempts to boost your self-confidence (which you are automatically perceived as lacking. *I* am a v. confident individual; I just happen to suffer from s. phobia.)
> > Jah, may I ask how old you are? I'm 23 and have hoped for a long time that I'd grow out of this childish shyness into more adult-like confidence...and I really have gotten better w/ age (tho by no means "cured")...I'm just wondering at what age you decided to go the medicinal route.
Mid twenties. It's become progressively worse, in terms of core symptoms, since I was a kid. This despite the marked onset of the 'adult-like confidence' you describe.
When Paxil & then Prozac briefly lifted all symptoms-& gave a glimpse of the real, super-confident me-I was converted. Sulpiride's subsequent consistent control of symptoms was proof enough that this was a biological problem that all the yakking in the world wouldn't fix. It's like appealing to a diabetic's pancreas to produce more insulin! (IMO)
Everything I've read about s. phobia points to it being a chronic, life-long condition which can cause significant social & occupational impairment in sufferers.
J.
This is the end of the thread.
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