What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can interfere with daily life. While most people feel nervous or uncomfortable when they are in social situations, those with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It can impact their relationships and careers. It can also result in depression and alcohol abuse.
Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and role-playing or social skill training. Medications may include antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.
Signs and symptoms
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme fear and anxiety when people think that people will criticize them for their behavior. This can include meeting people who are not familiar with them, eating or drinking in public, or giving a an address or performance. The person could avoid the fearful situation or be in anxiety and distress. These feelings are in proportion to the actual danger or embarrassment involved. They also cause major disruptions to daily life and affect relationships. People with this condition are less likely to have close relationships, get jobs, or maintain their intimate relationships. They are also at higher risk of developing depression and abuse.
The condition may cause sweating, blushing or shaking. The person may not be able to communicate clearly or maintain eye contact. They may tremble when talking on the telephone or when writing, and could have trouble keeping an employment position due to the inability to perform well in meetings or interviews.
In extreme instances, this disorder could lead to other anxiety disorders, major depression disorder and suicidal thinking. In these cases, treatment is usually more intensive and should be supervised by an expert in mental health who has experience in managing these disorders.
Certain psychotherapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be able to help treat social anxiety disorder. CBT seeks to change negative thoughts or beliefs which contribute to the disorder. It also teaches people to confront situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the help of a therapist in a safe environment. A type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevent or cognitive delivered exposure may be utilized to treat those with extreme social anxieties.
Medication is often used in conjunction with psychological treatments to ease symptoms of this Disorder Social anxiety. 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 usually prescribed for this condition. Other antidepressants and beta blockers may also be beneficial.
Diagnosis
Nearly everyone experiences some level of anxiety in certain social situations. For example, when you meet new people or going out for an evening date or performing. If the anxiety becomes overwhelming, and it affects your daily routine it is possible to be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia, the disorder is not based on the individual’s personality or environment, and is distinct from shyness. It is a real, chronic illness that requires treatment.
A medical professional is able to diagnose the condition by speaking to the patient and performing an examination. The therapist may then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to alleviate symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that helps manage anxiety. This approach helps the person recognize and alter negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause anxiety. It can teach someone how to handle stressful situations, such as using relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It could also involve exposure therapy, which entails gradually working up to the social situations a person fears with the guidance of an experienced therapist in a secure environment.
Prescription medications like antidepressants and antianxiety medications can be a relief for people with social anxiety disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline, (Zoloft), have been used to treat social anxiety disorders. However, other drugs could be equally effective. Sometimes, it takes a number of attempts to find the best medication for a person.
Research has proven that a combination therapy is most efficient. This can include CBT exposure therapy, or another type of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is important that someone receive treatment for anxiety, as the condition can lead to depression and addictions like alcohol or drugs. It can also cause issues at school or at work and lead to isolation.
Some people with social anxiety may benefit from expressive therapies, such as art therapy. This helps people express their feelings through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been proven to decrease the severity of symptoms of anxiety in some instances.
Treatment
Many people feel anxious when they meet new people or give a presentation. However, if the fear and anxiety persist, it becomes a mental health disorder called social anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder treatment fear. It is 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 like a doctor or counselor. They may conduct a look into whether there are any physical ailments that are causing the symptoms, and then recommend you to an expert in mental health, like psychologist or psychiatrist.
The most commonly used psychotherapy to treat anxiety disorders affecting social phobia is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT, a trained counselor or therapist helps you confront negative thinking patterns and discover better ways to manage stressful situations. You can also learn relaxation techniques and how to confront your fears by taking one step at a. CBT typically takes place in multiple sessions, and you may be asked to complete assignments between sessions.
Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders, and can be effective for 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). These medications typically last for several weeks before you start to notice any effects, and can trigger negative side effects, such as insomnia or headaches.
Medications that block the stimulating effects of adrenaline, like beta-blockers are also available, and may help control certain physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid blood pressure and heart rate, sweating and shaking vocal cords and limbs. These medications are a source of addiction and can cause sedation. Therefore doctors do not usually prescribe them to treat social anxiety disorder quitting smoking.
Children suffering from social anxiety might outgrow the condition as they get older However, if the disorder is not treated, it can lead to mental health and depression issues. If your child suffers from severe social anxiety, speak with your GP about the treatment options available.
Prevention
While it’s normal to feel nervous or anxious in certain social situations, like meeting new people or giving a presentation, this feeling may become a problem when it interferes with daily activities and causes stress. This is more than shyness. It can affect your self esteem and relationships as well as school or work performance. If you are struggling with this issue it is essential to seek out help. There are many ways to seek help, including therapy, medication, and support groups.
People who suffer from social anxiety typically recognize that their fears are unfounded and overblown, but they struggle to overcome them. They may avoid social interaction and are unable to access opportunities for education, work, and friendships, and they are more susceptible to depression or addiction to drugs.
Stress management and talk therapy techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are commonly employed to combat social anxiety. A therapist can help combat the negative and unhelpful thoughts that cause your social anxiety. They then help you replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as social skills training and role-playing to help you face the situations that make you anxious in a safe environment.
Some of the symptoms associated with social anxiety can be cured by medication, such as excessive sweating and heart palpitations. People suffering from this condition should always discuss potential side effects with their doctors prior to taking any medication.
Some mental health professionals suggest abstaining from substances that can make your symptoms worse, including caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. They may recommend that you rest enough and eat healthy food. You may be advised to go for a walk, which can aid in relaxing and focusing on the beauty of nature.
There are many methods to treat social anxiety disorder behaviors. If you’re looking for therapy or medication, it’s crucial to begin treatment early so that your symptoms don’t get out of control, preventing you from living the life you deserve. BetterHelp can connect you to an accredited and licensed counselor to help you deal with your emotions.