Social phobia?

On 2004-04-13 15:59:40 -0400, "Rich"
<[email hidden]> said:

This happens to me whenever I'm in a Wal-Mart. What a human
freakshow. I just go to Target instead.

Quoted message said:

When in a crowd of people (such as a Wal-Mart store):

1. You sweat
2. Your face muscles become tense
3. Your eyes water, and your lips become red and inflamed
(as though you are crying)
4. Your eyes focus on the floor and away from people
5. You become extremely fatigued and almost pass out

Rich said:

When in a crowd of people (such as a Wal-Mart store):

1. You sweat
2. Your face muscles become tense
3. Your eyes water, and your lips become red and inflamed
(as though you are crying)
4. Your eyes focus on the floor and away from people
5. You become extremely fatigued and almost pass out

This is a friend of mine. He's what you might call a Type
A / introvert personality. He is very smart, his IQ is
just way up there.. but he's lacking in other areas. He
cannot stand to be around people that he doesn't know,
especially large crowds. It seems to affect him more if he
is in a bad mood. Sometimes if he's in a great mood, this
doesn't happen. Any ideas? What's his problem? He seems to
want help but I can't stand to be around him when this
happens and nothing I say seems to help.

Maybe just a phobic reaction or panic attack?

But a few things you mention make me think
Asperger's/Autism. Have him read alt.support.autism and see
if things seem to fit.

High IQ, introvert, overload in confusing environments,
problems dealing with strangers

Are all consistent with it.

Does he have sensory issues? Things like being sensitive to
sounds, or bright light, clothing sensitivities, and/or
being a picky eater due to food textures. Some of these are
usually but not always present.

---
A new legal high: 1 tbsp of Dave's Insanity sauce, savor
slowly without drinking water. As soon as the screaming,
running around in agony, and thrashing about on the floor
is over, you'll feel great, trust me... ]🙂 Be a counter
terrorist perpetrate random senseless acts of kindness

give him paxil or 5htp

Quoted message said:

give him paxil or 5htp

I'd recommend caution. If he is on the autistic spectrum his
reaction to drugs may be unusual. Sensitivity to anti
depressants is very common, some who do take them take 1/8th
the normal dosage.

---
A new legal high: 1 tbsp of Dave's Insanity sauce, savor
slowly without drinking water. As soon as the screaming,
running around in agony, and thrashing about on the floor
is over, you'll feel great, trust me... ]🙂 Be a counter
terrorist perpetrate random senseless acts of kindness