What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

While we all get anxious or uncomfortable in certain social situations, people who suffer from social anxiety disorders have extreme anxiety and fear that can affect their daily lives. It affects their relationships and careers. It can also lead to depression and substance abuse.

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

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel intense fear or distress when they are in situations where they think others will observe their actions and judge their behavior negatively. This can be the case when meeting new people, eating or drinking in public or giving an address. The person could avoid the fearful situation or endure it with intense distress and anxiety. These emotions are out of proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment involved. They also cause major disruptions in daily life and affect relationships. People with this condition are less likely to have close friends, get jobs, or maintain close relationships. They also are at a greater risk of developing depression and substance abuse.

The signs of this disorder may include shaking, blushing, or sweating. The person may not be able to keep eye contact or communicate clearly. The person may feel tense when speaking on the phone or in writing. They may also struggle to maintain an employment position due to poor performance in interviews or meetings.

In the most severe cases, symptoms of this disorder may cause the sufferer to develop additional anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder, and even suicidal thoughts. In these instances the treatment will be more intense and should be supervised by a mental health professional with experience in managing these disorders.

Certain psychotherapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be able to aid in treating social anxiety. CBT aims to alter negative thoughts or beliefs that cause the disorder. It also teaches a person to confront situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the help of an experienced therapist in a secure environment. A type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevent or cognitive delivered exposure can be used to treat individuals who suffer from extreme social anxiety.

The use of medication is usually in conjunction with psychological therapies to alleviate symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. This disorder is usually treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibits like sertraline, paroxetine, or Venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants may also be helpful.

Diagnosis

Nearly everyone experiences some level of anxiety in certain social situations. For instance, when making new acquaintances or going out for dates, or performing. When the fear is so overwhelming that it impacts your daily life it is possible to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Also called social phobia, the disorder is not rooted in a person’s personality or the environment and differs from shyness. It is a real chronic illness that requires treatment.

A doctor can usually diagnose the condition through a conversation with patients and conducting an examination. The therapist might then suggest psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy or medication to treat symptoms.

Some types of talk therapy may help with anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method helps people identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause anxiety. It can teach a person how to handle stressful situations, such as practicing relaxation techniques and calm breathing. It can also include exposure therapy, which involves gradually working up to the social situations that one is afraid of with the help of a therapist in a safe environment.

Prescription medications such as antidepressants and antianxiety medication can be a relief for people suffering from social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline, (Zoloft), have been used to treat social anxiety disorder. However, other drugs could be equally efficient. It can take several attempts to determine the best medication.

Research has shown that a combination therapy is most efficient. This can be CBT exposure therapy, or another form of psychological treatment, such as interpersonal therapy. It is important that people seek treatment for anxiety as the condition can lead to depression and addictions, like alcohol or drugs. It can also cause problems at work or at school and lead to isolation.

Art therapy, for instance can be beneficial to certain people suffering from social anxiety. It teaches people to express their feelings through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been shown to reduce the severity of anxiety-related symptoms in some cases.

Treatment

Many people are anxious when they meet new people or give an presentation. However, if anxiety and fear continue to linger, it becomes a mental health issue called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It’s more than shyness and requires treatment. Treatment options include psychotherapy, medication or both.

A health professional such as a doctor or counselor is often able to provide an assessment. He or she will check to see if any physical problems are causing your symptoms. They will then recommend you to an expert in mental health for help, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The most commonly used psychotherapy to treat social anxiety disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT you will be guided by a trained counselor to confront negative thought patterns and find better ways to deal with stressful situations. In addition, you may try relaxation techniques and learn to face your fears in small steps. CBT usually takes place over multiple sessions, and you might be required to complete homework between sessions.

Antidepressants are frequently used to treat anxiety disorders, and can be effective for some people with social anxiety disorders. 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 for you to begin feeling the effects of these drugs. They may also cause side effects like insomnia or headache.

The use of medications that block the stimulating effects of adrenaline, including beta-blockers, are also available, and may help control some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate as well as sweating and shaking of vocal cords and limbs. These medications can be addictive and sedative. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe these medications to treat social anxiety.

Research suggests that children who have social anxiety may outgrow it as they grow older, but if the disorder is left untreated it could lead to serious depression and other mental health issues. Consult your GP when your child is suffering from severe social anxiety disorder.

Prevention

It’s normal to feel anxious or anxious when you are in a social situation, such as meeting new people or making an appearance. However, this anxiety can turn into a disorder when it affects your daily activities and causes stress. This condition is more than just shyness. It can affect your self esteem as well as relationships, and even school or work performance. If you are struggling with this condition it is crucial to seek out help. There are a variety of options for assistance from medication to therapy to support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers are aware that their fears may be irrational or exaggerated, yet they still struggle to overcome their fears. They might avoid social interactions and do not have the opportunity to gain education, employment, or friendships, and are more susceptible to depression or abuse of substances.

Treatment for social anxiety typically involves talk therapy and methods for managing stress such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation. disorders anxiety can help you learn how to confront negative, destructive thoughts that contribute to your anxiety about social situations and replace them with more balanced thoughts. They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as social skills training, and role-playing to assist you in tackling the situations that cause anxiety in a secure setting.

Certain of the symptoms that are associated with social anxiety can be addressed by medication, including heart palpitations and excessive sweating. People with this condition should discuss potential adverse effects with their doctor prior to starting any medication.

Some mental health professionals recommend abstaining from substances such as caffeine, alcohol or other drugs that could increase the severity of your symptoms. They may suggest that you sleep well and eat a healthy diet. You might be advised to take a walk outside, which can help you relax and concentrate on the beauty of nature.

Finding help for social anxiety is very common and there are numerous treatment options available. Whether you’re seeking treatment or medication, it is crucial to begin treatment early so that your symptoms don’t get out of control, preventing you from living the life you desire. BetterHelp can connect you with an accredited and licensed counselor to help you deal with your emotions.