What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can interfere with everyday life. While many people feel uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, people with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It can affect their relationships and their careers. And it can cause depression and even addiction to drugs.

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

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder social anxiety is characterized by a high level of anxiety and fear when people think that people will criticize them for their conduct. This includes when they meet people who are unfamiliar, eating or drinking in public, and giving a speech or performance. The person may either avoid the feared event or endure it with extreme anxiety and stress. These feelings are not in proportion to the danger or embarrassment. They can also cause significant interruptions to your daily routine and can cause a disruption to relationships. People with this condition are less likely to have close friends, get jobs, or maintain intimate relationships. They are also more prone to depression and addiction issues.

The condition may cause sweating, blushing, or shaking. The person might not be able speak clearly or make eye contact. They may tremble when speaking on the phone or when writing, and might have difficulty maintaining an employment position due to poor performance in meetings or interviews.

In extreme cases, the symptoms of this disorder may cause the sufferer to develop additional anxiety disorders or major depression disorder, and even suicidal thoughts. In these situations, the treatment is usually more intense and should be supervised by with a mental health professional who has expertise in treating these disorders.

Certain psychotherapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can aid in treating social anxiety. CBT is designed to alter negative beliefs or thoughts that contribute to the disorder. It also helps a person to confront situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the assistance of a therapist in a safe setting. Another form of psychotherapy, known as exposure and response prevention, or cognitive delivered exposure, is used to help people with extreme social anxiety disorders.

Medication is often used in conjunction with psychological therapies to treat symptoms of this disorder. These medications can reduce or eliminate the discomforting and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. The treatment for this disorder is typically by sever serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants can also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Most people experience some degree of anxiety in certain social settings. For example, when making new acquaintances or going out on dates or performing. But when the fear is so overwhelming that it interferes with everyday life and activities, a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder may be needed. The condition, referred to as social anxiety disorder, is not based on the personality of the individual or their surroundings. It is different from shyness. It is a real chronic illness that requires treatment.

A health care provider will usually diagnose a condition by speaking with the patient and conducting an examination. The therapist may then recommend psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, or medication to control symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help manage anxiety. This method helps people recognize and alter negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that cause anxiety. It can teach people how to handle stressful situations, including breathing techniques to relax or calm. It can also include exposure therapy, which is gradually working up to the social situations that a person fears with the guidance of an experienced therapist in a secure environment.

Many people suffering from social anxiety disorder find relief by taking prescription medications, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine, (Paxil) and sertraline, (Zoloft) are used to treat social anxiety disorders. However, other medications may be equally effective. Sometimes, it takes a number of attempts to find the best social anxiety disorder medication medication for an individual.

Research has demonstrated that a combination therapy is most efficient. This could include CBT and exposure therapy, or other kinds of psychological treatment like interpersonal therapy. It is crucial that people seek treatment for anxiety, as the condition can lead to depression and addictions, such as alcohol or drugs. It can also cause problems at school or work and lead to isolation.

Art therapy, as an example, can be beneficial to those suffering from social anxiety. This therapy helps people learn to express themselves through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been demonstrated that in certain cases, it can help reduce generalized anxiety disorder treatment-related symptoms.

Treatment

People are often anxious in certain social situations, such as meeting new people or giving a presentation. However, if anxiety and fear continue to linger, it becomes a mental health condition called social anxiety disorder or social phobia. It's more than shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Psychotherapy, medication, or both are possible treatment options.

A professional health care provider such as counselors or doctors is often able to provide a diagnosis. He or she may examine the situation to determine if there are any physical issues that are causing the symptoms, and then recommend you to an expert in mental health like a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The most popular psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorder is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT you will be guided by a skilled therapist to challenge negative thoughts and discover new ways to cope with stressful situations. You can also learn relaxation techniques and ways to confront your fears by taking one step at a. CBT typically takes place over several sessions, and you could be required to complete assignments 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 typically last for several weeks before you notice any effects, and may cause negative side effects, such as headache or insomnia.

The use of medications that block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, like beta-blockers are also available and may assist in controlling some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid blood pressure and heart rate as well as shaking and sweating the limbs and voice. However, since these medications are sedating and habit-forming, physicians don't typically prescribe them for the general treatment of social anxiety.

Children suffering from social anxiety might outgrow the disorder as they grow older, but if it is not addressed, it could result in to serious depression and mental health issues. If your child has severe social anxiety disorders talk to your GP regarding treatment options.

Prevention

While it's normal to feel nervous or anxious in certain social situations, such as meeting new people or giving an oral presentation, this feeling may become a problem when it interferes with everyday activities and causes anxiety. It's more than shyness, and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships and even your school or work performance. It is crucial to seek treatment if you are struggling with this condition. 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, but they are still struggling to overcome them. They may avoid social interaction and miss out on friendships, education, and employment. They are also more likely to be depressed or substance abuse.

Treatment for social anxiety often involves talk therapy and methods for managing stress, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation. A therapist can assist you to challenge the negative, unhelpful thoughts that trigger your social anxiety. They will then replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training and role-playing in order to help you deal with situations that make you feel anxious in a secure setting.

The use of medications can also help to ease some symptoms of social anxiety such as heart palpitations and sweating. Before taking any medication, those who suffer from social anxiety must discuss the possible side effects with their doctor.

Some mental health professionals recommend avoiding substances that can cause your symptoms to worsen, including alcohol, caffeine, and drugs. They may recommend that you get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet. They might also suggest to try taking walks in the nature which can provide an uplifting effect and help you to focus on the beauty around you.

Finding help for social anxiety is a common thing, and there are many treatment options available. If you're looking for treatment or medication for social anxiety disorder, it is important to start 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 with a licensed and accredited counselor to help you manage your feelings.