What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can cause problems with your daily activities. Although most people are uncomfortable or nervous when in social situations, those suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and fear. It can affect their relationships and careers. And it can result in depression and addiction to drugs.

Treatment may include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medication and role-playing, or social skills training. Treatment options include antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Signs and 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 meeting unfamiliar people, eating or drinking in public, and giving a speech or performance. The person may be able to either avoid the fearful event or experience great distress and anxiety. These feelings are out of proportion to the actual danger or embarrassment. They also cause significant disturbances in everyday life and affect relationships. People with this condition are less likely to have close friends, get jobs, or maintain intimate relationships. They are also more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse.

This condition can cause blushing, sweating or shaking. The person may not be able speak clearly or make eye contact. The person may feel tense while talking on the phone or writing and struggle to maintain an employment position because of poor performance in meetings or interviews.

In severe cases, the symptoms of this disorder could cause a person to develop other anxiety disorders or a major depressive disorder, and even suicidal thoughts. In these situations the treatment is generally more intense and should be directed by an expert in mental health who has expertise in treating these disorders.

Certain psychotherapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be able to help treat social anxiety disorder. CBT seeks to change negative thoughts or beliefs that contribute to the disorder. It also helps a person to face situations that cause high functioning anxiety disorder slowly, with the help of an experienced therapist in a secure environment. Another form of psychotherapy, called exposure and response prevention, or cognitive delivered exposure, can be used to help people with extreme social anxiety disorders.

The use of medication is usually alongside psychological treatments to alleviate symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce or eliminate the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder social Anxiety. This disorder is usually treated with selective serotonin receptor inhibits such as paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants may also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Everyone is nervous in certain social situations, such as meeting new people, going on an evening date, or performing an event. If the fear gets overwhelming and impacts your daily life, you may need to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia, the disorder is not rooted in the individual's personality or environment and differs from shyness. It is a genuine, chronic illness that requires treatment.

A doctor can usually diagnose the condition through a conversation with a patient and conducting an examination. The therapist could then recommend psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy or medication to manage symptoms.

Certain types of talk therapy can help with anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method helps people identify and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that cause anxiety disorders causes. It can help a person learn how to handle stressful situations, including practicing relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It may also incorporate an exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing a person to the social situations they fear under the guidance of a therapist.

Antidepressants, prescription medications, and antianxiety medication can offer relief to many people with social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft) have been used to treat social anxiety disorders. However, other medications may be equally efficient. Sometimes, it takes several attempts to find the best treatment for a particular person.

Research has shown that a combination of therapies is the most efficient. This could include CBT exposure therapy, CBT, or another type of psychological treatment like interpersonal therapy. It is vital that an individual receives treatment for anxiety because it can lead to depression or addictions, such as alcohol and drugs. It can also cause issues at school or work and lead to isolation.

Art therapy, for instance can be beneficial for certain people suffering from social anxiety. This helps people express their feelings through drawing, painting or other creative pursuits. It has been proven to decrease the intensity of anxiety symptoms in some instances.

Treatment

Many people are nervous when they meet new people or give an presentation. When the fear and anxiety persist, it could develop into a mental disorder called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It's more than shyness and requires treatment. Treatment options include psychotherapy, medication or both.

A professional health care provider, such as a doctor or counselor is often able to provide a diagnosis. They may conduct a look into whether there are any physical issues causing symptoms, and then suggest you see an expert in mental health like a psychologist or psychiatrist.

The most popular psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorder is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT the counselor or therapist helps you challenge negative thinking patterns and learn better ways to handle stressful situations. You may also learn relaxation techniques and how to face your fears one step at a time. CBT is usually spread over several sessions. You may be required to complete homework in 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). These medications generally take several weeks before you notice effects, and they can cause adverse effects like headache or insomnia.

Medicines that block the stimulant effect of adrenaline, such as beta-blockers, are also available, and may help control certain physical symptoms of anxiety disorders in adults, like rapid heart rate and blood pressure as well as sweating and shaking of the limbs and voice. These drugs are a source of addiction and can cause sedation. Therefore, doctors don't usually prescribe them to treat social anxiety.

Research suggests that children who suffer from social mild anxiety disorder can overcome it as they grow up However, if the condition is left untreated, it can result in serious depression and other mental health issues. If your child is suffering from severe social anxiety disorder consult your GP about treatments options.

The following is a list of preventatives.

It's normal to feel anxious or anxious when you are in a social situation, such as meeting new people or giving a presentation. However, this feeling could turn into a disorder if it interferes with your everyday activities and causes you distress. This condition is more than shyness. It can affect your self-esteem, relationships and the performance at work or at school. It is essential to seek treatment if you're struggling with this issue. There are many options for assistance including medication, therapy to support groups.

People who suffer from social anxiety typically recognize that their fears are unfounded and exaggerated, but they struggle to overcome them. They may avoid social interaction and do not have the opportunity to gain education, employment, and friendships, and are more likely to be depressed or addiction to drugs.

Treatment for social anxiety usually involves talk therapy and strategies for managing stress, such as breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation. A therapist can help you challenge the negative, unhelpful thinking that fuels your social anxiety. They can then replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also use social skills training, role-playing as well as other cognitive behavior therapies (CBT) to assist you in overcoming the situations that cause anxiety in a secure environment.

Certain of the symptoms that are associated with social anxiety can be addressed by medication, such as excessive sweating and heart palpitations. Patients suffering from this condition should always discuss potential adverse effects with their doctor prior to taking a medication.

Some mental health professionals suggest avoidance of substances such as alcohol, caffeine or other drugs that could cause more symptoms. They might suggest that you get enough rest and eat healthy food. You might be advised to take a stroll outside which will aid in relaxing and focusing on the beauty of nature.

Finding help for social anxiety is quite common, and there are many treatment options available. It is crucial to seek treatment early, whether you're seeking therapy or medication. This will prevent your symptoms from becoming out of control. BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed and accredited counselor to assist you in addressing your feelings.