Medication for Approach/Social Anxiety

[BlueJay]

Hi Eric,

I was diagnosed by psychiatrists as having Social Anxiety Disorder when I was 18. They recommended antidepressants and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. They were worried that I’d screw up at university away from home etc.

I hated the idea of medication and was sure there had to be a way for me to solve this stuff on my own.

Fast forward 14 years and I still have major approach anxiety, social anxiety/isolation, a heap of regret and now depression and very dark thoughts about a wasted life.

I have taken propranolol and benzodiazepines for certain situations (flying) and they worked amazingly. I’ve never tried them for approaching. But the therapists always recommend antidepressants for social anxiety. It boosts mood and self esteem whereas tranquilizers just numb you a bit.

Btw, I’ve studied game and your material since I was 18. I’ve even taken a few failed bootcamps with different companies.

I’ve tried everything except antidepressants. I just can’t keep watching life pass me by like this. It’s torture.

Curious what you think. Thanks.

[Eric Disco]

I’m all for trying out medications to see what works for you. Antidepressants have worked wonders for a lot of people I know. If you are depressed it can be very hard to make headway. As they say, desperation is the worst cologne, and depression can make you feel desperate all of the time. It can make you feel like you *need* to get this girl to make you happy. And for some people, that feeling of desperation/depression has nothing to do with their actions or state of mind. You don’t have to look further than many famous, successful people who kill themselves due to depression. It’s worth trying antidepressants to see if they work for you. If you do try them, give them six weeks before you make a final decision, as it can take a while for the medication to level out.

Propranolol also has some interesting studies behind it. In this study, a single dose of propranolol was tied to ‘selective erasure’ of anxiety disorders. https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/191908/anxiety-disorders/single-dose-propranolol-tied-selective-erasure-anxiety

Eric

[BlueJay]

Hey Eric,

Thanks a lot for the reply. Very interesting points. Yeah, I have to make some major changes and try everything.

That’s a very interesting article about Propranolol.

I have a follow up question –

I was dating a girl last year and it was super intoxicating. She has emotional/psychological issues and Borderline Personality Disorder. It was an emotional rollercoaster and I overlooked many red flags. It was also a long distance relationship.

She ended things and I’ve been a TOTAL mess for half a year now. But I want to ask – do you notice that guys with major approach/social anxiety are much more easily hurt because they don’t have abundance mentality due to the anxiety? Like, this girl found another guy right away but it’s been over half a year of me being single and hurting.

Should a guy even enter a relationship if he has these anxiety issues and can’t generate abundance? Feels like playing with fire. Thanks

[Eric Disco]

Yes, guys with major approach anxiety do get hurt much more easily. Without an abundance mentality, you are less likely to cut your losses at an appropriate time. When you have options, you are less likely to hang on when a woman is showing red flags or treating you as an option rather than a priority.

In general, you are better off dating when you have less anxiety and depression. Due to all the uncertainty, dating can generate a huge amount of anxiety. The more anxiety you have, the more you are likely to get into a bad relationship because you’ll cling to someone needy. The healthiest relationships start slowly and preferably from a place of power for both individuals. That being said, there is no ideal situation. Everyone has anxieties, insecurities and blind spots. But you may be better off for a while focusing on feeling better and being more social rather than trying to date and get a girlfriend if you feel terrible about yourself.

Eric

[BlueJay]

Thanks Eric

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