Social Anxiety - Where can I get treatment? (Donegal)

Anon_IRL.Joe

Hi. I've read recently that there is such a condition as social anxiety. Although I'm upset to understand that its a disorder, I'm glad to know there is treatment because the description of it matches my case perfectly.

I have difficulty in meeting up with friends even though I like and respect them and vice versa. There have been many times when I was asked to go out with them and I've turned them down.

I've read that the best treatment for it is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy but I don't know the first place to start so can anyone guide me to any center or recommended doctor in Donegal?

smoggy11

I would make your GP your first port of call.

They can then refer to to a psychologist for assessment. It may be that you don't have social anxiety. I have learnt from experience that self-diagnosing mental health issues is usually a bad idea. Google is not always thy friend!

But seriously, start with the GP and see what they think.

Best of luck, mental health services have improved greatly and there will be someone who can help.

LegacyUser

hey op, you are correct in saying CBT is the best way to treat social anxiety. it is recommended by the nhs and the ihs for this disorder. i used it myself and thought it was excellent. now, i can't recommend anyone from donegal because i'm not from there but i might be able to point you in the right direction.

Firstly and unfortunately, i have found in my own personal experience that there can be surprisingly a lack of adequate treatment professionals available out there. It also tends to get worse the further you are away from major cities. the quality of cbt you receive can vary with the professional you use and whether they have received the proper training. so you need to be careful.

i myself used an excellent audio series called 'Overcoming Social Anxiety' by thomas a richards. this guy suffered from SA himself and managed to overcome it using cbt. he has since setup a dedicated medical instution in the states in 1994 which focuses entirely on helping people overcome SA.

Obviously not everyone can access this centre so he created an audio series to cater for them. It comprises about 20 cd's....it takes about 3 months to do the cognitive side of cbt and then your meant to go on and join a behavioural group and practice on the social situations which cause you trouble.

so you could try this audio series out.....it is possible to practice the behavioural side yourself but it is a little bit harder than doing it in the supportive environment of a behavioural group. i'm not sure but i would say there might be a behavioural group setup in belfast.....i know it's a bit of a trek but it would probably make your recovery faster. alternatively you could try somewhere closer....all you need is a group of people with similar issues where you can practice on the social situations which cause you trouble. i'm currently attending one in dublin.

anyway, good luck....and don't give up! if u have any more q's, just ask

JuliusCaesar

fghfg wrote: »

Firstly and unfortunately, i have found in my own personal experience that there can be surprisingly a lack of adequate treatment professionals available out there.

Actually, Donegal has a lot of cbt therapists both HSE and private compared to other parts of the country. Ask your GP, check the ICP website and the BABCP under Republic of Ireland.