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Anxiety Disorders/Questions Answered by Expert T.R. Chase
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Hello | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I think that I have social anxiety its not something that I've always had but like how people use ... A: Your score of 39 just indicates that your social anxiety isn't high enough to be classified as a ... | |
| Hello | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I think that I have social anxiety its not something that I've always had but like how people use ... A: I don't know how old you are, but I'm impressed by your wisdom, and your insight into yourself. And ... | |
| stress | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: Also lately i have been under EXTREME!!! stress from this disorder. The other day i was having ... A: I apologize for the spelling error in my first reply... Gary, Your physical symptoms indicate that ... | |
| social anxiety disorder | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: i took the test you recommended and scored 110. i am 43, i havent been able to function in society ... A: I can surely relate to your situation. It was the same for me when I came back to my home state 20 ... | |
| good conversation topics | 9/3/2009 |
| Q: What are some good conversation topics? that i could talk about with my friends at school because ... A: Some great topics of conversation for you might be: • Classes • School in general (school events ... | |
| anxiety when i sleep | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: im a 18 year old male who just moved out of my moms in virginia to my brothers in colorado. i ... A: While I'm not a real doctor (and won't play one on the Internet), what you've described is very ... | |
| long term s.a.d/i.d crisis | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: I am a 32 yr old male.Since 15 i have struggled with severe social anxiety.I find cbt and ... A: I must say that this is the first I've heard of a problem with an 'inferiority/superiority cycle. ... | |
| I think i might have social anxiety disorder... | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: First of all, I'm a 15 year old girl. I've already been diagnosed with clinical depression and take ... A: Sweetie, From what you describe, I would say that you definitely suffer from social anxiety ... | |
| Anxiety and can`t work | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: I have always had an intense fear of working, being ( i am afraid to go places alone and I am ... A: No, it isn't a requirement that you be seeing a doctor, or be taking any medications in order to ... | |
| Anxiety and can`t work | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: I have always had an intense fear of working, being ( i am afraid to go places alone and I am ... A: Please see addition to this answer at the bottom: Dear Jennifer, I can surely empathize, and ... | |
Answers by Expert:
T.R. Chase
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
My expertise lies only in an extensive knowledge of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
There are many kinds of anxiety. Few people understand that there is a HUGE difference between Social Anxiety Disorder, and the other problems with anxiety.
Experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder is light years away from feeling 'simple shyness', and that diffrerence is often not understood at all.
Before asking a question about anxiety, and whether it could actually be Social Anxiety Disorder, it might be very helpful to you to take an online questionaire at http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/disorder/liebowitz/. This Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is a questionnaire developed by Michael Liebowitz, an esteemed psychologist and researcher. It's objective is to assess the range of social interaction and performance situations which patients with Social Anxiety Disorder may fear.
A simple definition of SAD is excessive fear of scrutiny, embarrassment and humiliation in social situations that is extremely intrusive, and can have debilitating effects on personal and professional relationships.
There are many mental health professionals who treat anxiety problems, 'phobias', and who offer cognitive behavioral therapy, but it takes a specialist who is extremely knowledgeable about the very unique problems presented by SAD to effectively treat those afflicted.
Experience
Experience in the Area:
I have lived with Social Anxiety Disorder since long before it had an official name, and before it was was recognized as a mental condition by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). I created a website to help educate and help those who suffer.
I was contacted some years by Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D., of the Social Anxiety Institute in Phoenix, when he saw that website. Subsequently, he placed a link on his website to my article, "My Gossamer Dress".
Publications:
Published at AssociatedContent.com:
"My Gossamer Dress" - an Essay on the Inferiority Complex Associated with Social Anxiety Disorder
This article can be read here.
A Cup of Social Anxiety - A Recipe for Solitude
This article can be read here.
Education/Credentials:
Please see "Educational Credentials" below.
Education/Credentials
While I have no formal medical training, the extensive research I have done in the past fifteen years to learn about this condition, coupled with my own experience with the condition has given me a unique perspective and understanding of SAD.
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