K
KShiz
Member
Hey everyone, I'm Kirstie & I'm 20, in my last year at University & work part-time at a bank.
I have been suffering from Social Anxiety probably from the age of 16/17, but only in the last few years have been diagnosed and told I wasn't going crazy!
Ive been prescribed Citalopram and have been on that for probably around a year maybe longer.
When I first visited my doctor I was referred to a Gateway nurse, who enrolled me in a telephone and book course. I received a phone call each week (well not every week) to speak to a counsellor and work through the workbook. The workbook gave me some good techniques to control breathing etc. but the counselling didn't really work. Nothing really improved and I still got anxious at the thought of or attendance of a social event.
Saw another Gateway nurse who was more helpful & I ended up being prescribed Citalopram, which I have roughly been on for just over a year.
They helped with my mood and the way I was in myself, I "appeared" much calmer and I did see an improvement.
It is strange because I can go to some places and not feel anxious, for example I went to my student ball in May of this year, got very drunk and had a great night, although I went home at about 11.30pm which is early for students! My best friend said how proud she was and also my family and I relly enjoyed myself.
I've also been on holiday with my family and eaten out every night, which is normally a no no.
I'm not going to lie, there were occasions where I felt....uh oh....I'm having a moment, but I kind of felt like I could get past it.
Now today, I dont know whether its because Im just having a bad day etc....but my friends are going out tonight, and I said I would think about it....kind of felt ok about it, but have ended up saying no, I do feel so much better, the relief is literally like someone taking weights of my shoulders, but then the guilt and feeling sorry for myself follows.
I am annoyed with myself about not going tonight, but I will get over it, purely because thats what I do, put on a face etc. but I mean I cried before writing this message.
I am on 10mg of Citalopram and was wondering if people thought it was worth me returning to my doctor and increasing the dosage? The doctors arent brilliant and I mean if they come up with something else that I could take instead, Im willing to try.
Talking to people is fine at the time.....but then I go home, and if I want to go out, where are they then, so Im not a big follower of the counselling side of things.....the pills help but i mostly deal with it in my own head.
I just need some advice, I dont want to feel like this anymore, its just not fair and I dont understand why Im not better. I have definately improved as I have been able to do things recently that would have made me run for the hills before.
Has anyone got any advice for me?
x
(sorry about the essay!)
I have been suffering from Social Anxiety probably from the age of 16/17, but only in the last few years have been diagnosed and told I wasn't going crazy!
Ive been prescribed Citalopram and have been on that for probably around a year maybe longer.
When I first visited my doctor I was referred to a Gateway nurse, who enrolled me in a telephone and book course. I received a phone call each week (well not every week) to speak to a counsellor and work through the workbook. The workbook gave me some good techniques to control breathing etc. but the counselling didn't really work. Nothing really improved and I still got anxious at the thought of or attendance of a social event.
Saw another Gateway nurse who was more helpful & I ended up being prescribed Citalopram, which I have roughly been on for just over a year.
They helped with my mood and the way I was in myself, I "appeared" much calmer and I did see an improvement.
It is strange because I can go to some places and not feel anxious, for example I went to my student ball in May of this year, got very drunk and had a great night, although I went home at about 11.30pm which is early for students! My best friend said how proud she was and also my family and I relly enjoyed myself.
I've also been on holiday with my family and eaten out every night, which is normally a no no.
I'm not going to lie, there were occasions where I felt....uh oh....I'm having a moment, but I kind of felt like I could get past it.
Now today, I dont know whether its because Im just having a bad day etc....but my friends are going out tonight, and I said I would think about it....kind of felt ok about it, but have ended up saying no, I do feel so much better, the relief is literally like someone taking weights of my shoulders, but then the guilt and feeling sorry for myself follows.
I am annoyed with myself about not going tonight, but I will get over it, purely because thats what I do, put on a face etc. but I mean I cried before writing this message.
I am on 10mg of Citalopram and was wondering if people thought it was worth me returning to my doctor and increasing the dosage? The doctors arent brilliant and I mean if they come up with something else that I could take instead, Im willing to try.
Talking to people is fine at the time.....but then I go home, and if I want to go out, where are they then, so Im not a big follower of the counselling side of things.....the pills help but i mostly deal with it in my own head.
I just need some advice, I dont want to feel like this anymore, its just not fair and I dont understand why Im not better. I have definately improved as I have been able to do things recently that would have made me run for the hills before.
Has anyone got any advice for me?
x
(sorry about the essay!)
