What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that can cause problems with your daily activities. While many people feel uncomfortable or anxious when in social situations, those with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It can affect their relationships and careers. It can also cause depression and drug abuse.

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

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder causes people to be in a state of extreme fear or anxiety in situations where they believe others will observe their behavior and judge them negatively. This includes meeting unfamiliar people, eating or drinking 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 in proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment. They can also cause major disruptions to daily life and cause disruption to relationships. People suffering from this condition are less likely to make close friends, find jobs, or maintain close relationships. They are also more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse.


The symptoms of this disorder could include shaking, blushing, or sweating. The patient may be unable to keep eye contact or speak clearly. They may be frightened while talking on the phone or writing, and struggle to maintain a job due to poor performance in meetings or in interviews.

In extreme instances, this disorder could cause other anxiety disorders, major depression disorder and suicidal thinking. In these cases the treatment is generally more intense and should be guided an expert in mental health who is skilled in treating these disorders.

Some psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), may aid in treating social anxiety disorder. CBT is designed to alter negative thoughts or beliefs that cause the disorder. It also teaches the person to face the situations that cause anxiety gradually with the assistance of a therapist and in an environment that is safe. Another form of psychotherapy, known as exposure and response prevention or cognitive delivered exposure, can be used to assist people suffering from extreme social anxiety disorder.

The use of medication is usually alongside psychological treatments to treat symptoms of this disorder. The medications can lessen or eliminate the painful and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. The treatment for this disorder is typically by sever serotonin reuptake inhibitors like sertraline, paroxetine, or Venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants could also be helpful.

Diagnosis

Everyone is nervous in social situations, like meeting new people, going out on a date or giving an appearance. If the fear gets overwhelming and impacts your daily life it is possible to be diagnosed with a 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 illness that requires treatment.

A health professional will usually diagnose a condition through a conversation with the patient and performing a physical examination. The therapist may then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to manage symptoms.

Certain kinds of talk therapy can help with anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This approach assists the patient to identify and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations which trigger anxiety. It can teach people how to cope with stressful situations, such as practicing breathing techniques for relaxation or calming. It could also include an exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing a person the social situations they are afraid of under the guidance of a therapy therapist.

Prescription medications like antidepressants and antianxiety medication can provide relief for many people with social anxiety disorders. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like paroxetine, (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft), have been used to treat social anxiety disorders. However, generalized anxiety disorder could be equally efficient. It can take a number of attempts to determine the best medication.

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

Art therapy, as an example, can be beneficial to some people with social anxiety. This therapy helps people learn to express themselves through painting, drawing or other creative activities. It has been shown that in certain cases, it can lessen the severity symptoms of anxiety.

Treatment

Many people are nervous when they meet new people or give a presentation. However, when the fear and anxiety persist in the long run, it can lead to a mental health disorder called social anxiety disorder or anxiety. It's more than shyness and requires treatment. Treatment options include psychotherapy, medication or both.

Often, the first step is getting an accurate diagnosis from a health professional like a doctor or a counselor. The doctor will conduct a check to determine if any physical issues are causing your symptoms and then refer you to a mental health professional for help, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorder. In CBT, you will be guided by a qualified counselor to confront negative thinking patterns and find more effective ways to handle stressful situations. Additionally, you'll be able to develop relaxation techniques and be taught to confront your fears in small steps. CBT is typically spread across several sessions. You might be asked to complete homework in 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 can take up to several weeks before you begin feeling the effects of these drugs. They can also trigger unwanted side effects like insomnia or headache.

Beta-blockers are available to help manage physical symptoms of anxiety. Beta-blockers can reduce the physical symptoms of. They can cause rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, and shaking of the voice and limbs. These medications are a source of addiction and can cause sedation. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe these medications to treat social anxiety.

Children with social anxiety may be able to overcome the disorder as they grow older However, if the disorder is not addressed, it could lead to mental health and depression issues. Speak to your GP if your child suffers from severe social anxiety disorder.

Prevention

It's normal to be nervous or anxious in certain social situations, like meeting new people or giving the presentation, this anxiety may become a problem when it interferes with daily activities and causes stress. This condition is more than just shyness. It can affect your self-esteem, relationships and the performance at work or at school. It is important to seek treatment if struggling with this disorder. There are numerous ways to get help, ranging from therapy, medication, and support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers are aware that their fears might be unfounded or exaggerated, yet they still struggle to overcome them. They may avoid social interaction and miss out on education, employment and friendships. They also are more likely to be depressed or substance abuse.

Talk therapy and stress management techniques like mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises are frequently employed to treat social anxiety. A therapist can assist you to challenge the negative, unhelpful thoughts that cause your social anxiety. They will then replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also use social skills training, role-playing as well as other cognitive behavior therapies (CBT) to assist you in overcoming the situations that cause you anxiety in a secure environment.

Additionally, medications can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of social anxiety such as heart palpitations and sweating. Patients suffering from this condition must always discuss potential adverse reactions with their physicians before starting a medication.

Some mental health professionals recommend avoid substances that could make your symptoms worse, including caffeine, alcohol and other drugs. They may recommend that you take enough rest and eat healthy foods. They might also advise you to try taking an outdoor walk that can have an uplifting effect and help you to focus on the beauty of the world around you.

There are many ways to treat social anxiety. Whether you're seeking treatment or medication, it is important to start treatment early so that your symptoms don't spiral out of control and keep you from living the life you want to live. If you require assistance, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed, reputable counselor who can help you deal with your emotions and thrive in everyday life.