What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Although most of us are anxious or uncomfortable in certain social situations, those who suffer from social anxiety disorders have an intense fear and anxiety that interferes with their daily lives. It affects their relationships and their careers. It can also lead to depression and addiction to drugs.

Treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication and role-playing or social skills training. Medications may include antidepressants like selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Signs and symptoms

Social anxiety disorder is defined by extreme fear and anxiety when people are afraid that people will criticize them for their behavior. This includes when they meet people who are unfamiliar drinking or eating in public, and giving a speech or performance. The person might avoid the feared situation or be in anxiety and distress. The anxiety and stress are not in proportion to the danger or embarrassment. They also cause significant disturbances in everyday life and can affect relationships. People with this condition are less likely to have close friends, find jobs, or maintain intimate relationships. They are also more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse.

This disorder can cause sweating, blushing, or shaking. The person may not be able to make eye contact or communicate clearly. The person may feel tense when talking on the phone or writing, and find it difficult to keep an employment position due to poor performance in meetings or interviews.

In extreme cases, this disorder may lead to other anxiety disorders, major depression disorder, and suicidal thoughts. In these instances the treatment will be more intense and should be guided by a mental health professional with experience in managing these disorders.

Certain kinds of psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help in treating social anxiety. CBT aims at changing negative thoughts or beliefs that cause the disorder. It also teaches people to deal with situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the help of the therapist in a safe setting. A type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevent or cognitively delivered exposure can be utilized to treat those who suffer from extreme social anxiety.

It is common to use medication alongside psychological treatments to alleviate symptoms of this disorder. These medications can reduce the embarrassing and uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with this disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are commonly prescribed for this disorder. Beta blockers and other antidepressants could also be helpful.

Diagnosis

Most people feel nervous in social situations, such as meeting new people, going out on dates or performing an event. If the anxiety is so overwhelming that it impacts your daily life, you may need to be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. The condition, referred to as social anxiety disorder, is not based solely on the personality of the person or their environment. It differs from shyness. It is a long-lasting real disease that requires treatment.

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

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of talk therapy that can help manage anxiety. This method helps people recognize and change negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause the anxiety. It can help people learn to cope with stressful situations, including breathing techniques to relax or calm. It can also include an exposure therapy that involves gradually exposing a person the social situations they fear under the guidance of their therapist.

Many people suffering from social anxiety disorder get relief from prescription medications, including antianxiety drugs and antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine, (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft), have been used to treat social anxiety disorder. However, other medications could be equally effective. It can take several attempts to find the appropriate medication.

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

Art therapy, as an example can be beneficial to certain people suffering from social anxiety. This teaches people to express their feelings through painting, drawing or other creative activities and has been proven to decrease the severity of anxiety-related symptoms in some instances.

Treatment

Many people feel anxious when they meet new people or give presentations. However, when anxiety and fear continue to linger, it becomes a mental health disorder called social anxiety disorder or anxiety. It’s more than just shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Psychotherapy or medication, or both are options for treatment.

The first step is to get an assessment from a health professional, such as a physician or a counselor. The doctor or counselor will look into whether there are any physical ailments that are causing the symptoms, and then refer you for an expert in mental health like a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT, a trained therapist or counselor helps you overcome negative patterns of thinking and learn better ways to manage stressful situations. Additionally, you’ll be able to try relaxation techniques and learn to face your fears in small steps. CBT usually runs over several sessions, and you might be asked to complete your homework between sessions.

panic 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). These medications generally take several weeks before you feel the effects, and they can trigger adverse effects like headache or insomnia.

Beta-blockers are available to help alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety. Beta-blockers can reduce the physical symptoms of. These include a rapid heart rate and blood pressure rise sweating, shaking of the hands and voice. These drugs can be addictive and sedative. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe these medications to treat social anxiety.

Research shows that children with social anxiety can overcome it as they grow older, but if the disorder is not treated it could result in severe depression and other mental health problems. If your child has severe social anxiety, speak with your GP about treatments options.

Prevention

It’s normal to be nervous or anxious in a social situation, such as meeting new people or presenting presentations. However, this feeling can turn into a disorder when it causes disruption to your daily activities and causes stress. This is more than shyness. It can affect your self-esteem, relationships and the performance at work or at school. If you struggle with this issue it is essential to seek help. There are many options to help from medication to therapy to support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers are aware their fears could be unfounded or exaggerated, however they struggle to overcome their fears. They might avoid social interactions and are unable to participate in opportunities for education, employment and friendships. They are also more susceptible to depression or addiction to drugs.

Stress management and talk therapy techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are frequently used to combat social anxiety. A therapist can help you learn how to confront negative, unhelpful thoughts that contribute to your social anxiety and replace them with more balanced views. They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training and role-playing in order to help you face the situations that cause anxiety in a secure setting.

Certain of the symptoms that are associated with social anxiety can be cured by medication, including excessive sweating and heart palpitations. Before taking any medication, those who suffer from social anxiety should discuss the possible side effects with their doctor.

Some mental health professionals suggest avoid substances that could cause your symptoms to worsen, including alcohol, caffeine, and drugs. They may recommend that you get enough rest and eat a balanced diet. They may also advise you to try taking an outdoor walk that can have a calming effect and help you concentrate on the beauty of the world around you.

There are many ways to manage social anxiety. It is important to seek treatment early, whether you’re seeking therapy or taking medication. This will prevent your symptoms from getting out of control. BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed and accredited therapist who can assist you in addressing your emotions.