What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can hinder with everyday life. While most people feel uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, people with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It can affect their relationships and careers. It can also cause depression and drug abuse.

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

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder causes of anxiety disorder people to experience extreme anxiety or distress when they are in situations where they think that others will notice their actions and judge their behavior negatively. This includes when they meet people who are unfamiliar, eating or drinking in public, or giving a a speech or performance. The person could avoid the feared situation or be in anxiety and stress. These feelings are out of proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment. They can also lead to major interruptions to your daily routine and disrupt relationships. People suffering from this condition are less likely to make close friends, find jobs, or maintain their intimate relationships. They also have a higher risk of developing depression and abuse.

This condition can cause blushing, sweating or shaking. The person might be unable to make eye contact or communicate clearly. They may be frightened when talking on the phone or writing and have trouble maintaining an employment position because of poor performance in interviews or meetings.

In severe cases, this disorder can result in other separation anxiety disorder symptoms disorders, major depression disorder and suicidal thinking. In these instances the treatment will be more intensive and should be guided by an experienced mental health professional who has experience in treating these disorders.

Some types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful to treat social anxiety disorder. CBT is a method of changing negative beliefs or thoughts that contribute to the disorder. It also teaches people to face situations that cause anxiety slowly, with the help of the therapist in a safe environment. A form of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevent or cognitive delivered exposure can be used to treat people who suffer from extreme social anxiety.

The use of medication is usually alongside psychological treatments to ease symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce or eliminate the painful and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil) sertraline (Zoloft), or Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are commonly prescribed for this disorder. Beta blockers and other antidepressants can also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Most people experience some degree of anxiety in certain social settings. For instance, making new acquaintances or going out for dates, or performing. However, if the fear becomes overwhelming and interferes with the daily routine and activities, a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder could be required. Also known as social phobia the condition is not rooted in a person's personality or the environment. It is different from shyness. It is a persistent, real illness that requires treatment.

A health professional will typically determine if a condition is present through a conversation with the patient and conducting a physical examination. The therapist may then recommend psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or medication to manage symptoms.

Some kinds of talk therapy can help manage anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method assists a person to recognize and alter negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that cause the anxiety disorder behaviors. It can help people learn to cope with stressful situations, like practicing breathing techniques to relax or calm. It may also incorporate an exposure therapy that involves gradually exposing the person to the social situations they fear under the guidance of their therapy therapist.

Many people suffering from social anxiety disorder get relief from prescription medication, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) have been used to treat anxiety disorders involving social interaction. However, other drugs could be equally effective. Sometimes, it takes several tries to find the right medication for an individual.

Research shows that a combination of therapies is the most effective. This can include CBT and exposure therapy or other types of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is essential that individuals receive treatment for anxiety since it can cause depression or addictions like alcohol and other drugs. It can also cause problems at work or school and lead to isolation.

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

Treatment

Many people are nervous when they meet new people or give a presentation. However, when the fear and anxiety persist in the long run, it can lead to a mental health condition called social anxiety disorder or social fear. It's more than just shyness, and it requires treatment to overcome. Treatment options include best medication for social anxiety disorder, psychotherapy or both.

A medical professional, such as a doctor or counselor, can often provide a diagnosis. The doctor will conduct a check to see if any physical problems are causing your symptoms. Then, they will refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT the counselor or therapist helps you confront negative thinking patterns and learn better ways to manage stressful situations. You can also learn relaxation techniques and how to confront your fears by taking one step at a. CBT usually runs over multiple sessions, and you could be required to complete homework between sessions.

Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders, and they can be beneficial for certain people suffering from social anxiety disorder. 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 adverse effects such as headache or insomnia.

Medications that block the stimulating effects of adrenaline, including beta-blockers, are also available and may help control certain physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate, sweating and shaking voice and limbs. These medications can be addictive and sedative. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe them to treat social anxiety disorders phobia.

Children who suffer from social anxiety may be able to overcome the disorder as they grow older, but if it is not addressed, it could cause to mental health and depression issues. If your child suffers from severe social anxiety talk to your GP regarding the treatment options available.

Prevention

It's normal to feel nervous or anxious when you are in a social context, such as meeting new people or presenting presentations. However, this anxiety can become a problem when it causes disruption to your daily activities and causes you distress. It's more than shyness and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships and work or school performance. If you struggle with this condition, it is important to seek assistance. There are numerous ways to get help, that include therapy, medication, and support groups.

People with social anxiety usually realize that their fears are unfounded and exaggerated, but they struggle to overcome them. They might avoid social interactions and miss out on friendships, education, and employment. They also are more susceptible to depression or abuse of substances.

Treatment for social anxiety often includes talk therapy and strategies for managing stress, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation. A therapist can show you how to challenge negative, harmful thoughts that cause your anxiety about social situations and replace them with more balanced views. They can also use the role-playing technique, social skills training and other cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to assist you in overcoming the situations that cause you anxiety in a safe environment.

The use of medications can also help to reduce some symptoms of social anxiety like heart palpitations and sweating. Before taking any medication, people who suffer from social anxiety must discuss the potential adverse effects with their physician.

Some mental health professionals recommend abstaining from substances that can cause your symptoms to worsen like caffeine, alcohol and other drugs. They may recommend that you sleep enough and eat a healthy diet. You may be advised to take a stroll outside to help you relax and concentrate on the beauty of nature.

Finding help for social anxiety is a common thing and there are a variety of treatment options available. It is essential to seek treatment early, whether you are seeking therapy or medication. This will stop your symptoms from spiraling out of control. BetterHelp can connect you with an accredited and licensed therapist to help you manage your emotions.