What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
While most of us get anxious or uncomfortable in certain social situations, those with social anxiety disorder have intense fear and anxiety that interferes with their daily lives. It affects their relationships as well as their careers. It can also cause depression and drug abuse.
Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication and role-playing or social skills training. Antidepressants, including beta blockers and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be prescribed.
Signs and symptoms
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme fear and anxiety when people believe that others will be negative about them based on their conduct. This includes situations such as meeting new people, eating or drinking in public, or giving speeches. The person could avoid the fearful situation or be in distress and anxiety. These feelings are in proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment. They also cause major disruptions to daily life and affect relationships. People suffering from this condition are less likely to have close relationships, get jobs, or maintain their intimate relationships. They are also more susceptible to depression and addiction issues.
This condition may cause sweating, blushing or shaking. The person might be unable to keep eye contact or speak clearly. The person may feel tense while talking on the phone or writing, and struggle to maintain the job due to poor performance at meetings or in interviews.
In extreme cases, the symptoms of this disorder may cause the sufferer to develop additional anxiety disorders or major depression disorder, as well as suicidal thoughts. In these cases the treatment is typically more intensive and should be guided an expert in mental health who is skilled in treating these disorders.
Some psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be able to aid in treating social anxiety. CBT is a method of changing negative beliefs or thoughts that contribute to the disorder. It also teaches a person to deal with situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the help of a therapist in a safe setting. A type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevention or cognitively delivered exposure can be used to treat people who have extreme social anxiety.
Medication is often used alongside psychological treatments to alleviate symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms associated with this disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft), or Venlafaxine (Effexor XR), are typically prescribed for this condition. Beta blockers and other antidepressants are also effective.
Diagnosis
Everybody experiences some level of anxiety in certain social settings. For instance, you meet new people or going out for a date or performing. However, when the anxiety gets overwhelming and affects the daily routine, a diagnosis of a social anxiety disorder might be required. The condition, referred to as social anxiety disorder, is not based on the person's personality or their surroundings. It differs from shyness. It is a long-lasting, real illness that requires treatment.
A doctor will usually be able to identify the problem by talking with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist could then recommend psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, or medication to control symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that can help manage anxiety. This approach assists the patient to recognize and alter negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations that cause anxiety. It can teach people how to manage stressful situations, including breathing techniques to relax or calm. It could also include an exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing a person the social situations that they are afraid of under the guidance of a therapist.
Prescription medications such as antidepressants and antianxiety medication can provide relief for many people with social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a good example, like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) are the first type of medication used to treat this condition, but others may work just as well. It may take a few tries to determine the best medication.
Research has proven that a combination therapy is most effective. This can be CBT, exposure therapy or another type of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is important that a person receive treatment for anxiety as the condition can cause depression and addictions like drugs or alcohol. It can also lead to problems at school or at work and can cause isolation.
Some people with social anxiety might benefit from expressive therapies, like art therapy. The therapy teaches people to express themselves through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been shown that in certain instances, it can reduce anxiety-related symptoms.
Treatment
Many people are nervous in certain social situations, such as meeting new people or giving an presentation. When the fear and anxiety persist, it can develop into a mental disorder called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It is more than shyness and requires treatment. Treatment options include psychotherapy, medication or both.
Often, the first step is getting a diagnosis from a health care professional such as a doctor or counselor. He or she may examine the situation to determine if there are any physical problems that are causing the symptoms, and then suggest you see a mental health specialist, like a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common method of psychotherapy to treat social anxiety disorders. In CBT you will be guided by a skilled psychotherapist to rethink negative thought patterns and find more effective ways to handle stressful situations. In addition, you may practice relaxation techniques and learn to face your fears in small steps. CBT usually takes place in multiple sessions, and you could be asked to complete your homework between sessions.
Social 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 typically last for several weeks before you start to notice any effects, and can cause negative side effects, such as headache or insomnia.
best meds for anxiety disorders that block the stimulant effects of adrenaline, including beta-blockers are also available and may aid in reducing certain physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate as well as sweating and shaking of vocal cords and limbs. These drugs can be addictive and sedative. Therefore doctors rarely prescribe them to treat social anxiety.
Research shows that children who have social anxiety might be able to overcome it as they grow up, but if the disorder is not treated, it can lead to severe depression and other mental health problems. Talk to your GP when your child is suffering from severe social anxiety disorder.
Prevention
Although it's normal to feel nervous or anxious in certain social situations such as meeting new people or giving a presentation, this feeling can turn into a disorder when it interferes with everyday activities and causes stress. It's more than shyness, and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships and even your school or work performance. If you have issues with this issue it is crucial to seek assistance. There are many ways to seek help, ranging from therapy, medication, as well as support groups.
Social anxiety sufferers are aware their fears could be unfounded or exaggerated, however they are still struggling to overcome their fears. They may avoid social interactions and miss out on opportunities for education, employment, or friendships, and they are at greater risk of depression or addiction to drugs.
Talk therapy and stress management techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are commonly used to treat social anxiety. A therapist can assist you to combat the negative and unhelpful thoughts that cause your social anxiety. They will then replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training and role-playing in order to help you deal with situations that cause anxiety in a secure setting.
Some of the symptoms that are associated with social anxiety can be treated by medication, such as heart palpitations and excessive sweating. Before taking any medication, those with social anxiety should discuss possible adverse effects with their doctor.
Some mental health professionals suggest avoiding substances that can cause your symptoms to worsen such as alcohol, caffeine, and drugs. They may suggest that you sleep enough and eat a healthy, balanced diet. You might be advised to go for a walk to aid in relaxing and focusing on the beauty of nature.
There are a variety of ways to treat social anxiety. It is crucial to seek treatment early, whether you are seeking treatment or medication. This will stop your symptoms from spiraling out of control. BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed and accredited counselor to assist you in addressing your feelings.