Considering using ADD Meds + antidepressants, for social situations.. confused

[onedge1]

SWIM has never been on any sort of ADD or antidpressant before, nor has he been diagnosed as having ADD or depression (but SWIM also has not actively sought medical advice on this matter, the closest thing would be 6 years ago when he saw a counselor for social anxiety). SWIM is currently 22 and in college, he considers himself to have struggled socially for much of his life, while still having friends and plenty of social situations (such as parties) in which he is involved he has found that he has used alcohol heavily in these situations (usually heavily) since he was 17 years old. For a period of about 2 years he heavily used marijuana and at the tail end of this use SWIM experimented with some hallucinogenic drugs (this ended 2 years ago, since which SWIM has only drinken alcohol and smoked marijuana a few times).

SWIM enjoys exercising and working out and has now fully realized that alcohol as well as marijuana simply do not work for him and leave him feeling worn out, depressed and less able to be social, however when he tries to be sober in social situations he is usually anxious (especially if others around him are intoxicated, but also when others are sober as well). SWIM finds that, while he is not hyperactive in social situations, he has a lot of physical energy for exercising, lifting weights, etc (to the point where if he does not do some vigorous exercise regularly he notices a change in himself, making him more anxious than usual that day). The effects of what SWIM thinks is anxiety can sometimes be mental, sometimes physical such as feeling twitchy or sometimes both.

SWIM is able to have access to both ADD related drugs as well as antidepressants and is considering experimenting with these to see if they can lessen these effects and make him feel right in his own body and mind. SWIM would like input on this from anyone who has knowledge that could be helpful and appreciates your time.

[seeingred]

Swim noticed that swim has anxiety when in social situations. Swim had tried concerta to help with focusing and fatigue and this only increased Swim's anxiety. Swim has tried Anti-depressants a few times and doesn't even remember what they did. Hope this is helpful. Swim suggest seeing about GABA, it's natural and safe.

[GenaroXVIII]

Its dissappointing that he hasn't been online since April, and that no one replied to his post very quickly. But I want to add something in case he comes back, or for anyone who would find this helpful.

When I read the origional post I felt like I could relate somewhat to what he described. I do not have the same substance use habits and I am a little bit younger, but I don't think that should discredit what I am about to say.

I have found/feel that the solutions to most, if not all of the problems that people face can be delt with by mainting a mental set, or frame of mind that allows them to analyze, prioritize, and neutralize issues that bother them.

I am not a devout follower of any religion, as I believe that religion is not a strong or reliable enough support for one's psyche. Neither do I subscribe to, or study any particular philosophy, though I am interested in studying philosophy. I simply believe, and have seen that it is possible to break down the mental walls that trap your mind in places that you do not want to be. I have (vague) methods that I use for my own problems, but I can recognize that not everyone would be able to do this. Nor do I broadly recommend it. It is not necessarily good to free yourself from all of the preconcieved ideas that you are taught, (ie. hard work pays off, or the importance of family.) But there are some patterns of thought that some people have which are not always necessary, (ie. everyone needs to like me, or personal importance (Not the same as self respect!!!))

The point of this, and what I was trying to lead into is that drugs are by no means a solution in themselves. They can be an improvement to an already solution that is viable while sober, but reliance on drugs to mediate a (non medical/physical) problem is not the solution. And IMO can escalate problems, or create new ones. The exception to this may be some psychadelics like mushrooms, ibogaine, and DXM. However the latter two I have had no experience with, and furthermore do not recommend any drugs for this purpose. What I do recommend is caution and many hours of research about these chemicals on this site and similarly minded ones, especially Erowid.

The conclusion, and concise answer to the origional post is to (1) explore what makes you happier, in an already acceptable of pleasant situation. (2) Know what it is that you are doing to yourself and what effects that may have on you from the time you take that action to the time that you die. (3) And for some people the most crucial thing to do is to seek out proffesional help. The fact that you are reading this means that you have the capacity to try to help yourself. Many people live with undiagnosed conditions that can really and truly be best remedied by someone who is trained and prepared to do so, ( a doctor/psychologist!) If you are truly prepared to help yourself then there is no obstacle that you cannot overcome.

