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What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that can cause problems with your daily activities. Although most people feel uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, people with social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and fear. It can impact their relationships and careers. It can also cause depression and drug abuse.
Treatment can include cognitive behavior therapy as well as medication, role-playing, and social skills training. Antidepressants, such as beta blockers and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed.
Symptoms
Social anxiety disorder is defined by a high level of anxiety and fear when people are afraid 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 could avoid the situation they fear or be in distress and anxiety. These feelings are not in proportion to the risk or embarrassment. They also cause major disturbances in everyday life and interfere with relationships. People with this condition are less likely to make close friends, get jobs, or maintain close relationships. They are also more prone to depression and addiction issues.
This disorder may cause sweating, blushing, or shaking. The person may not be able to keep eye contact or communicate clearly. He or she may tremble when speaking on the phone or in writing. They may also find it difficult to keep the job due to poor performance in interviews or meetings.
In the most severe cases, symptoms of this disorder may cause a person to develop other anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder, as well as suicidal thoughts. In these instances, the treatment is usually more intensive and should be supervised by with a mental health professional who has expertise in treating these disorders.
Some psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be able to aid in treating social anxiety. CBT seeks to change negative beliefs or thoughts that can trigger the disorder. It also helps a person to face situations that cause anxiety slowly, with the help of the therapist in a safe environment. Another form of psychotherapy, called exposure and response prevention or cognitive delivered exposure, can be used to help people with extreme social anxiety disorder.
Psychological treatments are often combined with medications to treat the symptoms of this disorder. The medications can lessen or eliminate the painful 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 beneficial.
Diagnosis
Nearly everyone experiences some level of anxiety in certain social situations. For instance, meeting new people or going out for an evening date, or performing. When the fear is so overwhelming that it affects your daily routine, you may 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 is distinct from shyness. It is a genuine, chronic disease that requires treatment.
A health care provider will usually diagnose a condition by speaking with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist will then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to manage symptoms.
Certain types of talk therapy can aid in managing anxiety, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method assists a person recognize and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that cause the anxiety. It can help a person learn skills to cope with distressing situations, for example, by practicing relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It can also include exposure therapy, which entails gradually building up to social situations that a person is afraid of with the help of the therapist in a safe environment.
Many people with social anxiety disorder get relief from prescription medications, including antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline, (Zoloft) have been used to treat anxiety disorders involving social interaction. However, other drugs can be equally efficient. It can take a number of attempts to find the right medication.
Research suggests that a mix of treatments is the most efficient. This could include CBT and exposure therapy, or other types of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is important that a person receive treatment for anxiety, as the condition can lead to depression and addictions, such as alcohol or drugs. It can also lead to issues at school or at work and can cause isolation.
Some people with social anxiety might benefit from expressive therapies, like art therapy. This therapy helps people learn to express themselves through painting, drawing or other creative activities. It has been proven that in certain cases, it can help reduce the severity symptoms of anxiety.
Treatment
Many people are anxious when they meet new people or present a presentation. When the fear and anxiety persist, it can develop into a mental disorder, known as social anxiety disorder or phobia. It's more than just shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Treatment with psychotherapy or medication, or both are treatment options that could be considered.
A professional health care provider such as counselor or doctor is often able to provide a diagnosis. He or she may look into whether there are any physical ailments causing symptoms, and then suggest you see an expert in mental health, like psychologist or psychiatrist.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used method of psychotherapy to treat social anxiety disorder. In CBT you will be guided by a skilled therapist to challenge negative thought patterns and find more effective ways to handle stressful situations. In addition, you may try relaxation techniques and learn to confront your fears in small steps. CBT usually runs in multiple sessions, and you could be asked to complete your 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). These medications generally take several weeks before you begin to notice effects, and they can trigger adverse effects like headache or insomnia.
Beta-blockers are available to help control the physical symptoms of anxiety. They can help reduce physical symptoms of. These include a rapid heart rate and blood pressure rise sweating, shaking of the voice and limbs. But because these drugs are sedating and habit-forming and sedating, doctors do not typically prescribe them for the general treatment of social anxiety.
Research suggests that children who have social anxiety might be able to overcome it as they grow older however, if the disorder is not treated, it can lead to severe depression and other mental health problems. If your child has severe social anxiety disorder, speak with your GP regarding the treatment options available.
The following is a list of preventions.
Although it's normal to feel anxious or nervous in certain social situations like meeting new people, or giving an oral presentation, this feeling can become a disorder when it interferes with everyday activities and causes stress. It is more than shyness, and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships, and even your school or work performance. It is important to seek treatment if struggling with this disorder. Fortunately, there are many options for assistance, from therapy to medication to support groups.
People with social anxiety usually recognize that their fears are unfounded and exaggerated, yet they are unable to overcome them. They might avoid social interactions and are unable to access opportunities for education, employment, and friendships, and they are more susceptible to depression or addiction to drugs.
Talk therapy and stress management techniques like mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises are commonly used to treat social anxiety. A therapist can assist you to challenge the negative, unhelpful thoughts that cause your social anxiety. They then help you replace these thoughts with more positive ones. They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training and role-playing to assist you in tackling the situations that cause anxiety in a safe setting.
Medications can also be used to reduce some symptoms of social anxiety, such as heart palpitations or sweating. Before taking any medication, people who suffer from social anxiety should discuss possible adverse effects with their doctor.
Some mental health professionals suggest avoidance of substances such as caffeine, alcohol or other drugs that could increase the severity of your symptoms. They may recommend that you sleep well and eat a balanced diet. They might also advise you to try taking a walk in nature which can provide an uplifting effect and help you concentrate on the beauty of the world around you.
There are many ways to manage social anxiety. Whether you're seeking therapy or medication, it is crucial to begin treatment early so that your symptoms don't get out of control and keep you from living the life you want to live. BetterHelp can connect you to an accredited and licensed therapist who can help you deal with your emotions.
