please help neurotransmitters question

[timtron]

gday from Australia,

I have a question, if anyone could help me out, I'm trying to find out the cause of my shyness and shyness in general. I think it has to do with neurotransmitters, since differentbrain supplements affect me SO MUCH negatively or positively. eg. gaba makes me extremely paranoid and "dark", tryptophan makes me hugely sleepy and dopey, st johns wort makes me nervous and jumpy. Its seriously all over the place. One postive supplement that works mildy is acidophilus.

To anyones knowledge, is SA/shyness caused by

1.High serotonin high dopamine
2.Low serotonin low dopamine
3.High serotonin low dopamine
4.Low serotonin High dopamine ??

5. high acetylcholine
6. low acetylcholine?

7. low gaba which affects all the above anyway?

[Kathy100]

I'm not sure but would also really like to know an answer to this! All I have found is that SSRI's are the first line treatment. I have read a couple places that it is hypersensitivity to serotonin. I take this to mean a deficiency in. Yet the 3 top SSRI's for SA that I've tried (Paxil, Zoloft, & Prozac) all make me more anxious! Benzos calm you down but they are basically tranquilizers. Right now, I would say nothing works!

[timtron]

interesting kath,

I havent tried SSRIs but from testing herbs and supplements that are supposed to increase serotonin I get worse too! I have read somewhere that high serotonin makes one shy and nervous. I'm going to try L theanine this week which apparently lowers serotonin to see if it helps..

[Scotty23]

low dopamine definitely.

[OpenSky]

This is such a great question!

Would love to know the answer...

What about Oxytocin..isn't there a nasal spray in the US that's supposed to make you bond with people?

[KramersHalfSister]

For me, it's gaba. I've responded VERY well to gabapentin and it completely wiped out any and all panic attacks and social anxiety. It also makes me so happy and content without feeling drugged or sluggish. Gaba is the neurotransmitter that's responsible for having a calming and relaxing effect so I guess that's what I'm low on. SSRI's don't do anything for anxiety because that's not what serotonin is meant to do in our brains and yet pdocs always want to prescribe those over anything else.

[bluepaint]

High adrenaline? :P

[timtron]

Dang I forgot about oxytocin and adrenaline! Would love to know how I respond to oxytocin. I think its the hug hormone - makes you want to hug and cuddle everyone.

Adrenaline can definately have something to do with it. I had a urine test last year for something similar - cortisol. I was in the high end of normal. I hear high or low cortisol can have something to do with SA too.

Dopamine yeah maybe for some. For me tyrosine and phenylaline seem to make me more nervous I think. I tried them a couple years ago and I think I stopped after a while.

Ill have to look into gabapentin I didnt know it wqas for anxiety. Hey just wikied it - seems to be good for pain and chronic fatigue! I've got chronic fatigue, I should definately look into it!

[FearIsBad]

From personal experience I can tell you that low serotonin and slightly high levels of dopamine cause social anxiety. I wouldn't wish low serotonin on anyone as it can cause all sorts of psychological problems like OCD, negative thoughts, sensitivity to people, variable depression, addictions, constant reassurance, sleep problems, confidence problems and sometimes personality disorders. How to remedy this is the biggest question, since low serotonin could be a genetic issue. SSRI's, 5-HTP, sunshine, execise are all temporary solutions. I feel people who get into jobs or interact with someone/s who are bubbly and funny will give them this high. Fame, power are known serotonin boosters.

[scarecrow]

I don't think SA has anything to do with a chemical imbalance, unless your popping pills. I'd say it's like a learned behavior through bad experiences socially.

[OakMan]

I think low dopamine and low serotonin.