How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations. When these feelings become overwhelming, it may be a sign of a social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by distress or fear when faced with performance or social situations. The distress or fear is out of proportion to the risk involved in the situation. The fear could be specific or generalized.
Treatment
Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel fear and distress in a way that is not proportional to the actual danger. For example they might be scared of being judged or embarrassed in public. These feelings lead to avoiding social situations, and in some instances, may lead to depression or other health issues. Fortunately, there are numerous treatments for this condition.
Psychotherapy and medications can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive behavior therapy, can help you learn coping skills to manage your anxiety and to change your negative thinking patterns. Your therapist and you will collaborate to build your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause you stress. This type of treatment usually requires 12 to 16 sessions.
Talking therapies are available either in person or online. One common therapy is called exposure therapy, where you gradually expose yourself to situations that make you uncomfortable. By doing this, you can teach your brain that the situations aren't as dangerous as they appear.
It can take months or even weeks for medication to begin working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can reduce your anxiety. They can also help with your depressive symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medication, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) can also help to reduce your symptoms but should only be used for short-term use.
You and your doctor must weigh the risks and benefits of each medication prior to deciding one. Certain antidepressants may affect your ability to sleep, and others can increase the risk of suicide. Consider using an antidepressant with your therapist or a psychologist. Your counselor and you can discuss whether the medication could interfere with other medications or supplements you're taking, like herbal remedies. Your doctor also needs to be aware of how severe your social phobia is and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Everyone is nervous or uncomfortable in social situations sometimes However, these feelings are different from those who suffer from severe social anxiety disorder. For someone who has this disorder, it's not just a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior giving a speech in public or getting nervous about meeting new friends; they have an unending fear that people will judge them or embarrass them in some way. Social http://anantsoch.com/members/elbowpuppy3/activity/888652/ can be so limiting that it can affect every aspect of life, including work, home, and relationships. There are, however, many self-help strategies which can help people suffering from this condition improve their lives.
Self-help may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people to understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety. CBT is done in a group or with a counselor, and is typically combined medication. Social anxiety sufferers should also be involved in activities that they like. Exercise, for instance can ease anxiety and improve mood. Another self-help technique is to surround yourself with positive people. It can be difficult for someone who is anxious about social situations to surround themselves with positive people.
Taking on challenges is also a way to overcome social anxiety, particularly for those with a competitive nature. It could be as easy as competing against yourself, for example, trying to talk to each person at a dinner party more times than you did the last time. Or, it could be as big as accepting an offer at work or going back to school for a degree in the field you are interested in.
Consult your general practitioner if you haven't sought help for anxiety related to social. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who can give you guidance and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medication does not cure social anxiety, but it can help reduce the symptoms.
Medication
Speak to your doctor in case you are suffering from anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily routine, or making you avoid certain situations, or major life changes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and conduct an examination to make sure that you don't have a separate medical problem. If your doctor suspects that you have a social anxiety disorder, he or she will refer you to a mental health professional. There are a variety of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach you new techniques to manage anxiety and assist you to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can either be done on your own or in an organization that supports you. Another type of psychotherapy is called exposure therapy, in which a healthcare professional guides you to face the things that make you feel anxious or uncomfortable instead of trying to avoid them.
Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), can also help with the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. These antidepressants can cause changes in the brain that boost your mood and reduce anxiety. It could take several weeks before the medication starts working. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin), may also be prescribed to individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder. These drugs can decrease anxiety quickly and can become habit-forming. They should only be utilized in short-term scenarios or as needed.
There are numerous other types of medicines that be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants and a class of drugs referred to as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will select the best medication for you, depending on your symptoms and other health conditions. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other medications or supplements you take and discuss any possible side consequences that could arise. It is crucial to continue following the prescribed dosage even if feeling better. If you stop your medication abruptly, it could increase your risk of an rebound.
Support groups
If you're a sufferer of social anxiety support groups can help you overcome your anxieties and help you cope with your condition. They offer an unprejudiced and safe space where you can discuss your concerns with other people who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve the quality of your life. Support groups are available in person or online.
Before joining a support group, you should consider its structure and membership requirements. Some groups are run professionally by mental health professionals and others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. It is also important to consider whether the group will meet regularly or if it will operate on a more flexible basis. You might also want to think about how many members will be present and how much privacy you'll enjoy.
A therapist or doctor asking for suggestions is the best way to find a support group. You must also read reviews about various groups and seek feedback from people who have been part of the group. You can also utilize the resources offered by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have an extensive list of online and community support groups for people suffering from anxiety disorders across the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be a frightening experience for people with social anxiety disorder, and the possibility of being in front of a crowd of people can feel overwhelming. Request a friend or family member to accompany you to the first few meetings if you're worried about going to meetings on your own. There are support groups on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website offers video and audio calling as well as discussion forums and a chat room.
A good support group can help you cope with your social anxiety by teaching you that you're not alone and assisting you to realize that the negative beliefs you think about yourself aren't accurate or true at all. It can also help develop positive attitudes and techniques to effectively deal with your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should only be used with caution and should not be used to replace the treatment recommendations of your healthcare provider. plan.