These meds help with social anxiety (SAD)! What does it feel like to have SAD? Why do some people suffer from it and others don’t? There are many different aspects of social anxiety, one of them being low self esteem. Some of us may have low self esteem possibly from a childhood trauma (I know I do). My whole childhood was a tragedy. I shouldn’t say “all of it,” just a lot of it. At times like these, I wish I had never been born. Other times, maybe I was born to do this blog to help all those with mental illness. I always try to think that there are some things (no matter how bad) that happen for a reason. However, it depends on how you handle those situations that determines the outcomes.

There are some meds that help with the symptoms of social anxiety such as Trazodone, Vortioxetine, Trintellix, Zinc and even St. John’s Wart. Trazodone, no matter what, always put me to sleep.

Low Self Esteem?

Low self esteem is one of the unfortunate effects of social anxiety disorder. It’s harder than hell to get rid of when that first seed of doubt is planted in your brain. It spreads like wildfire. You begin to think that everything you say has no merit to it. Why speak to people when everything you have to say is stupid! By then, you really don’t want to speak to anybody and your self esteem is down in the toilet.

But, not to fear, you can get it back! It all starts with that first feeling that you can (and will) do this. YOU have to plant that first seed of confidence in yourself and then, THAT will spread like wildfire. The more you do it, the easier it gets. It’s not easy, but I force myself to go out in public and converse with other people. If I say something I might perceive as dumb…oh well, at least I talked to them. I did this through a job that I got. My anxiety was off the scale during the interview, but I stayed consistent and focused in my responses. A day later, they hired me.

Social Anxiety In The Classroom

I kind of consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about social anxiety in the classroom since I experienced it almost every day. It started in the classroom and spread throughout other aspects in my life (home life). Can you imagine being afraid of your own family? Anyway, getting back to the other students. The other kids in my class bullied me all the time! I would try to start conversations with them and they would just make fun of me or tell me to shut up. Then, I began to put their feelings before my own by thinking they were right and I was wrong (there goes the self esteem). In any case, I began to believe their remarks that I was stupid and didn’t know what I was talking about. It shut me down hardly ever thinking positively about myself. It took me many years to believe in myself again.

Medicines For Social Anxiety

Here are some popular meds (and mineral) to help with for social anxiety:

 Zinc

While there is no evidence to suggest that zinc directly helps with social anxiety disorder (SAD), some research suggests that it may play a role in the development and/or treatment of anxiety disorders in general.

For example, a study shows an increased risk of anxiety symptoms in older adults and zinc could possibly help with the symptoms.

However, the evidence regarding the relationship between zinc and anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, is still limited. More research is needed to determine whether zinc supplementation is an effective treatment for these conditions.

  Trintellix (Vortioxetine)

Trintellix is a med that helps with social anxiety. It is a type of antidepressant that is a serotonin modulator and stimulator, It works by acting on several different serotonin receptors in the brain, which may help regulate mood, improve motivation, and reduce anxiety. Trintellix, in clinical studies, shows to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, including symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Specifically, the study shows it reduces the severity and frequency of anxiety symptoms and impairments in social functioning.

One of the advantages of using the med Trintellix over other antidepressants is that it generally has a lower risk of sexual side effects, weight gain, and sleep disturbances, which can be concerns for some individuals with social anxiety disorder or other anxiety disorders.

  Trazodone

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood, anxiety, and social behavior, among other functions. By increasing the availability of serotonin, trazodone may help reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder, such as excessive fear or avoidance of social situations and performance anxiety. However, Trazodone is considered off-label for the usage towards social anxiety disorder . In other words, that it is not an FDA-approved use of the medication. Moreover, there is a limit of the effectiveness of Trazodone according to some studies.

A natural treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, St. John’s wort is a herbal supplement. It works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help improve mood and reduce anxiety. However, the effectiveness of St. John’s wort for treating social anxiety disorder is mixed. Some studies found no significant benefits of the supplement for this condition. Moreover, there are health risks that exists with the use of St. John’s Wort. including interactions with other medications, such as antidepressants and birth control pills, and the potential for developing photosensitivity.

St. John’s Wart

Using as a natural treatment for depression and anxiety disorders including SAD, St. John’s Wort is an herbal supplement that is popular with many people. It works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help improve mood and reduce anxiety.

However, there is a mix of reviews about the evidence regarding the effectiveness of St. John’s wort for treating social anxiety disorder. Some studies have found no significant benefits of the supplement for this condition. Moreover, there are health risks associated with the use of St. John’s wort. It could possibily interaction with other medications, such as antidepressants and birth control pills, and the potential for developing photosensitivity.

Treatment Resistant Social Anxiety

The treatment might not have been delivered effectively, or the dose of medication may not have been sufficient. Others may have co-occurring conditions that interfere with treatment, such as depression or substance use disorders. Some individuals may opt to try different types of psychotherapy, including those typically used for other anxiety disorders, that have not been tried previously. For others, a higher dosage or combination of medications may be helpful. Additionally, some individuals with treatment-resistant SAD may benefit from alternative or experimental treatments, such as brain stimulation, that are currently being researched for anxiety disorders.

Conclusion

What is the fear behind social anxiety? Why are we afraid to make decisions? We feel like, if we make the wrong decision, it’s the end of the road. It’s not the end because you’re still here. Mistakes don’t deem you stupid, fear does. If you let those fears rule your life, YOU are not living it, you’re fear is.

SAD can sneak up on you and your fear. However, there are some of us who just learn how to keep SAD quiet by rethinking our thoughts and improving our self esteem (don’t forget this). You have to heal from the inside out and everything else will fall into place (like it should be). Self loathing has to be replaced with self love. That’s how I began my journey and I’m still on that same path. In any event, not everything is going to be for the better, but you can start with that one person whom you’ve been avoiding . One person at a time…

Articles

-6 Ways To Curb Social Anxiety

https://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/pages/tip-6-steps-to-curb-social-anxiety.aspx?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyKurBhD5ARIsALamXaHws0vdUKqjgL6JRMTC0OBwLAGLfF7SCgfMLG-utAVYzPj57UvPUzwaApjmEALw_wcB

-Ready To Overcome Social Anxiety? These 9 Tips Can Help

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/how-to-get-over-social-anxiety

-Delving Into Root Causes Of Social Anxiety

https://www.grouporttherapy.com/blog/root-cause-of-social-anxiety#:~:text=Environmental%20Factors%20and%20Life%20Experiences&text=Bullying%2C%20family%20conflict%2C%20or%20a,inadvertently%20contribute%20to%20social%20anxiety.

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re Never Alone!”