I suffer from depression and social anxiety since I can think. Diagnosed since I was 15. I already tried many different meds as well as therapies but still nothing was able to get my symptoms into control or make me functional.
Social anxiety is the biggest issue as it‘s additionally the main cause of my depression.
Just thinking about the next days or years makes me depressed because of the thoughts how to get through that social event, that chat with a friend, that meeting, that career path, that romantic relationship and so on because EVERYTHING has socializing in it.
Socializing affects every aspect of life. My brain chemistry hinders me in every aspect of socializing making me very restricted. Being aware of these restrictions in every aspect of life (career, love life, friendships, sports, hobbies, passions etc.) makes me very depressed. Depression again feeds the social anxiety by zero energy, motivation, drive, anhedonia and so on.
What meds helped you the most with being better in socializing and also having more fun and drive to do so?
Please be aware that I already tried following ones:
– 2 analytical depth psychological therapies
– 1 cognitive behavioral therapy
– SSRI/SNRIs: Escitalopram, Venlafaxine, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Duloxetine
– DNRI: Bupropion
– Neuroleptics: Promethazine, Quetiapine
– Tricyclic: Amitriptyline
– MAOI: Moclobemide
– Benzos: Diazepam, Lorazepam
– Gabapentinoids: Gabapentin, Pregabalin
– Others: Mirtazapine, Opipramol, Hydroxyzine
All were without any success in symptoms. Except for Pregabalin. But it‘s still not helping 100% or making life bearable – aside I don‘t think you can use that daily anyways.
Would love to read about your experiences and success with meds for sociability when suffering from depression and social anxiety or any other conditions.