Social Anxiety Disorder SAD

[Tova]

Hi, I just need some help in understanding more of what I can use to treat my SAD naturally. I don't want to go on prozac or paxil because I am nursing my dd and also because I wouldn't want to put that crap into my body. But I want to do something ASAP because I am living in complete hell! My SAD is so extreme and I just can't live like this anymore. I don't really want to get into all the details because it is just too personal and I haven't even told anyone how I really feel except for my family.

I just need help though. Does anyone experience SAD? Are there any natural treatments out there that truly work?
Please help, thanks!

[eggplant]

Some people use St. John's Wort as an herbal alternative to Prozac.

Have you talked to any alternative medical practitioners for their ideas? Do you have plenty of support from family and your doctor? Make sure you are TALKING to people about this and about how serious it is.

A friend of mine who had SAD used some sort of light therapy where she sat in front of a full spectrum light for a certain amount of time each day. Have you heard of this? Ask your doctor about it.

Don't give up! We just had daylight savings time and maybe your symptoms will get better with the change of seasons.

[Tofu]

I am really sorry that you are feeling so bad I hope that you feel a little better very soon. I do not know much except about the light therapy as EggPlant said. I know you can buy lamps that are meant to emulate natural light.

[Tova]

eggplant, thanks for your suggestions. I think you may be confusing Seasonal Affective Disorder with Social Anxiety Disorder, they both are abbreviated SAD.

Social Anxiety Disorder is a disorder where you just feel anxious in social settings. For me it has gotten to an extreme point where I feel anxiety with virtually everyone and life is beginning to be unlivable.

Here's a site to understand it more: http://www.social-anxiety.org/

If anyone knows of any natural remedies, please tell me! Thanks

[Tofu]

Oh I see! Thanks for putting me right. I will have a look at the site properly tomorrow as it is late here now. Talk soon and take care

[Lorelei]

not any advise here, but a pat on the back for wanting to do the best for your nursing baby..I loved nursing my babies too..keep up the good work.

[freemouse]

Tova, have you tried psychotherapy? I know it could be ridiculously expensive but at least it doesn't involve drugs.
St John's is mainly for depression, not anxiety disorders, you are right on that.

[kittay]

Hi Tova, I have SAD(and in the extreme, I'm pretty housebound/pathetic) too... I used to know of some herbal remedies but now I just have a vague list that I wrote down and don't remember exactly what all of them was for what. I think valerian/hops together were recommended for panic attacks though, valerian is supposed to help with anxiety. Actually, here's a link I just dug up to check that which has a list with descriptive links of herbs at the bottom of the page that should be useful.
Also, Social Anxiety Support is a very helpful message board that I love, even though I'm usually too uncomfortable to post there because of a weird relationship with one of the members.
On another note, cheers to you for not wanting to expose your daughter (or yourself for that matter) to "that crap". I think you'd have to be pretty brave to be a mother with SAD... there's probably yet another reason I'm scared of having kids, I just don't think I could br strong enough for them and wouldn't want them to suffer because of my issues. Hmmn, anyway sorry to go off on that, just started thinking too much there for a minute.

[AuroraLily]

Hi Tova,
I'm sending hugs your way.
My suggestions include exercise (to release the natural endorphins), eating right and some cognitive behavioural therapy. I like this type of therapy rather than the traditional psychotherapy (lie on the couch and talk about your mother) because it's shorter in duration and more focused on changing the behaviour and the thinking. If you are concerned about cost, check out a community centre.
Also keep talking to people, either on the website or with family and friends. You may also want to consider keeping a journal.
All the best. Keep us updated.

[Tova]

Thanks so much for everyone's comments!
I went to the SAD message board that you suggested Kittay and I wanted to just say thank you so much! I really didn't felt so alone after reading everyone's comments, some of them were so identical to how I am feeling it was amazing. I always felt like such an oddball because of my SAD but it is such a relief to know that other people suffer in the same ways as me. I was on that board for hours and could of been on for hours more but it was late and I had to get some sleep in!
It really helped me in so many ways. Thanks again.
As far as what I'm doing in other ways to help myself, nothing much really....I do eat really well, I'm extremely health concious, but I'm not sure if SAD and diet is connected, Although I know coffee and cigarettes agravate it but I don't do either of those. I suppose I should excersise more...and as far as therapy, I don't have the time or money unfortunatly.
Kittay, what are you doing to help your SAD? Do you take herbs?