[aristole]

I did a lot of things that was out of comfort zone like give a speech at a National Electronic Conference. That didn't cure my SAD or come any where close to it.

 

[Eclipse]

I have sent both the Dr. Phil show and the Oprah show several e-mails asking them to do a show on SAD. However, I never received a response. Unlike some other mental disorders, social anxiety disorder is not well understood by mental health professionals and the general public. Because most individuals with SAD have never seen this disorder discussed on any television show, they often feel that they are the only ones suffering from this disorder. I believe that more awareness needs to be raised when it comes to SAD, and that this awareness should begin with the media. I also believe that more research should be devoted to SAD. I am a mental health therapist who suffers from SAD, and when I was in graduate school and wanted to write a paper on this disorder, it was extremely difficult for me to locate any research articles on SAD, because very little research has been conducted on SAD.

 

[aristole]

You must be very courageous to be a therapist in spite of SAD. I saw an interveiw by chance on the University of California channel. There was a shrink researcher intervied about SAD. His name is Murray B. Stein and his email is [email protected] . He was responsive to my email. There's a psycholigist in Pheonic Arizona I think they call him Dr. Richard. He's a former SAD himself and does a lot of group therapies, has tape programs, Those who take his course also have group meetings in the larger cities. I was never involved with the program and I'm sure there's people in this website who has. Anxiety Association of America may also be a good source.

 

[Bishop]

Oprah had a show on SAD. She had on Ricky williams the football player.

 

[Eclipse]

Aristotle, thank you very much for the information, it is greatly appreciated. I am always interested in reading about the latest research being conducted on SAD, and am glad to know that these mental health professionals and organizations are conducting research on SAD.

Thank you also for calling me "courageous". I do not consider myself courageous. I faced many struggles and challenges while attending graduate school. Having to give presentations and participating in group projects was extremely difficult for me. Being taped while conducting counseling sessions was also very difficult. When I informed the professors about my SAD, some were understanding and allowed me to complete alternative assignments instead of giving the presentations. However, other professors were not so understanding. When I informed the director of the program (a therapist, I might add) that I suffered from SAD, she suggested that I leave the program. I told her that I was already enrolled in several courses, to which she responded: "If you leave, I will return the money you have spent on the courses". I remember she utilized the following example: "One cannot expect a blind person to perform surgery". I must admit that when I heard this, I cried, and wanted to leave the program, but then I became very angry and wanted to show the director that I could finish the program. Despite being faced with many challenges, and not receiving much support from my professors, I hung in there, and was able to graduate and obtain my degree. I believe that what helped me to not give up and leave the program was my desire to help others. Being faced with a mental problem myself, I have great compassion and understanding (perhaps more than therapists not facing a mental issue) for others facing a mental problem.

 

[aristole]

I still think you have been courageous and I like people who are humble.
I completed a B.A. degree in Psychology myself with the encouragement of a therapist. In 1975 their were no diagnosis for SAD. I never used my degree and was in another crises after graduation. I started doing Apartment maintenance and worked in various technical trades afterward till my retirement in 2001.
Things got much better for me after learning about SAD around 1997. Knowing I wasn't alone was 90% therapy. I was able to complete 2 Toastmasters Competency programs and have since become much better at carrying on conversations.
What kind of therapy do you do?

 

[Eclipse]

What a coincidence, my bachelor's degree is also in psychology. However, I later decided to pursue a master's degree in counseling instead of psychology. I am currently working on my doctoral degree in counseling.

I currently work with children and adolescents. I also conduct family therapy, supervised visitations, and therapeutic visitations.

Have you thought about going back to school and obtaining your master's degree? There are many excellent schools that offer online degrees. You are a good listener, therefore, you would make a very good counselor.

 

[tomcoldaba]

Things got much better for me after learning about SAD around 1997. Knowing I wasn't alone was 90% therapy. I was able to complete 2 Toastmasters Competency programs and have since become much better at carrying on conversations.

Knowing that I am not alone is major therapy for me. I just joined toastmasters to help me with some aspects of my social anxiety. Congratulations on becoming a CTM. I plan to complete my CTM too.

 

[aristole]

Am not thinking about getting into counseling though I have maintained an interest in psychology and spirituality. I am retired now and practicing permaculture on our 14 acres.
I am a big fan of Eckart Toole who wrote "The Power of Now" and "The New Earth". I began re-reading the Power of Now for about the 7th time. Because of the coping I have done dealing with secret shame and coping with many terrible bosses and job situations I have had an immense amount of dreadful past memories that tends to maintain the "pain Body". That concept has been immensley helpful and helps to keep me posistive though I still slip often. Most everyone has a "pain Body". I think that SAD folks tends to have more than usual particularly if they don't know what it is they have.
I have said in earlier posts that you folks in the forum may not realize the blessing and releif to know you are not alone. Somewhere I read SAD is #3 in mental health problems behind depression and alcoholism. The last shrink I saw in the Dallas area (his specialty was anxiety disorders) told me that half the alcoholics have SAD as the underlying cause. My father was a heavy drinker maybe borderline alcoholic and from pieces of memories I have of him I have infered that he also had SAD and he projected his shame on me. After the facts I have infered that I have come across quite a few people in my life that had SAD.
Any way I have felt that DR. Phil And Oprah could do a great public service by bringing up awareness to the public. I,m glad Oprah has done some. Dr. Phil well I can't even stand his show anymore as when I see what he has on it's about affairs and family abuses. He's a disappointment.

 

[Becky]

Re:

A couple years ago, Dr. Phil did a show on fears and phobias, claiming that anyone can get over their fears very quickly using the appropriate methods. I felt he didn't really have a clue about social anxiety so I emailed him and stated such. I never heard back from him. Surprise, surprise.

I saw that, he was saying it would only take like 4-8 sessions with a therapist and you'd be cured. Yeah, right! I never watched him again after that. The mans an idiot.