How Disorder Social Anxiety Has Changed My Life The Better

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can interfere with your daily activities. While many people feel uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, those with social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and fear. It affects their relationships and careers. And it can lead to depression and addiction to drugs.

Treatment can include cognitive behavior therapy, medication, role-playing and social skills training. Medications may include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder is defined by extreme fear and anxiety when people think that others will judge them negatively based on their conduct. This includes when they meet people who are unfamiliar drinking or eating in public, or giving a a speech or performance. The person could avoid the situation they fear or endure it with intense distress and anxiety. These emotions are out of proportion to the actual danger or embarrassment involved. They also cause significant disturbances in everyday life and affect relationships.  panic attacks  suffering from this condition are less likely to make close friends, find jobs, or maintain their intimate relationships. They are also more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse.

This condition can cause blushing, sweating or shaking. The person might be unable to maintain eye contact or communicate clearly. They may tremble when on the phone or writing, and could be unable to maintain a job because of the inability to perform well in meetings or interviews.

In extreme instances, this disorder could cause other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and suicidal thoughts. In these instances the treatment is typically more intensive and should be supervised by a mental health professional with experience in treating these disorders.

Some psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be able to aid in treating social anxiety. CBT seeks to change negative beliefs or thoughts that can cause the disorder. It also teaches the person to confront the situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the assistance of a therapist and a safe environment. Another type of psychotherapy called exposure and response prevention or cognitive delivered exposure, is used to help people with extreme social anxiety disorder.

Psychological treatments are often paired with medications to treat the symptoms of this disorder. These medications can alleviate the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms associated with this disorder. This disorder is usually treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibits like sertraline, paroxetine or venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants could also be helpful.

Diagnosis

Most people experience some degree of anxiety in certain social situations. For instance, when you meet new people or going out on an evening date or performing. When the fear is so overwhelming that it affects your daily routine, 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. It is different from shyness. It is a real chronic disease that requires treatment.

A health professional will typically determine if a condition is present by talking to the patient and conducting an examination. The therapist may then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to control symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps manage anxiety. This method assists a person to recognize and alter negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause anxiety. It can help a person learn techniques to deal with stressful situations, including practicing relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It could also include an exposure therapy which involves gradually exposing the person to the social situations they fear under the guidance of a therapy therapist.

Many people with social anxiety disorder find relief by taking prescription medications, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like paroxetine, (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) have been used to treat social anxiety disorders. However, other medications can be equally efficient. Sometimes, it takes several attempts to find the best medication for a person.

Research has shown that a combination of therapies is most efficient. This could 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 cause isolation.

People who suffer from social anxiety might benefit from expressive therapies, like art therapy. This helps people express their feelings through painting, drawing or other creative pursuits. It has been shown to reduce the severity of anxiety-related symptoms in some instances.

Treatment

People are often anxious in certain social situations, such as meeting new people or giving a a presentation. If the anxiety and fear persist, it could develop into a mental disorder, known as social anxiety disorder or phobia. It is more than shyness and requires treatment. Therapy or medication, or both are treatment options that could be considered.

A health professional like counselor or doctor is often able to provide an assessment. He or she will check to see if any physical issues are behind your symptoms and then recommend you to a mental health professional, such as psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT, a trained therapist or counselor helps you challenge negative thinking patterns and develop better strategies to cope with stressful situations. Additionally, you can try relaxation techniques and learn to face your fears in small steps. CBT is usually spread over several sessions. You may be asked to complete homework in between sessions.

Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders, and are effective for some people with 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 start feeling the effects of these drugs. They can also trigger adverse effects such as headache or insomnia.

Beta-blockers can help manage physical symptoms of anxiety. They can help reduce physical symptoms of. These include a rapid heart rate and blood pressure rise sweating, shaking of the voice and limbs. These medications are a source of addiction and can cause sedation. Therefore doctors do not usually prescribe them to treat social anxiety.

Children with social anxiety may overcome the disorder as they grow older, but if it is not addressed, it could lead serious depression and mental health issues. Consult your GP if your child is suffering from severe social anxiety disorders.

Prevention

It's normal to feel anxious or anxious when you are in a social situation like meeting new people or making a presentation. However, this feeling can turn into a disorder if it interferes with your everyday activities and causes anxiety. This is more than shyness. It can affect your self esteem and relationships as well as the performance at work or at school. It is essential to seek treatment if struggling with this disorder. Fortunately, there are many options for assistance from medication to therapy to support groups.

People who suffer from social anxiety typically acknowledge that their fears are unfounded and exaggerated, but they struggle to overcome these fears. They might avoid social interactions and miss out on education, employment and friendships. They also are at greater risk for depression or abuse of substances.

Stress management and talk therapy techniques like breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are often used to treat social anxiety. A therapist can help combat the negative and unhelpful thinking that fuels your social anxiety. They then help you replace these thoughts with more positive ones. They can also utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and social skills training and role-playing to assist you in tackling the situations that make you anxious in a safe setting.

Additionally, medications can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of social anxiety, such as heart palpitations or sweating. Before taking any medication, people with social anxiety should discuss the possible adverse effects with their physician.

Some mental health professionals suggest abstaining from substances that can make your symptoms worse, including alcohol, caffeine and other drugs. They might suggest that you sleep well and eat a healthy diet. It is possible to take a walk outside to help you relax and concentrate on the beauty of nature.

There are a variety of ways to manage social anxiety. It is important to seek treatment early, whether you're seeking treatment or medication. This will prevent your symptoms from spiraling out of control. BetterHelp can connect you with an accredited and licensed counselor to help you deal with your feelings.