What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can cause problems with everyday life. Although most people feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations, those with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It affects their relationships and careers. It can also lead to depression and substance abuse.

Treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and role-playing or social skills training. Antidepressants, including beta blockers and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed.

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel intense fear or distress in situations where they believe others will observe their behavior and evaluate them negatively. This can include situations like meeting new people, eating or drinking in public, or delivering an address. The person may avoid the fearful situation or be in anxiety and stress. These feelings are in proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment. They also cause significant disturbances in everyday life and interfere with relationships. People suffering from this condition have a lower likelihood of having close friends and finding a job or maintaining close relationships. severe anxiety disorder are also more susceptible to depression and addiction issues.

This condition can cause sweating, blushing, or shaking. The patient may not be able speak clearly or maintain eye contact. The person might feel tense when on the phone or writing, and might have trouble keeping an employment position due to the inability to perform well during interviews or meetings.

In extreme cases, this disorder may cause other anxiety disorders, major depression disorder and suicidal ideation. In these cases, treatment is usually more intense and should be guided by an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating these disorders.

Certain types of psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help in treating social anxiety. CBT is designed to alter negative thoughts or beliefs that can trigger the disorder. It also helps a person to confront situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the help of a therapist in a safe setting. A type of psychotherapy called exposure and response or cognitive delivered exposure may be used to treat individuals who suffer from extreme social anxiety.

The use of medication is usually in conjunction with psychological treatments to ease symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce or eliminate the painful and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are usually prescribed for this disorder. Beta blockers and other antidepressants are also effective.

Diagnosis

Everyone is anxious in certain social situations, like meeting new people, going on an evening date, or performing an event. However, if the fear gets overwhelming and affects everyday life and activities, a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder might be required. Also called social phobia, the disorder is not based on a person’s personality or the environment and differs from shyness. It is a genuine, chronic illness that requires treatment.

A medical professional can usually diagnose the condition by talking with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist could then recommend psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy or medication to treat symptoms.

Certain types of talk therapy can help manage anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This approach helps a person recognize and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that cause the anxiety. It can help people learn to handle stressful situations, including relaxation techniques or calming breathing. It can also include exposure therapy, which is gradually preparing for social situations that one fears with the guidance of the therapist in a safe environment.

Antidepressants, prescription medications, and antianxiety medicines can provide relief for many people with social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are used to treat anxiety disorders involving social interaction. However, other medications can be equally efficient. It can take several attempts to find the appropriate medication.

Research suggests that a mix of treatments is the most effective. This can be CBT exposure therapy, CBT, or another type of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is essential that individuals receive treatment for anxiety since it could lead to depression or addictions like alcohol and drugs. It can also cause problems at work or school and can cause isolation.

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

Treatment

Many people are nervous when they meet new people or deliver presentations. When the fear and anxiety persist, it could develop into a mental disorder, known as social anxiety disorder or phobia. It’s more than shyness and requires treatment. Treatment options include medication, psychotherapy or both.

Often, the first step is getting an assessment from a health care professional, such as a physician or counselor. He or she may check to see if there are any physical ailments causing symptoms, and then suggest you see a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular form of psychotherapy for treating social anxiety disorders. In CBT therapy, a certified therapist or counselor helps you confront negative thinking patterns and develop better strategies to handle stressful situations. You can also learn relaxation techniques and ways to face your fears one step at a time. CBT typically takes place over several sessions, and you could be asked to complete assignments between sessions.

Social anxiety disorder can be treated using 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 could take several weeks before you feel the effects of these medications. They may also cause side effects like headaches or insomnia.

Medications that block the stimulating effects of adrenaline, such as beta-blockers are also available, and may assist in controlling some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate, sweating and shaking voice and limbs. But because these drugs can cause dependence and induce sedation, physicians don’t typically prescribe them for general treatment of social anxiety.

Children suffering from social anxiety might be able to overcome the condition as they get older However, if the disorder is not addressed, it could cause to serious depression and mental health issues. If your child is suffering from severe social anxiety disorder consult your GP regarding treatments options.

The following is a list of preventatives.

It’s normal to feel nervous or anxious in a social setting like meeting new people or giving an appearance. However, this anxiety can turn into a disorder if it interferes with your everyday activities and causes stress. This is more than just shyness. It can affect your self-esteem and relationships as well as school or work performance. It is important to seek treatment if you’re struggling with this disorder. There are many ways to get help, including treatment, medication, and support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers typically acknowledge that their fears are not rational and exaggerated, yet they struggle to overcome them. They may avoid social interaction and may miss out on opportunities for friendships, education, and employment. They are also more likely to be depressed or substance abuse.

Talk therapy and stress management techniques like mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises are often used to treat social anxiety. A therapist can assist you to overcome the negative, harmful thoughts that trigger your social anxiety. They will then replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as social skills training and role-playing in order to help you deal with situations that cause anxiety in a secure setting.

The use of medications can also help to reduce some symptoms of social anxiety, such as heart palpitations and sweating. Before taking any medication, those who suffer from social anxiety must discuss the possible adverse effects with their physician.

Some mental health professionals recommend avoiding substances like alcohol, caffeine, or drugs that can increase the severity of your symptoms. They might suggest that you sleep enough and eat a healthy diet. It is possible to take a stroll outside which will aid in relaxing and focusing on the beauty of nature.

The need for help with social anxiety is very common, and there are many treatment options available. It is important to seek treatment promptly, whether seeking therapy or medication. This will stop your symptoms from becoming out of control. If you need assistance, BetterHelp can match you with a certified, licensed professional who can assist you to cope with your feelings and flourish in your daily life.