How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations. If these feelings become overwhelming, it could be a sign of a social anxiety disorder.
generalized anxiety disorder involve fear or distress in most social and performance situations. The distress or fear is not proportional to the actual risk in the situation. The fears could be specific or generalized.
Treatment
People suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and stress that is insignificant to the actual danger, such as being embarrassed or humiliated in public. These feelings lead to avoiding social situations, and in some cases, can develop into depression or other health problems. There are many treatment options available to treat this condition.
Psychotherapy and medication can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, can help you learn strategies to manage your anxiety and alter negative thoughts patterns. Together with your therapist, you can increase your confidence to face difficult situations. In general, 12 to 16 therapy sessions are needed for this type of treatment.
Online or in person, you can access therapy sessions via a chat. One of the most popular therapies is exposure therapy, which is where you gradually expose yourself to situations that cause you to feel uncomfortable. You can teach your brain to accept that the situation might not be as dangerous as it seems.
It can take weeks or even months before medications begin to work. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help reduce the severity of your anxiety. They can also ease your depression 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 (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) are also able to help to reduce your symptoms, but should only be used for short-term use.
When deciding on a medication, you and your physician will have to consider the advantages and risks of each choice. Certain antidepressants can interfere with your sleep, while others may increase your suicide risk. Consider using an antidepressant with your counselor or psychologist. Your therapist and you can also consider whether the medication might interact with other medications or supplements you're taking, for example, herbal remedies. Your doctor will also have to be aware of how severe your social anxiety is and how it impacts your daily life.
Self-help
Social anxiety disorder is a serious form of anxiety that can be very uncomfortable. For someone who has this disorder, it's more than just a matter of having butterflies in the stomach prior giving a public speech or being nervous about making new friends; they have an unending fear that people might judge them or humiliate them in some way. Social anxiety disorder is such a debilitating condition that it can affect all aspects of life, including work, relationships, and home. Fortunately, there are many self-help strategies that can help people with this condition improve their quality of life.
Self-help may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people to understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be done individually with a therapist or in a group, and is often paired with medication. People with social anxiety should also engage in activities that they enjoy. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and boost mood. Spending time with people who are positive is another self-help technique. This may be difficult for someone with social anxiety, but it is beneficial to surround yourself with people who are supportive of you and appreciate your beauty even though you may not be able to see it yourself.
Taking on challenges is also an effective way to reduce social anxiety, especially for those who have an innate competitive streak. It could be as simple a competition with yourself. For instance try to talk to every person at a party longer than you did the last time. It could also be as simple as accepting a promotion at work or returning to school to earn a degree in your field of interest.
Talk to your doctor in the event that you haven't yet sought help for social anxiety. They can refer to an expert in mental health who can offer you assistance and guidance. Self-help options include psychotherapy as well as medication. Medicines do not cure social anxiety but it can reduce the symptoms.
Medication
Talk 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 about your symptoms and conduct an examination to make sure that you don't have a medical issue that is separate from your. If your doctor suspects you have social anxiety, he'll refer you to a specialist in mental health. There are many kinds 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 techniques for managing anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and emotions that cause it. CBT can be performed by yourself or as part of a support group. Another type of psychotherapy is exposure therapy. where a health professional guides you to face the things that make you feel anxious or uncomfortable, 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 cause changes in the brain that boost your mood and reduce anxiety. It could take several weeks for the medication to begin working. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin), may be prescribed for people suffering from social anxiety disorders. These medications can reduce anxiety rapidly and eventually become habit-forming. They should only be used in short-term situations or on demand.
There are a variety of other kinds of drugs that can be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants as well as a class of drugs known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the appropriate medication for you based on your symptoms and any other health issues or allergies you suffer from. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medications, supplements or vitamins. Also, discuss any possible adverse effects. Even even if you feel better it is essential to follow the medication as prescribed. If you stop your medication abruptly, it could increase the chance of a rebound.
Support groups
Support groups can help you learn to manage and overcome your social anxiety. These groups provide an unprejudiced and safe space in which you can discuss your concerns with other people who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn how to manage your emotions and increase your quality of life. Support groups are available in person or online.
Before joining a support group, consider its structure and membership requirements. Certain groups are supervised by mental health professionals, and others are self-help groups without 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 also want to consider how many members will be in attendance and the amount of privacy you'll have.
The best way to choose the right support group is to request recommendations from your doctor or therapist. You must also read reviews of various groups and request feedback from people who have participated in the group. You can also utilize the resources provided by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have a list of online and community support groups for those suffering from anxiety disorders in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Social anxiety disorder can make meeting with strangers a terrifying experience. The thought of standing in front of others can also be stressful. If you're worried about attending a gathering alone, consider asking someone from your family or a friend to join you for the first few meetings. You can find support groups on websites like Support Groups Central. This website has audio and video calling as well as discussion forums and a chat room.
A supportive group can assist you in dealing with your social anxiety by teaching you that you're not the only one and helping you realize that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't accurate or true at all. It can also help you develop a positive attitude and skills to deal effectively with your social anxieties. However any advice you receive from a support group should be taken with care and should not be used to replace the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.