What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can hinder with your daily activities. Although most people are uncomfortable or nervous in social situations, those suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and fear. It can impact their careers and relationships. It can also lead to depression and substance abuse.

Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and role-playing, or social skills training. Treatment options include antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Signs and symptoms

Social anxiety disorder is defined by intense fear and distress when people think that others will criticize them for their behavior. This includes when they meet people who are unfamiliar drinking or eating in public, or giving a a speech or performance. The person can choose to avoid the event or experience great distress and anxiety. These feelings aren’t in proportion to the risk or embarrassment. They can also lead to major disruptions to daily life and disrupt relationships. People with this condition are less likely to have close friends, get jobs, or maintain close relationships. They are also more prone to depression and substance abuse.

The condition can cause blushing, sweating, or shaking. The patient may not be able to communicate clearly or make eye contact. The person might feel tense when talking on the telephone or when writing, and could have difficulty maintaining the job due to inadequate performance during interviews or meetings.

In severe cases, this disorder can lead to other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder and suicidal thinking. In these instances the treatment is generally more intensive and should be supervised by an expert in mental health who is experienced in treating these disorders.

Certain psychotherapies, for instance cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help treat social anxiety disorder. CBT seeks to change negative thoughts or beliefs that cause the disorder. It also teaches the person to confront the situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the help of a therapist and an environment that is safe. A type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response or cognitively delivered exposure can be used to treat individuals with extreme social anxieties.

Psychological treatments are usually combined with medications to treat the symptoms of this disorder. These medications can reduce or eliminate the discomforting and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like paroxetine (Paxil) sertraline (Zoloft) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR), are typically prescribed for this disorder. Beta blockers and other antidepressants may also be helpful.

Diagnosis

Most people experience some degree of anxiety in certain social settings. For example, when making new acquaintances or going out for a date or performing. If the anxiety gets overwhelming and interferes with your daily life you might need to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder . The condition, referred to as social anxiety disorder, is not based solely on the person’s personality or their environment. It differs from shyness. It is a real, chronic illness that requires treatment.

A health care provider will usually diagnose a condition by speaking with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist could then recommend psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or medication to treat symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one kind of talk therapy that can help to manage anxiety. This method assists a person identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that trigger anxiety. It can teach a person how to handle stressful situations, including using relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It may also include exposure therapy, which involves gradually preparing for social situations that a person is scared of, with the guidance of the therapist in a safe environment.

Prescription medications like antidepressants and antianxiety medicines can provide relief for many sufferers of social anxiety disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a good example, like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft), are the first kind of medication used to treat this condition, but others may work just as well. Sometimes, it takes several attempts to determine the most appropriate medication for an individual.

Research has proven that a combination therapy is most efficient. This can include CBT, exposure therapy or another form of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is vital that an individual receives treatment for anxiety because it can cause depression or addictions, such as alcohol and other drugs. It can also cause issues at work or at school and cause isolation.

Art therapy, for example can be beneficial for some people with social anxiety. The therapy teaches people to express themselves through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been proven that in some cases it can reduce anxiety-related symptoms.

Treatment

Most people feel nervous in certain social situations, like making new acquaintances or giving a presentation. However, when the fear and anxiety persist in the long run, it can lead to a mental health condition known as social anxiety disorder or anxiety. It’s more than just shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Psychotherapy or medication, or both are treatment options that could be considered.

A health professional like counselor or doctor is often able to provide a diagnosis. They will examine to determine if any physical problems are causing your symptoms and then recommend you to an expert in mental health care like psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT you will be guided by a skilled counselor to confront negative thinking patterns and find better ways to deal with stressful situations. You may also learn relaxation techniques and how to confront your fears by taking one step at a. CBT usually takes place over several sessions, and you might be required to complete homework between sessions.

Social anxiety disorder can be treated with antidepressants. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are often prescribed for this condition, as well as the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). It can take several weeks before you start feeling the effects of these medications. They may also cause unwanted side effects like headaches or insomnia.

The use of medications that block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, including beta-blockers, are also available, and may aid in reducing some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heart rate and blood pressure as well as sweating and shaking of the limbs and voice. But since these medications are sedating and habit-forming, physicians don’t typically prescribe them for the general treatment of social anxiety.

Children suffering from social anxiety might outgrow the disorder as they get older however if it’s not addressed, it could lead to mental health and depression issues. If your child is suffering from severe social anxiety consult your GP about treatments options.

The following is a list of preventions.

While it’s normal to feel nervous or anxious in certain social situations, such as meeting new people or giving a presentation, this feeling can turn into a disorder when it interferes with everyday activities and causes anxiety. This is more than just shyness. It can affect your self-esteem, relationships and your work or school performance. It is essential to seek treatment if struggling with this condition. Fortunately, there are many options for help including medication, therapy to support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers are aware their fears could be unfounded or exaggerated, yet they still struggle to overcome their fears. They may avoid social interactions and may miss out on opportunities for opportunities for education, employment and friendships. They are also more susceptible to depression or addiction to drugs.

Talk therapy and stress management techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are commonly used to combat social anxiety. A therapist can teach you how to overcome negative, destructive thoughts that cause your anxiety about social situations and replace them with more balanced perspectives. They can also utilize social skills training, role-playing and other cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to help you to gradually confront the situations that cause anxiety in a safe environment.

A few of the symptoms that are associated with social anxiety can be treated by medication, including heart palpitations and excessive sweating. Patients suffering from this condition should always discuss potential adverse effects with their doctor before starting any medication.

Some mental health professionals recommend avoidance of substances such as caffeine, alcohol or other substances that may increase the severity of your symptoms. They might suggest that you get enough sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet. They may also advise you to take walks in the nature that can have a calming effect and help you focus on the beauty of the world around you.

Finding help for social anxiety is very common, and there are many treatment options available. If you’re looking for therapy or medication, it is important to start treatment early so that your symptoms don’t spiral out of control and prevent you from living the life you want to live. BetterHelp can connect you with an accredited and licensed therapist to help you manage your feelings.