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 lives. It affects their relationships and careers. It can also lead to depression and substance abuse.
Treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication and role-playing or social skill training. Antidepressants, such as beta blockers and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be prescribed.
Symptoms
Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel intense fear or distress in situations where they believe that others will notice their actions and judge their behavior negatively. This can be the case when meeting new people, eating or drinking in public, or giving speeches. The person could either avoid the feared event or experience extreme anxiety and stress. The anxiety and stress are not in proportion to the risk or embarrassment. They can also cause major disruptions to daily life and cause disruption to relationships. People who suffer from this condition are less likely of having close friends, finding a job, or maintaining relationships. They are also at higher risk of developing depression and abuse.
This condition can cause sweating, blushing or shaking. generalized anxiety disorder may not be able speak clearly or maintain eye contact. The person may feel tense when talking on the phone or writing and have trouble maintaining a job because of poor performance in meetings or in interviews.
In severe instances, this disorder could lead to other anxiety disorders, major depression disorder and suicidal thinking. In these cases, treatment is usually more intensive and should be supervised by an experienced mental health professional who has experience in treating these disorders.
Certain types of psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help in treating social anxiety. CBT is designed to change negative thoughts or beliefs that contribute to the disorder. It also helps the patient to face the situations that cause anxiety gradually with the help of a therapist and a safe environment. A form of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevent or cognitive delivered exposure may be used to treat individuals who have extreme social anxiety.
The use of medication is usually in conjunction with psychological therapies to ease symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce the embarrassing and uncomfortable symptoms associated with this disorder. This disorder is usually treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibits such as paroxetine, sertraline, or Venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants are also effective.
Diagnosis
Everyone is nervous in certain social situations, such as meeting new people, going out on a date or giving an appearance. When the fear gets overwhelming and interferes with your daily life it is possible to be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia the disorder is not rooted in the person's personality or environment, and is distinct from shyness. It is a genuine, chronic disease that requires treatment.
A health professional will usually diagnose a condition through a conversation with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist may then recommend psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, or medication to control symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that can help to manage anxiety. This method helps people recognize and alter negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause anxiety. It can teach someone how to handle stressful situations, including using relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It can also include exposure therapy, which is gradually building up to social situations that one is scared of, with the guidance of the therapist in a safe environment.
Many people with social anxiety disorder can find relief from prescription medication, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are the most common kind of medication used to treat this condition however, other medications may work similarly. Sometimes, it takes several tries to find the right medication for a person.
Research has shown that a combination therapy is the most efficient. This could include CBT and exposure therapy or other forms of psychological treatment, like interpersonal therapy. It is crucial that individuals receive treatment for anxiety since it can cause depression or addictions like alcohol and other drugs. It can also cause issues at school or work and can lead to isolation.
Art therapy, as an example can be beneficial for certain people suffering from social anxiety. It teaches people to express their emotions through painting, drawing or other creative activities and has been proven to reduce the intensity of anxiety symptoms in some cases.
Treatment
Many people are nervous when they meet new people or give presentations. If the anxiety and fear persist, it could develop into a mental disorder known as social anxiety disorder or phobia. It's more than just shyness, and it requires treatment to overcome. Therapy or medication, or both are treatment options that could be considered.
A health professional such as counselor or doctor is often able to provide an assessment. He or she will check to see if any physical issues are causing your symptoms and then refer you to an expert in mental health care, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The most common psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorders is cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT). In CBT the counselor or therapist helps you challenge negative thinking patterns and discover better 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 usually takes place over many sessions. You might be asked to do homework 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). It can take up to several weeks for you to start feeling the effects of these drugs. They can also trigger adverse effects such as headaches or insomnia.
The use of medications that block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, including beta-blockers are also available and may help control some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate as well as shaking and sweating voice and limbs. These medications can be addictive and sedative. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe them to treat social anxiety.
Children with social anxiety may outgrow the disorder as they get older However, if the disorder is not treated, it can cause serious depression and mental health issues. Talk to your GP in the event that your child suffers from severe social anxiety disorders.
Prevention
It's normal to be nervous or anxious in a social setting for example, when you meet new people or giving a presentation. However, this feeling could turn into a disorder when it causes disruption to your daily activities and causes anxiety. This is more than just shyness. It can affect your self esteem as well as relationships, and even your work or school performance. It is important to seek treatment if struggling with this disorder. There are many options for assistance, from therapy to medication to support groups.
Social anxiety sufferers typically realize that their fears are not rational and exaggerated, yet they are unable to overcome them. They may avoid social interactions and do not have the opportunity to gain education, employment, or friendships. They are also more likely to be depressed or addiction to drugs.
Talk therapy and stress management techniques like breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are commonly employed to combat social anxiety. A therapist can teach you how to confront negative, destructive thoughts that cause your social anxiety and replace them with more balanced thoughts. They can also employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training, and role-playing to help you deal with situations that cause anxiety in a secure setting.
Medications can also be used to ease some symptoms of social anxiety like heart palpitations and sweating. People with this condition should discuss potential side effects with their doctors prior to taking a medication.
Some mental health professionals suggest abstaining from substances such as alcohol, caffeine, or drugs that can increase the severity of your symptoms. They may suggest that you take enough rest and eat healthy food. They might also advise you to try taking a walk in nature which can provide an uplifting effect and help you concentrate on the beauty around you.
There are many ways to treat social anxiety. It is important to seek treatment early, whether you're seeking therapy or medication. This will prevent your symptoms from spiraling out of control. If you need assistance, BetterHelp can match you with a certified, licensed counselor who can help you deal with your emotions and flourish in your daily life.