How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. When these feelings become overwhelming, it may be a sign of a social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by distress or fear when faced with performance or social situations. The fear or distress is not proportional to the actual risk of the situation. The fears can be either specific or generalized.

Treatment

Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel anxious and depressed in a way that is not proportional to the actual danger. For instance, they may be afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations, and in some instances, can lead to depression or other health issues. Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options for this condition.

Psychotherapy and medication can ease symptoms and improve your quality of life. Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive behavioral treatment) can help you develop coping techniques to manage anxiety and alter negative thoughts patterns. You and your therapist will work together to build your confidence, and then gradually confront the situations that cause stress. This type of therapy typically will require between 12 and 16 sessions.

Therapy for talking is available in person or via the internet. Exposure therapy is a typical method of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself social situations that make you uncomfortable. You can teach your brain to accept that the situation might not be as risky as it seems.

There are many types of medications that treat social anxiety disorder However, they can take weeks or months to begin working. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can decrease the severity of your anxiety. They can also ease your depression symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medication, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) are also able to help to reduce your symptoms, but they should only be used for short-term use.

When choosing a medication, you and your doctor will have to consider the advantages and risks of each option. Some antidepressants can interfere with your ability to sleep and some can increase your risk of suicide. If you're thinking of taking an antidepressant, discuss it with your therapist or psychologist. Your counselor and you can discuss the possibility that the medication might interfere with other medications or supplements you're using, such as herbal remedies. Your doctor also needs to be aware of how severe your social phobia is and how it affects your daily life.

Self-help

Social anxiety disorder is a severe type of anxiety that can be extremely uncomfortable. For someone who has this condition, it's not just a matter of having butterflies in the stomach before making a speech in public or feeling anxious about meeting new people; they also have a constant fear that others will judge them or embarrass them in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating it can affect every aspect of life including work and relationships as well as home. There are a variety of self-help methods available to help people with social anxiety disorder improve their quality of life.

Self-help may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists people to understand their anxiety and change the negative thoughts that cause it. CBT can be performed in a private session with a therapist or in a group, and is often combined with medication. People with social anxiety disorder should also try to engage in activities that help them feel happy. Exercise, for instance, can reduce anxiety and improve mood. Spending time with positive people is a different self-help method. It can be difficult for someone who has social anxiety to surround themselves with positive people.

The act of taking on challenges is a way to overcome social anxiety, particularly for those who have a competitive nature. It could be as easy as a competition with yourself. For instance try to speak to everyone at a party more than you did last time. Or, it could be as big as accepting an offer at work or going back to school to earn an education in your field of interest.

Consult your general practitioner even if you haven't sought assistance for social anxiety. They can refer to a mental healthcare professional who can provide advice and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. The use of medication is not an effective treatment for anxiety in social situations however, it can lessen the symptoms and reduce the severity of anxiety.

Medication

If you're experiencing anxiety or fear that interferes with your daily life or makes you avoid certain situations or major life changes, consult your health care provider. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform an examination to confirm that you don't have a medical issue that is separate from your. If your doctor suspects you suffer from social anxiety disorder, he will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are many types of psychotherapy that can treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn new techniques to manage your anxiety and help you change the negative thoughts that lead to anxiety. CBT can either be done on your own or in the form of a group. Exposure therapy is a different type of psychotherapy, where the healthcare professional assists the patient confront issues that create anxiety and discomfort rather than abstaining from or trying to avoid 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 can cause changes in the brain which improve your mood and decrease anxiety. It can take several weeks for the medication to begin working. Some people with social anxiety disorder may benefit from benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These medications can reduce anxiety quickly and become habit-forming. They are, therefore, only used in short-term situations or when needed.

There are also other medications that can be used to combat social anxiety. They include tricyclic antidepressants and a class known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the best medication for you, depending on your symptoms and other health issues. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other supplements or medications you're taking, and discuss any side effects that could occur. Even if you feel better, it is important to take your medication as prescribed. If you stop your medication abruptly, it could increase the chance of having a rebound.

Support groups

If you're a social anxious person, support groups can help you overcome your fears and help you cope with your condition. They provide a safe, non-judgmental environment in which you can discuss your issues with others who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn how to manage your feelings and improve the quality of your life. Support groups can be found in person or online.

Before joining a support group, you should consider its structure and the membership requirements. Certain groups are supervised by mental health professionals, while others are self-help groups without professional guidance. Consider whether the group will be meeting regularly or be more fluid. You may want to think about the number of people who will be there and how much privacy they'll enjoy.

Asking generalized anxiety disorder or therapist for suggestions is the best method to find an appropriate support group. You should also read reviews about different groups and get feedback from people who have been in the group. You can also consult the resources provided by ADAA, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a list for online and community support groups in the United States, Canada and other countries.

Meeting with strangers can be a frightening experience for people suffering from social anxiety disorders, and the possibility of being in front of a group of people can be overwhelming. If you're nervous about attending a gathering by yourself, you might want to ask someone from your family or a friend to join you for the first few meetings. You can find support groups on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website has audio and video calling, discussion forums, and a chat room.

A supportive group can help you deal with your social anxiety by educating you that you're not the only one and assisting you to realize that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't real or true at all. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the skills to deal effectively with your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should be used with caution, and should not replace the advice of your doctor's treatment plan.