How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations. If these feelings get overwhelming, it may be a sign of social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorders typically include fear or distress in the majority of social and performance situations. The anxiety or fear is insignificant to the risk involved in the situation. The fear could be generalized or specific.
Treatment
Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel anxious and depressed in a way that is not proportional to the actual danger. For http://www.oovideos.com/members/angoralead50/activity/658659/ may be afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in public. These feelings cause them to avoid social situations, and in some instances, may lead to depression or other health problems. Luckily, there are many treatment options for this condition.
Psychotherapy and medication can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy (also called cognitive behavioral treatment) can help you develop coping techniques for managing anxiety and changing negative thinking patterns. Your therapist and you collaborate to build your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause you stress. Typically, 12 to 16 therapy sessions are necessary for this type of treatment.
Talking therapies are available either in person or via the internet. One of the most popular therapies is exposure therapy, in which you gradually expose yourself to situations that make you uncomfortable. Through this, you can teach your brain that the situations aren't as hazardous as they seem.
There are several types of drugs that treat social anxiety disorders However, they can take a few weeks or even months to start working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline can help reduce 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 medications such as alprazolam and clonazepam can also aid in relieving your symptoms. However, they should only be taken short-term.
Your doctor and you should weigh the risks and benefits of each medication before choosing one. Some antidepressants can interfere with your ability to sleep, and certain medications can increase your risk of suicide. If you're thinking of taking an antidepressant, talk about it with your therapist or psychologist. Your therapist and you should also consider whether the medication might interact with other supplements or drugs you are taking, for example, herbal remedies. Your doctor will also need to know how severe your social anxiety is and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Everyone experiences anxiety or discomfort in social situations sometimes, but those emotions are different from those of people who have severe social anxiety disorder. For someone who has this condition, it's not just a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior to giving a speech in public or being nervous about making new people; they also have an unending fear that people might judge them or humiliate them in some way. Social anxiety can be so severe that it can impact all aspects of life including work, home, and relationships. There are a variety of self-help methods available to help sufferers of social anxiety disorder improve their lives.
Self-help is a form of therapy that includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a form of therapy that assists people deal with anxiety and change the negative thoughts that cause it. CBT can be conducted in a group or individually with a counselor, and is typically combined with medication. People suffering from social anxiety should also try to engage in activities that make them feel good. Exercise, for example can help relieve anxiety and improve mood. Spending time with positive people is another self-help technique. It can be challenging for someone who has social anxiety to surround themselves with positive people.
It is possible to conquer social anxiety by tackling tasks, particularly if are competitive. It could be as easy as battling yourself, for example, trying to talk to everyone at a dinner party more times than you did the last time. Or, it could be as simple as accepting a promotion at work or returning to school to earn an education in your field of interest.
Consult your general practitioner if you haven't sought help for social anxiety. They can refer you to a mental health professional who can offer advice and support. Self-help options can include psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications. Medicines do not cure social anxiety, but it can reduce the symptoms.
Medication
If you are experiencing anxiety and fear that affects your daily life or causes you to avoid certain situations or major life changes, talk to an expert in health care. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and conduct an examination to make sure that there isn't a recurrent medical issue. If your doctor suspects you suffer from social anxiety disorder, he or she will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are several types of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that teaches you new skills for managing anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and feelings that trigger anxiety. CBT can either be done by yourself or in an organization that supports you. Another form of psychotherapy is exposure therapy, in which a healthcare professional assists you in overcoming the things that cause anxiety or discomfort 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 signal changes in your brain that improve your mood and decrease anxiety. It may take a few weeks before the medication begins working. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin), may also be used for some people with social anxiety disorder. These medications work quickly to decrease anxiety and can be addictive, which is why they are usually only used for brief periods of time or on-demand in certain situations, such as before giving speech.
There are a variety of other kinds of medicines that help with social anxiety, such as tricyclic antidepressants and a class of medications known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will choose the best medication for you based on your symptoms and any other health conditions or allergies that you have. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medication or supplements. Also discuss any possible adverse effects. It is crucial to continue taking your medication according to the prescription even if feeling better. If you stop taking your medication suddenly, it increases the likelihood of having a relapse.
Support groups
Support groups can help you learn to cope and overcome your social anxiety. They offer a safe and nonjudgmental forum where you can discuss your concerns with other people with the same issue. 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, consider the structure and the requirements for membership. Some groups are led professionally by mental health professionals while others are self-help groups without professional guidance. It is also important to consider whether the group will be regularly scheduled to meet or if it will operate on a more fluid basis. You might also want to consider how many members will be in attendance and how much privacy you'll have.
The best way to choose a support group is to seek suggestions from your therapist or doctor. You must also read reviews of various groups and seek feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also make use of the resources offered by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have a list for online and community support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be an intimidating experience for those suffering from social anxiety disorders. The thought of sitting in front of a group of people can feel overwhelming. If you're nervous about attending a gathering with a stranger, think about asking someone from your family or a friend to go with you for the first few meetings. You can also find support groups on websites like Support Groups Central, which offers video and audio calls, discussion forums, chat rooms and discussion forums.
A supportive group can assist you in overcoming your social anxiety. It will teach you that you're not the only one and aid you in understanding that your negative thoughts about yourself are not true or distorted. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the skills to deal effectively with your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should be used with care, and should not be a substitute for the advice of your doctor's treatment plan.