What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

While we all get anxious or uncomfortable in certain social situations, those with social anxiety disorders experience intense fear and anxiety that affects their daily life. It can impact their relationships and careers. It can also cause depression and even substance abuse.

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

Signs and symptoms

Social anxiety disorder is defined by a high level of anxiety and fear when people believe that people will criticize them for their conduct. This can be the case when meeting new people, eating and drinking in public or giving an address. The person might avoid the feared situation or suffer from intense anxiety disorder quitting smoking and stress. These feelings aren't in proportion to the danger or embarrassment. They also cause significant disturbances in everyday life and can affect relationships. People suffering from this disorder have a lower chance of having close friends, finding a job, or maintaining relationships. They also have a higher risk of developing depression and substance abuse.

The condition can cause blushing, sweating, or shaking. The person might be unable to keep eye contact or speak clearly. He or she may tremble while talking on the phone or in writing. They may also find it difficult to keep a job because of poor performance in interviews or meetings.

In severe cases, the symptoms of this disorder could cause a person to develop other anxiety disorders or major depression disorder, and even suicidal thoughts. In these instances the treatment will be more intense and should be supervised by an experienced mental health professional who has expertise in treating these disorders.

Some types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to in treating anxiety disorders social anxiety disorder behaviors. CBT aims to change negative thoughts or beliefs that contribute to the disorder. It also helps a person to face situations that cause anxiety slowly, with the help of a therapist in a safe environment. Another type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevention or cognitive delivered exposure, can be used to assist people suffering from 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. This disorder is usually treated by sever serotonin reuptake inhibitors like sertraline, paroxetine or venlafaxine. Other antidepressants and beta blockers may also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Most people feel anxious in certain social situations, like meeting new people, going on an evening date, or performing an event. When the fear gets overwhelming and impacts your daily life, you may need to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia the condition is not based on the person's personality or environment and differs from shyness. It is a real, chronic disease that requires treatment.

A medical professional is able to diagnose the condition by talking with patients and conducting a physical exam. The therapist will then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to manage symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help manage anxiety. This method assists a person to recognize and alter negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that cause anxiety. It can help a person learn techniques to deal with stressful situations, for example, by using relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It can also include exposure therapy, which involves gradually building up to social situations that a person is afraid of with the help of a therapist in a safe environment.

Prescription medications such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications can offer relief to many sufferers of social anxiety disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are the first type of medication used to treat this condition but other drugs may perform just as well. It may take a few tries to determine the best medication.

Research shows that a combination of therapies is most effective. This could include CBT exposure therapy, CBT, or a different type of psychological treatment like interpersonal therapy. It is essential that an individual receives treatment for anxiety because it could lead to depression or addictions such as alcohol and other drugs. It can also cause problems at school or work and lead to isolation.

Art therapy, for instance can be beneficial to certain people suffering from social anxiety. This therapy helps people learn to express themselves through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been shown that in certain cases, it can reduce the severity symptoms of anxiety.

Treatment

Most people feel nervous in certain social situations, such as making new acquaintances or giving the presentation. But when the fear and anxiety persist in the long run, it can lead to a mental health condition known as social anxiety disorder or social anxiety. It's more than just shyness, and it requires treatment to overcome. Treatment options include psychotherapy, medication or both.

Often, the first step is to get a diagnosis from a health professional such as a doctor or a counselor. He or she will check to determine if physical problems are causing your symptoms and then refer you to an expert in mental health, such as psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used method of psychotherapy to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT, you will be guided by a trained counselor to confront negative thinking patterns and find better ways to deal with stressful situations. You may also learn relaxation techniques and how to face your fears by taking small steps at a time. CBT usually takes place over several sessions. You may be asked to complete homework in between sessions.

Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders and they can be beneficial for certain people suffering from social anxiety disorders. 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 several weeks before you feel the effects of these medications. They may also cause unwanted side effects like insomnia or headache.

Medications that block the stimulating effects of adrenaline, such as beta-blockers are also available and may aid in reducing certain physical symptoms of anxiety disorders resources, like rapid heart rate and blood pressure as well as shaking and sweating vocal cords and limbs. But because these drugs can cause dependence and induce sedation, physicians don't typically prescribe them for general treatment of social anxiety.

Children who suffer from social anxiety may be able to overcome the condition as they get older However, if the disorder is not treated, it can lead serious depression and mental health issues. If your child has severe social anxiety disorder, speak with your GP about treatment options.

The following is a list of preventatives.

While it's normal to feel anxious or nervous in certain social situations, like meeting new people or giving a presentation, this feeling can turn into a disorder when it affects daily activities and causes distress. It is more than shyness, and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships and school or work performance. If you are struggling with this issue it is essential to seek out help. There are numerous ways to seek help that include treatment, medication, and support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers are aware that their fears may be irrational or exaggerated, however they still struggle to overcome them. They might avoid social interactions and do not have the opportunity to gain education, work, and friendships, and are more susceptible to depression or abuse of substances.

Treatment for social anxiety typically involves talk therapy and methods for managing stress such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation. A therapist can assist you to combat the negative and 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) and social skills training and role-playing to help you face the situations that cause anxiety in a safe setting.

A few of the symptoms that are associated with social anxiety can be addressed by medication, including heart palpitations and excessive sweating. Before taking any medication, individuals with social anxiety should discuss the potential adverse effects with their doctor.

Some mental health professionals suggest avoidance of substances such as caffeine, alcohol, or drugs that can cause more symptoms. They may recommend that you sleep enough and eat a healthy, balanced diet. You might be advised to go for a walk to help you relax and focus on the beauty of nature.

Getting help for social anxiety disorder can be cured is quite common and there are a variety of treatment options available. It is crucial to seek treatment promptly, whether seeking therapy or medication. This will stop your symptoms from spiraling out of control. BetterHelp can connect you to an accredited and licensed therapist who can help you manage your feelings.