Most of the problems that an idividual alone faces are the problems that they create for themselves.

I know that this answer is rather long and cumbersome, and that it does not fall directly under the category of pharmacology, but since I am not interrupting an expanding thread I think that this is better that silence.

[BobTheGreat]

Originally Posted by seeingred

. Swim suggest seeing about GABA, it's natural and safe.

GABA suppliment doesnt pass the blood brain barrier so it wont help with anxiety as it will never reach the right part of the brain. It will however help with muscle growth. Phenibut is a suppliment that crosses the bbb and has been documented to have some success with anxiety as well as kava root(look in the enthobotanical forum). kava root taste like poo though.

[candy_kid]

hrm, I just wanted to point out also (like generoxvii, noting that this is an old thread) that add related drugs would actually likely be worse for this social anxiety as that they release dopamine. Dopamine and serotonin create a yin yang relationship in one's brain ie: more of one is less of the other, low levels of serotonin are also known to be a root cause of anxiety; so if someone's increasing dopamine with an ADD medication they will be lowering their levels of serotonin and really not helping the problem... the exception to this rule would likely be desoxyn (methamphetamine) due to the fact that it releases an adequate amount of serotonin also.

Reputation Comments on this post:

i like your advice and i think it is correct

[beentheredonethatagain]

i agree with candy kid , desoxyn is the only med. that can help stimulate and release serotonin

[psyche]

I have found/feel that the solutions to most, if not all of the problems that people face can be delt with by mainting a mental set, or frame of mind that allows them to analyze, prioritize, and neutralize issues that bother them.

Might be just a co-incidence or me thinking paranoid, but that feel very familiar... about a year ago. I tried and tried harder to fix the flaws by analyzing, observing and neutralizing, but at some point I had to sit back and notice that the constant analyzing has just made things worse. Then, not too long ago, I read about Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and it seemed like a perfect match. It involves perfectionism, unrational, great fear of failure and feeling that it's normal, constant feeling that everything isn't in place, and generally akward social interactions because human communication is full of unwritten rules and things that you say just because of the code etc. Also you feel that you are that intelligent that you can work it out(by analyzing for example). You might want to check wikipedia entry on OCPD.

(2) Know what it is that you are doing to yourself and what effects that may have on you from the time you take that action to the time that you die.

This sort of fear sounds familiar, and it seems to be, at least to me, always nothing I should be worried of, but just has to think things through to make THE correct choice.

I realize this is going much offtopic, so as to the original topic. I wouldn't eat SSRI's, seeing they are relatively nasty substance, there are safer ones. Maybe look into 5-HTP for replacement to SSRI. Or phenibut, rather than the GABA suggested before, unless you need only sedative to keep your heart racing etc, not to calm your mind, as GABA doesn't penetrate BBB readily and doesn't reach brain.

Reputation Comments on this post:

yes that is brilliant, you and I are somewhat alike

[beentheredonethatagain]

psyche you just told my story, I too am of the same mind set. I will come up with the best scenario to fix my self. The only reason to see the doctor is to tell him what kind of medication to prescribe me. Really though my best thinking and medicating has only gotten me to a place where the scenery doesnt look familiar, and second guessing my confidence.

[eltimmy]

It will not work long-term if SWIY is using these substances to induce euphoria. SWIY shouldn't be afraid to see a psychiatrist about this, and avoid SSRIs judging by some of the symptoms described.

But social anxiety? Complex problem! I'll try to post more thoughts tomorrow.

[eltimmy]

>low levels of serotonin are also known to be a root cause of anxiety

Social anxiety is complex, and dopaminergic mechanisms are implicated as well, and a little scrap of brain called the amygdala ...