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Posted 11/30/2015 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
So I've been feeling quite depressed for about 3-4 weeks. I need to call my dr for an appointment but I have social anxiety and severe phone anxiety. I didn't even realize until a couple of nights ago I've been drinking about 1 bottle(sometimes a bit more) of wine almost every single night before bed for the last two weeks. Probably at least 12 out of 14 days. I didn't drink last night or tonight for fear of making it a habit or creating an addiction. I refuse to go down that path. I was drinking because it made me feel normal and I also didn't think much about it because of that. I've always been a bit of a drinker but just for fun and to relax. Maybe a bottle or two a week though, not every nightime! Why now that I've fallen into another depressive spell does drinking make me feel more normal/happier? I've never had this problem before. I enjoy drinking but certainly don't want to become an alcoholic!
Posted 11/30/2015 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Social and phone anxiety is awful.Addiction is hard to recognize and makes me wonder how wonderful you are to accept and diagnose .

Makes me humbled and please don't worry.Check in with Dr .

Anxiety and depression can do weird stuff .I completely gave up drinking .
Used to drink rarely but enjoyed it.
ANXIETY AND ALCOHOL DONT MIX WELL.
keep us posted .we support your healing process.
Good luck..
Posted 11/30/2015 9:19 AM (GMT 0)
Alcohol makes people depressed, even if you only drink a little so nightly drinking would be bad.

Sorry...

Hope you feel better.

Hugs, Karen,...
Posted 11/30/2015 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
PaigeDP, can you communicate with your doctor via e-mail to make the appointment?

I use to communicate with my therapist via e-mail to make appointments or if I had any questions, etc..

UA
Posted 11/30/2015 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Alcohol relieves inhibitions. For those of us with social anxiety, it tends to relax us, make us feel 'normal', a 'social lubricant'. That is what makes it such a trap for many of us. I'm glad you recognized the signs of potential abuse. It's sedative effects are very seductive. Since it is a depressant, it will eventually make any depression worse.

I know how you feel about phone calls. I won't even call and order a pizza! I make my daughter do it! Just seeing your post this morning helped me get up the courage to make the most important call of my day today. I set a aside my fear of embarrassment and was honest with the woman that answered the call. I've misplaced some very important paperwork and needed to get them replaced. I hope that will help you work up your own courage to get what you need done.

I also have problems opening mail. I know it's just a piece of paper, without the ability to make judgements but it's one of the hardest things for me to do.

Hang in there. Keep posting. We are not alone!
Posted 11/30/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have a friend or co-worker that your trust enough to come over be with your will you make the phone call?

Email is great if the office allows it.

Once you get that appointment made.

WRITE down, all the things you want the doctor to know. This is very important. You have already worked so hard to get to this point. The doc needs to know what you are expecting and what your symptoms are.

Don't let yourself down my freezing at the last minute with out an alternative. Your writing, list, explainations etc is you alternative..

Peace
Trina
Posted 11/30/2015 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Pitmom, do you have social anxiety? I've been plagued with it since I was a teenager.

Paige, would it help to go directly to the office? For me, showing up in person makes things easier. I never even looked at the phone and sometimes I still don't pick up my cell when it rings. People can leave a voice mail.

I suggest therapie and confrontation exercise. I'm working in a call center today and it got better.

Post Edited (Andrina) : 12/1/2015 6:17:40 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/30/2015 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Andrina, While 'social anxiety' is not on my 'official' diagnosis with my psychiatrist, I believe I do have it. I owe it to the fact that I am 4'11" tall as an adult. All through my life I have had short stature. I don't like crowds of any kind. I don't even like to go shopping as the aisles and racks are taller than I am and it is easy to 'lose' those I am with. People tend to crouch down when talking to me face to face, which is very uncomfortable for me. I had the competition of 4 siblings while growing up and felt that my comments were 'brushed aside' and 'unimportant'. I've done a lot of work trying to get more secure. I took a public speaking course in High School which was a huge help. I tend to talk, too much, to cover up my nervousness around people. It is a habit I am still trying to break. Meeting strangers is a huge battle for me. New doctors, new lawyer, new neighbors, etc. It's one of the biggest hurdles for me and one of the reasons my 'self care' is lacking. Only 'when the pain is great' do I make the necessary phone calls, etc.
Posted Yesterday 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys! Wow I'm so happy to see all the replies. It always helps to not feel alone. Actually I ended up calling my doctors office to make an appointment this afternoon while I was cooking dinner. I always have to make my phone calls while no one else is around and I'm already kind of busy doing something(driving, cooking, cleaning, our for a walk). I read all your responses and they're wonderful thank you :) I already feel better. Now to make sure my "smiling depression" doesn't get the best of me during my appointment and I can remember all the symptoms I've been having lately.
Posted Yesterday 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Ha! I just realized my "signature". I haven't changed it or any of my profile information in years. Funny how much we change over that short of a period of time. I'm guessing especially so in your late teens to mid twenties.
Posted Yesterday 9:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Paige,

Glad you made an appointment. Write a list of all you want to ask and say. That is what I do. I find doctors intimidating.

I hope you have a nice day!!!

Hugs, Karen...
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