Social anxiety

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I've had this crippling social anxiety/not being able to initiate conversations and during them I'd feel really agitated, since I can remember. But lately it has definitely become worse, I feel like I'm going insane because of it. I think I'd need some kind medication, but the doctors/psychiatrists I saw were incredibly ret*d and said that all the problems of my life stem from my AS and that there's no solution. Hey, I wish I was paid to say something as idiotically simple to other people!

Please, can anyone help in this regards? I know that there's risks with anything that wasn't thoroughly tested, but recently a friend tried this legal MDA analogue that produces empathogenic qualities and, incredibly, it did the trick: becoming sociable more than ever before, but not too far like some that completely destroy social inhibitions. This seemed like one had control over, and they just loved talking.

I don't suppose this could be taken on a regular basis either, though, especially since it's amphetamine-based (all the possible side effects)... anyone know anything that could help? I'm convinced there's something out there that could make a socially functional human being (as the anxiety seems to be a spectrum).

Also, please, could no one mention the usual "you can get over it if you tried" - this barrier stopping me isn't exactly as fluffy as a cushion, which would be easily torn; this is a brick wall I have, and we all know that would result in a broken head if you tried, and with probably no signs of the bricks coming down.

By the way, if this is placed in the wrong forum could anyone fix that? I'm not sure there are any chemistry-related topics with regards to AS.

I can get it pretty bad. Mine used to be horrible.

A camp director taught me to breathe deeply, and slowly. She said count to three inhaling, and count to four exhaling. She said to do this when you feel the panic coming on.

It actually really helps. I thought it seemed like a dumb solution at first, but realised it works, later.

In the past I coped with social anxiety fairly successfully with benzo-diazepenes (i.e. lorazepam, diazepam) however in the UK it is policy not to prescribe these long term. The loss of which has led to an increase in depression, and the appearance of generalised anxiety disorder, which should let you know two things:

1. Aspergers does not preclude the existence of comorbid conditions (horrible word I know, but thats how Psychiatrists describe the existence of two or more mental disorders in one person)

and;

2. There are medications which work (including mdma and ketamine, although I am not telling you to start taking those). At the moment I am prescribed Fluoxetine (Prozac) for the depression, and Pregabalin (Lyrica) for the anxiety disorder, which is doing its best, but is not quite there to be honest. I'm still adjusting doses though so we will see.

My advice? Go back to your doctor / ask for a second opinion. I hope this helps.

I also agree that seeing another doctor would be a good idea. If you are resorting to other means for help, then I would let them know. I think that would be an indicator that you need medical help.

I'm on Lexapro (10 mg) once daily. It helps a bit. No side-effects. I've been on it for a year. I was on clonazepam (benzodiazepine) for almost 8 years. I built up tolerance and ended up over-using/abusing it and opiates. But it worked very well in the early years.

The normal treatment is CBT and possibly an anti-depressant (they are used for anxiety). There are books and websites on CBT.
I too have SA. I go to a SA forum.
I am going to my Aspergers centre soon for advice on my depression/anxiety as have been through a lot of treatment without success which has eventually led me to Aspergers diagnosis. My CBT therapist said the treatment possibly wasn't working due to Aspergers. At the Aspergers centre they say that it is a case of going to the right person for help, or regular therapists can approach them for training in AS to make adjustments and they rubbished that I couldn't be helped due to Aspergers.