What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a serious anxiety disorder that can hinder with your daily activities. Although most people feel uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, those with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It can affect their relationships and careers. It can also lead to depression and drug abuse.

Treatment could include cognitive behavioral therapy including medication, role-playing, medication and social skills training. Treatment options include antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder is defined by a high level of anxiety and fear when people are afraid that people will judge them negatively based on their behavior. This includes situations such as meeting new people, eating or drinking in public, or giving a speech. The person might avoid the fearful situation or be in anxiety and distress. These feelings are in proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment. They also cause significant disruptions in daily life and affect relationships. People suffering from this condition are less likely to have close friends, get jobs, or maintain intimate relationships. They also are at a greater risk of depression and substance abuse.

The symptoms of this disorder could include shaking, blushing, or sweating. The person may not be able to speak clearly or make eye contact. He or she might tremble when speaking on the phone or writing, and might be unable to maintain an employment position due to poor performance in meetings or interviews.

In extreme cases, the symptoms of this disorder could cause the sufferer to develop additional anxiety disorders or a major depressive disorder, and to have suicidal thoughts. In these instances the treatment will be more intensive and should be guided by a mental health professional with experience in managing these disorders.

Certain psychotherapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), may aid in treating social anxiety. CBT seeks to change negative thoughts or beliefs which can cause the disorder. It also teaches the person to confront the situations that cause anxiety gradually, with the help of a therapist and a safe environment. A form of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevent or cognitively delivered exposure can be used to treat individuals with extreme social anxieties.

The use of medication is usually in conjunction with psychological treatments to ease symptoms of this disorder. These medications can help reduce or eliminate the painful and embarrassing symptoms of this disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) are usually prescribed for this condition. Beta blockers and other antidepressants could also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Everyone is anxious in certain social situations, like meeting new people, going on a date or giving an appearance. If the fear is so overwhelming that it interferes with your daily life you might need to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia, the disorder is not based on a person's personality or the environment and differs from shyness. It is a chronic real illness that requires treatment.

A medical professional will typically determine if a condition is present by speaking with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist will then suggest psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to control symptoms.

Certain kinds of talk therapy can help with anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method assists a person recognize and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that trigger the anxiety. It can help people learn to manage stressful situations, including relaxation techniques or calming breathing. It may also incorporate an exposure therapy which involves gradually exposing the person to the social situations that they are afraid of under the guidance of a therapist.

Many people with social anxiety disorder get relief by taking prescription medications, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine, (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), have been used to treat anxiety disorders involving social interaction. However, other drugs could be equally efficient. Sometimes, it takes several attempts to find the best medication for an individual.

Research shows that a combination of therapies is the most effective. This can include CBT and exposure therapy or other kinds of psychological treatment such as interpersonal therapy. It is essential that a person receives treatment for anxiety as it can lead to depression or addictions like alcohol and drugs. It can also lead to problems at school or at work and can cause isolation.

Some people with social anxiety may benefit from expressive therapies, such as art therapy. The therapy teaches people to express themselves through drawing, painting or other creative activities. It has been demonstrated that in some cases it can help reduce anxiety-related symptoms.

Treatment

Many people are nervous when they meet new people or give presentations. When https://orchidcoke90.werite.net/14-smart-ways-to-spend-left-over-depression-and-anxiety-disorder-budget and anxiety persist, it can develop into a mental disorder called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It's more than shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Therapy or medication are possible treatment options.

A health professional like counselors or doctors, can often provide a diagnosis. They will examine to determine if physical issues are causing your symptoms. Then, they will recommend you to an expert in mental health, such as psychiatrist or psychologist.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular form of psychotherapy for treating social anxiety disorder. In CBT you will be guided by a trained psychotherapist to rethink negative thinking patterns and find better ways to deal with stressful situations. Additionally, you can try relaxation techniques and learn to face your fears in small steps. CBT usually runs over multiple sessions, and you could be asked to complete assignments between sessions.

Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders and they can be beneficial for certain people suffering from social anxiety disorders. 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 notice effects, and they can cause negative side effects, such as insomnia or headaches.

Medicines that block the stimulant effect of adrenaline, including beta-blockers, are also available and may help control certain physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate as well as sweating and shaking of voice and limbs. These medications can be addictive and sedating. Therefore, doctors don't usually prescribe these medications to treat social anxiety.

Research suggests that children who have social anxiety might be able to overcome it as they grow up however, if the disorder is not treated it could result in serious depression and other mental health issues. If your child suffers from severe social anxiety consult your GP about treatment options.

The following is a list of preventions.

Although it's normal to feel anxious or nervous in certain social situations, like meeting new people or giving an oral presentation, this feeling can become a disorder when it affects daily activities and causes distress. It is more than shyness, and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships and school or work performance. If you have issues with this condition, it is important to seek out help. Fortunately, there are many options for help including medication, therapy to support groups.

People with social anxiety usually realize that their fears are irrational and overblown, but they struggle to overcome these fears. They may avoid social interactions and do not have the opportunity to gain education, work, and friendships. They are also at greater risk of depression or abuse of substances.

Stress management and talk therapy techniques like breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation are commonly used to help with social anxiety. A therapist can show you how to overcome negative, harmful thoughts that fuel your anxiety about social situations and replace them with more balanced thoughts. They can also utilize the role-playing technique, social skills training and other cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to help you gradually face the situations that cause anxiety in a safe setting.

Medications can also be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of social anxiety such as heart palpitations or sweating. People with this condition should discuss potential adverse effects with their doctor prior to starting a medication.

Some mental health professionals recommend abstaining from substances such as caffeine, alcohol or other drugs that could exacerbate your symptoms. They may suggest that you rest enough and eat healthy foods. They might also suggest to go for an outdoor walk, which can have a calming effect and help you to focus on the beauty around you.

The need for help with social anxiety is a common thing and there are a variety of treatment options available. If you're looking for treatment or medication, it's important to start treatment early so that your symptoms don't spiral out of control and keep you from living the life you want to live. If you need help, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed, accredited counselor who can help you deal with your emotions and flourish in your daily life.