7 replies to this topic

[Pancakevinny]

Hello.
Here is my story,
As far as I can remember, I always remembered that people called me the "serious guy"
Ever since I was 6 I could always remember not laughing that much or taking things too seriously 99% of the time.
I was always thinking of negative scenarios that would happen etc.
But I was never depressed, but I rarely feel content with life.

This is rarely shown when I am with friends or in a social gathering.
Everybody that knows me on an acquaintance level thinks I am confident, nice, outgoing, extroverted, but I know myself

I am self concious and have anxiety while being with a group of people I don't know
I was never called "awkward" or "boring" but when I am with a fresh group of people I don't know I become very concious of what my whole body is doing, and always thinking of the next words thats coming out of my mouth.
I just end up being the "quiet" guy
This is completely the opposite when I am with people I am close with.

If a negative thought comes to mind or even if something really insignificant manages to upset me,
I turn into a silent machine and can not brew up any rational thoughts, can not even manage to fake smile
I simply can't rid of that mood until I have an outlet to let it out.
If I was upset everybody would be able to sense that angry presence within a 30 mile radius.

I also find myself often times than not , being unable to crack jokes ,
or if I do think of one, it would be like 10 minutes after the key moment passed.
I was never spontaneous.

So here is my background story.
I am really looking forward to treating these very mild depressive and anxiety problems, because I often find myself in a subpar mood and easily irritable and sometimes people are frightened of me. It is not fair to those around me.

If anyone can suggest any supplement or regimen that can help alleviate my problems it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

[Chadwick]

Do you ever get rid of this state of mind? What kind of effects do you get from alcohol, caffeine and intense exercise?

[Pancakevinny]

Yes I do.
I find myself very happy when I am in a social situation socializing.
Alcohol makes me happy and energetic while the withdrawal sucks.
Caffeine makes me jittery and uncomfortable in high doses.
Intense exercise makes me feel like I am on top of the world.

But when I am by myself its a completely different story.

[plawso2]

Story of my life. Sounds like low seratonin. Try rhodiola rosea as a natural anti-depressant, but it has to be cycled.

[jadamgo]

Sounds a lot like me a few years back. From what you've told me in the original post, you're high in both extraversion and neuroticism. You're very responsive to your environment; positive stimulation makes you happy, negative stimulation makes you upset, and I'm assuming that lack of stimulation (boredom) makes you lethargic.

The solution is to decrease your neuroticism (sensitivity to negativity). There are supplements and medicines and behavior modifications which can do that. The serotonin-boosting antidepressants like the SSRIs and MAOIs would make it easier for you to shrug off negative situations without getting upset. Supplements like aniracetam and inositol could help do the same thing. And a short course of psychotherapy, about 3-6 months, would probably leave you a lot more confident and relaxed.

You can mix and match these approaches however you like. There are many ways to reduce neuroticism, and they can all help in your situation.

[Tom_]

A few dysthymic personality traits or dysthymic disorder with possibly sub-clinical social anxiety.

First things first - you are going to make a full and astounding recovery (go you).

First line therapy for mild disorders of this nature are self help strategies and if it you can get hold of it brief psychotherapy (a group setting is better but 1:1 is great to).

A quick google of sleep hygiene will reveal a scarily long list and you likely sleep ok to well anyway. However it would benefit you if you could keep a reasonably regular sleep cycle (naturally you are going to want to have some late nights or have to have early mornings) but this in itself can stabilize mood.

Exercise as a treatment for depressive symptoms doesn't suggest much benefit but almost all studies show there is some. Plus its healthy. Weights, running, bodyweight training, what ever you like. Even if you start out at 10 mins 2-3 times a week.

Stretching yourself ever so slightly outside of your social comfort zone will begin to make you feel less anxiety. As you feel less anxiety you can stretch a little more. Rince and repeat until you end up in a gang bang with a biker named bob and a few porn stars. You don't need to go crazy, just something you wouldn't normally do - maybe join a new club?

Online CBT - This site is a great resource. http://www.getselfhe...o.uk/links3.htm

Mindfulness mediation has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Set a reasonable time limit for how long you will try it for (2 weeks maybe) and then 4 times a week practice it for 10 mins.

Behavioral activation - put simply - do stuff, exercise, socializing what ever you fancy.

If you can get free psychotherapy jump for it - if you can afford it reasonably easily jump for it. Avoid NLP, psychodynamic psychotherapy, analytical therapy and well actually avoid most of them.

Typically you will decide to have x amount of sessions and then you can decide with the therapist to have more if its felt they are needed. I'd recommend about 6 sessions to start with and wouldn't imagine you would need more than 12.

Interpersonal group therapy or 1:1 IPT (IPT)
Cognitive Behavioral therapy in a group or 1:1
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Behavioral therapy
Mindfulness based therapies

are names I'd be looking out for as good places to start. Ensure any therapist is accredited to practice - they won't be offended if you ask.

Alternatively support groups exist but they could be a double edged sword.

If the self help doesn't work (and you gave it an honest try) and nor does the psychotherapy then a low dose 6-1 year course of an antidepressant MAY be indicated.

[nowayout]

What Tom said.

But also, a lot of what you say sound like personality traits within the normal spectrum and you should beware of medicalizing them. Brimming over with bubbly happiness all the time - now that would be for me the definition of an abnormal person. Some of the most important people in history have been serious or quiet types.

There are things that make you happy. Do more of them. If you tale drugs to feel happy without reason, you may just become an unmotivated vegetable.

Edited by nowayout, 23 October 2013 - 11:47 AM.

[nupi]

Am SSRI and (potentially guided) meditation.

I have become increasingly convinced that most therapy is even worse snakeoil than what many people say of the SSRIs. As for self help, few have the required will power.

Edited by nupi, 24 October 2013 - 08:39 AM.