How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. If these feelings become overwhelming, it could be a sign of a social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorders typically include fear or distress in most social and performance situations. The fear or distress in a situation is out of proportion to the actual risk. The fear could be generalized or specific.
Treatment
Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel anxiety and fear in a way that is not proportional to the actual risk. For example, they may be afraid of being humiliated or embarrassed in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations and, in some instances, may lead to depression or other health issues. Luckily, there are many treatment options for this disorder.
Medications and psychotherapy can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive behavior therapy, can help you develop ways to manage anxiety and to change your negative thoughts patterns. Your therapist and you work together to increase your confidence, and then gradually confront the situations that cause you stress. In general 12 to 16 therapy sessions are necessary to receive this kind of treatment.
Talking therapies are available either in person or via the internet. Exposure therapy is a typical form of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself to social situations which make you uncomfortable. Through this you can train your brain that the situations aren't as risky as they may appear.
It could take months or even weeks for medication to begin working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can decrease the severity of your anxiety. They can also help relieve your depression symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medication, like alprazolam and clonazepam may help alleviate your symptoms. However they should only be used in short-term doses.
When deciding on a medication, you and your doctor will need to consider the advantages and dangers of each. Certain antidepressants may affect your ability to sleep, and others can increase the risk of suicide. Discuss the possibility of using an antidepressant with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you should also consider whether the medication could interact with any other supplements or drugs you're taking, such as herbal remedies. Your doctor also needs to be aware of how serious your social phobia is, and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Social anxiety disorder is a severe form of anxiety that can be extremely uncomfortable. The condition goes beyond simply feeling anxious before giving an address in public or feeling anxious when meeting new people. It's the constant anxiety about being considered a victim or being embarrassed in some way. Social anxiety disorder is so debilitating that it affects every aspect of life including work and relationships as well as home. There are a myriad of self-help strategies available to help sufferers of social anxiety disorder improve their quality of life.
Self-help can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which aids people to understand their anxiety and change the negative thoughts that cause it. CBT can be done in a group setting or with a counselor, and is typically combined medication. People with social anxiety disorder should also be able to participate in activities that help them feel happy. Exercise, for example can ease stress and boost mood. Spending time with positive people is another way to help yourself. This may be difficult for someone who is anxious about social situations, but it is beneficial if you surround yourself with people who cherish you and appreciate your beauty, even if you might not be able to see it yourself.
Taking on challenges is also an effective way to combat social anxiety, particularly for those with an innate competitive streak. https://lamm-boye-3.blogbright.net/the-best-advice-you-can-ever-get-about-anxiety-disorder-cognitive-behavioral-therapy could be as simple as competing against yourself, for example or trying to speak to each person at a dinner party more times than you did the last time. It could also be as large as accepting the offer of a promotion at work, or going back to school to earn an education in the field you are interested in.
If you haven't had treatment for your social anxiety, start by talking to your physician. They can refer you to an expert in mental health who can provide advice and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy as well as medication. Medicines do not cure social anxiety, but it can help reduce the symptoms.
Medication
Speak to your doctor when you're experiencing anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily routine, or making you avoid certain situations, or making you avoid major life changes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, and will conduct a physical exam to make sure that you don't have an unrelated medical issue. If your doctor suspects you suffer from social anxiety disorder, he will refer you to a mental health professional. There are several types of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help combat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that teaches you new skills to manage anxiety, can help change your negative thoughts and emotions that cause anxiety. CBT can be conducted by yourself or as part of the form of a group. Another type of psychotherapy is exposure therapy, in which a medical professional guides you to face the things that cause anxiety or discomfort, rather than 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 may take a few weeks before the medication begins working. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin), may also be prescribed to people with social anxiety disorders. These drugs work quickly to decrease anxiety and can be addictive, which is why they are typically only used for brief durations or in certain situations, like before giving a speech.
There are other medicines that can be used to treat social anxiety. These include tricyclic antidepressants, as well as the class of medications called monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will select the best medication for your needs based on your symptoms and any other health conditions or allergies you may have. Be sure to inform your doctor about any other medications or supplements you take and discuss any adverse consequences that could arise. It is important to keep taking your medication according to the prescription even if feeling better. Suddenly stopping your medication could increase the chance of suffering a relapse.
Support groups
Support groups can help you understand how to manage and overcome your social anxiety. These groups provide a safe and nonjudgmental forum in which you can discuss your issues with others with the same issue. You can also learn to manage your emotions and improve your quality of life. You can find support groups in person or online.
Be aware of the group's structure and membership requirements before joining. For example, some groups are supervised by mental health professionals and others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. It is also important to consider whether the group will have regular meetings or will operate on a more fluid basis. You might be thinking about the number of people there and how much privacy they'll enjoy.
The best method to select a support group is to ask for recommendations from your doctor or therapist. You should also read reviews of different groups and ask for feedback from those who have participated in the group. You can also consult the resources provided by ADAA and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a list of online and community support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.
Social anxiety disorder can make meeting with strangers an intimidating experience. The thought of standing in front of people could be intimidating. Consider asking a friend or family member to accompany you to the initial meetings if you're concerned about attending on your own. There are support groups on websites like Support Groups Central. This website provides audio and video calling as well as discussion forums and a chat room.
A supportive group can help you deal with your social anxiety by showing you that you're not alone and helping you understand that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't real or distorted. It can also help develop a positive attitude and techniques to effectively deal with your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should be used with caution and should not be a substitute for your healthcare provider's recommended treatment plan.