What Is Social Anxiety Disorder
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Social Anxiety Disorder: Beyond simple shyness
Are you very afraid of being judged by others? Are you very aware
of yourself in daily social situations? Do you avoid meeting new people? If you
have felt this way for at least six months and these feelings make it difficult
for you to do everyday tasks, such as talking to others at work or at school,
you may have a social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder (also
called social phobia) is a mental health problem. It is an intense and
persistent fear of being observed and judged by others. This fear can affect
work, school, and other daily activities. It can even make it difficult to make
and keep friends. However, social anxiety disorder does not have to stop you
from reaching your potential. Treatment can help you overcome your symptoms.
What
does it feel like to have a generalized anxiety disorder?
"At school, I was always afraid that teachers would ask me
something, even when I knew the answer. I didn't want others to think I was
dumb or bored. My heart was beating very hard and I felt dizzy and sick. When I
started I didn't like to meet with my boss or have to speak at a meeting, I
couldn't even attend the reception for my best friend's wedding because I was
afraid to meet new people, I tried to calm down by drinking several glasses of
wine before any event and then I started drinking every day to try to face the
things I had to do. "
"I finally talked to my doctor because I was tired of feeling
this way and I was worried that I could lose my job. Now I am taking medication
and I meet with a counselor to talk about how to face my fears. I refuse to
turn to alcohol to escape my fears and I'm starting to feel better. "
What Is it a social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder is a common type of anxiety disorder.
People with this disorder have symptoms of anxiety or fear in certain or all
social situations, such as when they meet new people, go on dates, have a job
interview, answer a question in class or have to talk to a cashier. a store.
Even doing simple things in front of other people, such as eating or drinking
in front of others or using a public restroom, can cause them anxiety or fear.
They are afraid of being humiliated, judged, and rejected.
The fear that people with this disorder have in social situations
is so strong that they think that controlling it is beyond their capacity. As a
result, fear gets in the way of their ability to go to work, attend school, or
do everyday things. People with a social anxiety disorder may worry about these
and other things for weeks before they occur. Sometimes, they end up not going
to places or events where they think they might have to do something to
embarrass them.
Some people with this disorder do not have anxiety in social
contexts, but rather have performance anxiety. That is, they feel physical
symptoms of anxiety in situations such as when they have to give a speech,
participate in sports, or dance or play a musical instrument on stage.
In people who are extremely shy, social anxiety disorder usually
begins in youth. This disorder is not so rare. Research suggests that about 7
percent of people in the United States are affected. Without treatment, a social
anxiety disorder can last for many years or a lifetime and can prevent a person
from reaching their full potential.
What
are the signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder?
When surrounded by other people or when they have to act in front
of someone, people with social anxiety tend to:
·
Redden, sweat, shake, or feel that your heart
beats very fast or that your "mind goes blank"
·
Having nausea or upset stomach
·
Show a rigid body posture, make little eye
contact or speak in an extremely low voice
·
Feeling scared or making it difficult for them
to be with other people, especially if they don't know them yet, and having
difficulty talking to them even if they wanted to
·
Be very aware of themselves in front of other
people and feel ashamed and clumsy
·
Be very afraid of other people judging them
·
Avoid places where there are other people
What causes social anxiety disorder?
Sometimes social anxiety disorder is
hereditary, but nobody knows for sure why some family members have it and
others don't. Researchers have discovered that fear and anxiety involve various
parts of the brain. Some researchers think that a misinterpretation of the
behavior of others can play a role in generating or worsening social anxiety.
For example, you may think that they are looking at you or frowning when they
really are not. Not having well-developed social skills is another possible
contributor to social anxiety. For example, if you don't have good social
skills, you may feel discouraged after talking with other people and may worry
about having to do it again. By learning more about fear and anxiety in the
brain, it is possible that scientists can develop better treatments.
Researchers are also exploring whether stress and environmental factors can
play a role.
How is a social anxiety disorder
treated?
First, talk to your doctor about your
symptoms. It is important that your doctor do an exam and take your medical
history to make sure your symptoms are not caused by an unrelated physical
problem. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a
psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker or counselor. The first step
in achieving an effective treatment is to establish a diagnosis, and that will
usually be done by a mental health specialist.
Usually, social anxiety disorder is
treated with psychotherapy (sometimes called "dialogue" therapy),
medications, or a combination of both. Ask your doctor or other health care
provider what is the best treatment for you. If they cannot refer you to a
specialist, visit them for resources that may be helpful.
Psychotherapy
A psychotherapy class called cognitively
behavioral therapy is especially useful for treating social anxiety disorder.
Teach other ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to different situations to
feel less anxiety or fear. In addition, it also serves to learn and practice to
develop socially. It can be especially useful to perform cognitive behavioral
therapy in a group. for more information
Support groups
Many people with social anxiety also
find support groups beneficial. In the context of a group in which all people
have a social anxiety disorder, you can receive unbiased and honest information
about how others in the group see it. In this way, they realize that their
thoughts about how others judge and reject it are not real or distorted. You
can also learn how other people with social anxiety disorder address and
overcome the fear of social situations.
Medicines
There are three types of medications
used to treat anxiety disorder:
·
Anxiolytics (medicines to combat anxiety)
·
Antidepressants
· Beta-blockers or beta-blockers
Anxiolytics are powerful and begin to
take effect immediately to reduce feelings of anxiety. However, these
medications are usually not taken for long periods of time. People can develop
tolerance if they are taken over a long period of time and they may need higher
and higher doses to achieve the same effect. Some people may even depend on
them. To avoid these problems, doctors usually prescribe anxiolytics for short
periods, a practice that is especially conducive to older people.
Although antidepressants are used
primarily to treat depression, they also serve to treat the symptoms of social
anxiety disorder. In contrast to anxiolytics, antidepressants may take several
weeks to begin to take effect. In addition, they can cause side effects, such
as headaches, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. These side effects are usually not
serious for most people, especially if you start with a low dose and gradually
increase it. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you have.
Beta-blockers are medications that can
help block some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat,
excessive sweating, or trembling. In general, beta-blockers are the preferred
medications to treat the type of performance-related social anxiety.
Your doctor will work with you to find
the medication, dose, and duration of treatment that is best for you. Many
people with social anxiety disorder achieve the best results using a
combination of medications and cognitive behavioral therapy or other
psychotherapy.
Do not give up treatment too quickly.
Both psychotherapy and medication can take some time to achieve results. A
healthy lifestyle can also help fight anxiety. Be sure to get enough sleep and
exercise, eat a healthy diet, and turn to family and trusted friends for
support.
For basic information on these and
other mental health medications, You can also check the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) for the latest information on warnings, patient
medication guides or recently approved medications.
How to find help
The mental health treatment program
locator
The Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers this resource on the Internet that
helps you find mental health disorder treatment facilities and programs. The
section of that locator corresponding to Behavioral Health Treatment Services
Locator indicates the establishments that provide mental health services to
people with mental health illnesses. Find an establishment in your state at For additional resource
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