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 everyday life. It can affect their relationships and careers. It can also cause depression and drug abuse.
Treatment could include cognitive behavioral therapy including medication, role-playing, medication and social skills training. Antidepressants, such as beta blockers and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed.
Symptoms
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a high level of anxiety and fear when people think that others will be negative about them based on their behavior. This includes situations such as meeting new people, eating and drinking in public or giving a speech. The person can either avoid the feared event or experience great distress and anxiety. The anxiety and stress are not in proportion to the risk or embarrassment. They also cause major disturbances in everyday life and affect relationships. People suffering from this condition are less likely to have close friends, find jobs, or maintain intimate relationships. They also have a higher risk of developing depression and substance abuse.
The symptoms of this disorder could include shaking, blushing or sweating. The person might not be able speak clearly or make eye contact. He or she might tremble when talking on the telephone or when writing, and could be unable to maintain a job because of poor performance during interviews or meetings.
In what causes anxiety disorders , this disorder could result in other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation. In these instances the treatment will be more intense and should be directed by an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating these disorders.
Some types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help treat social anxiety disorder. CBT aims at changing negative thoughts or beliefs that cause the disorder. It also helps the patient to confront the situations that trigger anxiety slowly with the help of a therapist, and in an environment that is safe. A type of psychotherapy called exposure and response or cognitive delivered exposure may be used to treat people who suffer from extreme social anxiety.
Psychological treatments are often paired with medication to treat symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce or eliminate the discomforting and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. The treatment for this disorder is typically with selective serotonin receptor inhibits such as paroxetine, sertraline, or Venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants are also effective.
Diagnosis
Most people feel nervous in certain social situations, such as meeting new people, going on a date or giving an appearance. When the fear becomes overwhelming, and it affects your daily routine you might need to be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia, the condition is not based on the person's personality or environment. It is different from shyness. It is a persistent real illness that requires treatment.
A medical professional will typically determine if a condition is present through a conversation with the patient and performing a physical examination. The therapist will then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to help manage symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one kind of therapy that can help to manage anxiety. This method assists a person identify and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that trigger anxiety. It can help people learn to handle stressful situations, including relaxation techniques or calming breathing. It could also include an exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing a person to the social situations that they are afraid of under the guidance of a therapist.
Antidepressants, prescription medications, and antianxiety medication can offer relief to many people with social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are the first kind of medication used to treat this disorder but other drugs may perform just as well. It can take a number of attempts to determine the best medication.
Research shows that a combination of therapies is the most effective. This may include CBT and exposure therapy, or other kinds of psychological treatment like interpersonal therapy. It is important that people seek treatment for anxiety because the condition can cause depression and addictions, like alcohol or drugs. It can also lead to problems at work or school and cause isolation.
Art therapy, for example can be beneficial for certain people suffering from social anxiety. This therapy teaches people how to express themselves through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been proven that in certain cases, it can reduce anxiety symptoms to a lesser degree.
Treatment
Most people feel nervous in certain social situations, such as meeting new people or giving a the presentation. However, if anxiety and fear continue to linger and it develops into a mental health condition known as social anxiety disorder or social anxiety. It's more than just shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Therapy or medication, or both are options for treatment.
Often, the first step is to get an accurate diagnosis from a health care professional, such as a physician or counselor. They will examine to determine if physical issues are causing your symptoms. They will then refer you to an expert in mental health care like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The most commonly used psychotherapy to treat anxiety disorders affecting social phobia is cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT). In CBT therapy, a certified counselor or therapist assists you to confront negative thinking patterns and develop better strategies to manage stressful situations. Additionally, you'll be able to practice relaxation techniques and learn to confront your fears in small steps. CBT typically takes place over several sessions, and you might be asked to complete your homework between sessions.
Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders and they 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 begin to notice effects, and they can trigger negative side effects, such as insomnia or headaches.
Medications that block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, like beta-blockers are also available and may help control some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid blood pressure and heart rate, sweating and shaking the limbs and voice. These drugs are a source of addiction and can cause sedation. Therefore doctors do not usually prescribe them to treat social anxiety.
Children who suffer from social anxiety may overcome the condition as they get older However, if the disorder is not treated, it can lead to mental health and depression issues. Consult your GP if your child has a severe social anxiety disorders.
The following is a list of preventions.
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 anxiety. This is more than just shyness. It can affect your self-esteem, relationships and your work or school performance. If you have issues with this condition it is crucial to seek help. There are a variety of options for help from medication to therapy to support groups.
People with social anxiety usually realize that their fears are unfounded and exaggerated, but they struggle to overcome these fears. They might avoid social interactions and may miss out on opportunities for education, employment and friendships. They also are at greater risk for depression or abuse of substances.
Talk therapy and stress management techniques such as mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises are often used to help with social anxiety. A therapist can help you combat the negative and unhelpful thoughts that trigger your social anxiety. They then help you replace these thoughts with more positive ones. They can also employ the role-playing technique, social skills training as well as other cognitive behavior therapies (CBT) to help you gradually face the situations that trigger anxiety in a secure environment.
Some of the symptoms associated with social anxiety can be treated with medication, such as heart palpitations and excessive sweating. Before taking any medication, individuals with social anxiety should discuss the possible adverse effects with their doctor.
Some mental health professionals recommend avoid substances that could cause your symptoms to worsen like caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. They may recommend that you rest enough and eat healthy food. You might be advised to go for a walk, which can help you relax and concentrate on the beauty of nature.
Finding help for social anxiety is very common, and there are many treatment options available. It is crucial to seek treatment promptly, whether seeking therapy or medication. This will prevent your symptoms from getting out of control. If you're in need of assistance, BetterHelp can match you with a certified, licensed therapist who can help you cope with your feelings and thrive in everyday life.
