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How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and could be a sign that you have social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is characterised by fear or distress when confronted with performance or social situations. The anxiety or stress in a particular situation is out of proportion with the actual risk. The fear could be specific or generalized.
Treatment
People suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and stress that is not proportional to the actual risk like being embarrassed or snubbed in public. These feelings can lead to avoidance of social situations, and in some cases depression or other health issues. Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options for this disorder.
Medications and psychotherapy can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy (also referred to as cognitive behavior treatment) can aid in developing coping strategies to manage anxiety and change negative thoughts patterns. Together, you and your therapist can build your confidence to tackle stressful situations. This type of treatment usually takes between 12 and 16 sessions.
In person or online, you can access therapy sessions via a chat. Exposure therapy is a common method of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself social situations that make you uncomfortable. In this way, you can teach your brain that the situations aren't as risky as they appear.
There are a variety of medication that treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take a few weeks or even months to get started. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can help reduce anxiety. They may also help your depressive symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) are also able to help to reduce your symptoms, but they should only be used short-term.
You and your doctor must consider the risks and benefits of each medication before deciding one. Certain antidepressants may affect your ability to sleep, and others can increase the risk of suicide. If you're considering using an antidepressant in the future, you should discuss it with your therapist or psychologist. Your therapist and you should also consider whether the medication may interact with other medications or supplements you're taking, like herbal remedies. In addition to evaluating the medication your doctor needs to determine the extent to which your social anxiety is and how it impacts your daily life.
Self-help
Everyone experiences anxiety or discomfort in social situations sometimes however, those feelings are different from those who suffer from severe social anxiety disorder. For someone who has this disorder, it's more than only a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior to making a speech in public or getting nervous about meeting new friends; they have an unending fear that people will judge them or shame them in some way. Social anxiety disorder is so debilitating that it affects all aspects of life, including work and relationships as well as home. There are a myriad of self-help strategies available to help people with social anxiety disorder improve their quality of life.
Self-help can be described as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of therapy that assists people to understand anxiety and alter the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be done in a group or individually with a therapist, and is often combined with medication. People who suffer from social anxiety should also engage in activities that they like. Exercise, for instance can help reduce anxiety and improve mood. Another method to help yourself is to spend time with positive people. It can be difficult for someone with social anxieties to surround themselves with positive people.
It is possible to overcome social anxiety by tackling the challenges, particularly if you are competitive. It could be as simple as an exercise in competition with yourself. For instance try to talk to everyone at a gathering more than you did last time. Or, it could be as large as accepting a promotion at work or going back to school for the degree you want in your area of interest.
Consult your general practitioner if you haven't sought help for anxiety related to social. They can refer you to an expert in mental health who can offer guidance and assistance. Self-help options include psychotherapy as well as medication. anxiety disorders medicine is not the only solution to anxiety in social situations however, it can reduce the symptoms and decrease the intensity of your anxiety.
Medication
If you experience anxiety and fear that affects your daily life, or makes you avoid certain situations or big life changes, talk to a health care provider. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and conduct an examination to ensure that there isn't a recurrent medical issue. If your doctor suspects you have social anxiety disorder, he or she will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are many types of psychotherapy that can treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you new techniques for dealing with anxiety, can help change your negative thoughts and feelings that cause anxiety. CBT can be performed by yourself or in an organization that supports you. Another form of psychotherapy is called exposure therapy, in which a healthcare professional helps you gradually face the things that make you feel anxious or uncomfortable instead of avoiding them.
Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can also help with the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. These antidepressants trigger changes in your brain that boost your mood and reduce anxiety. It may take some time before the medications begin working. Some people with social anxiety disorder might also benefit from benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These medications work quickly to reduce anxiety, and they can also be habit-forming, and are usually only used for brief periods of time or on-demand in specific circumstances, like prior to giving speech.
There are numerous other types of medications that can help with social anxiety, such as tricyclic antidepressants, as well as a group of drugs referred to as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the right medication for you based on your symptoms and any other health issues or allergies that you have. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medications, supplements or vitamins. Also discuss any possible adverse reactions. It is crucial to keep taking your medication as prescribed even if you're feeling better. If you stop taking your medication suddenly, it increases the likelihood of suffering a rebound.
Support groups
If you're a social anxious person, support groups can help you overcome your fears and learn to manage your condition. These groups offer a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere in which you can discuss your issues with other people who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve the quality of your life. Support groups are accessible in person or online.
Be aware of the group's structure and the membership requirements prior to joining. For instance, some support groups are led by mental health professionals and others are self-help organizations with no professional guidance. You should also think about whether the group will meet regularly or if it will operate on a more flexible basis. You might also want to think about how many members will be present and the amount of privacy you'll enjoy.
Asking your doctor or therapist for suggestions is the best method to locate a support group. You must also read reviews of different groups and ask for feedback from those who have participated in the group. You can also utilize the resources offered by ADAA which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a directory of community and online support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.
Social anxiety disorder can make meeting with strangers a terrifying experience. The idea of standing in front of others can also be intimidating. Request a friend or family member to accompany you to the first few meetings if you're worried about attending alone. You can also find support groups through a website like Support Groups Central, which provides audio and video calls, discussion forums and chat rooms.
A great support group can assist you in overcoming your social anxiety. It will teach you that you're not alone, and it will help you realize that negative thoughts about yourself are not true or distorted. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the abilities to manage your social anxieties. However any advice you get from a support group should be taken with care and should not replace the recommended treatment plan of your doctor.
