How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and may be a sign that you have social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorders usually involve fear or distress in a majority of social and performance situations. The fear or distress is insignificant to the actual risk in the situation. The fear can be specific or generalized.
Treatment
Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel fear and distress beyond the actual risk. For example, they may be afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations and, in a few instances, can lead to depression or other health problems. Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options for this disorder.
Psychotherapy and medications can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive behavior therapy, can help you develop coping skills to manage your anxiety and alter 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 for this type of treatment.
The therapy of talking can be done in person or via the internet. A common type of therapy is exposure therapy, which is where you gradually expose yourself to situations that make you uncomfortable. You can help your brain accept that the situation might not be as hazardous as they seem.
There are several types of drugs used to treat social anxiety disorder however, they may take a few weeks or even months to begin working. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can decrease the severity of your anxiety. They may 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 may help relieve your symptoms. However they should only be taken in short-term doses.
Your doctor and you should evaluate the risks and advantages of each medication before choosing one. Some antidepressants can interfere with your ability to sleep and some can increase your risk of suicide. Discuss the possibility of using an antidepressant with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you can also consider whether the medicine might interact with other drugs or supplements you are taking, such as herbal remedies. In addition to looking into the medication your doctor needs to know the extent to which your social anxiety is and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Social anxiety disorder is a severe type of anxiety that can be extremely uncomfortable. For someone who has this disorder, it's more than just a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior giving a public speech or feeling anxious about meeting new people; they also have an unending fear that people will judge them or shame them in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating that it affects every aspect of life including work or relationships, as well as at home. Fortunately, there is a variety of self-help techniques that can help people with this condition improve their lives.
Self-help can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that trigger it. CBT can be performed by a therapist on an individual basis or in a group, and is often combined with medication. Social anxiety sufferers should also try to engage in activities that make them feel good. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and improve mood. Another way to improve your self-esteem is to be around positive people. This can be difficult for someone with social anxiety however it can be beneficial if you can surround yourself with people who cherish you and appreciate your beauty, even though you may not see it yourself.
In addition, taking on challenges can be an effective way to combat social anxiety, especially for those who have a competitive nature. It could be as simple as an exercise in competition with yourself. For example, try to talk to everyone at a party more than you did the previous time. generalized anxiety disorder could be as simple as competing with yourself, for example trying to speak to everyone at a dinner party more than you did the last time.
If you haven't yet sought treatment for your anxiety about social situations Begin by talking to your general practitioner. They can refer to a mental health professional who can offer advice and assistance. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medicines do not cure social anxiety but it can lessen the symptoms.
Medication
Speak to your doctor when you're experiencing anxiety or fear that is interfering with your daily activities, or making you avoid certain situations, or making you avoid major life changes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and perform an examination to ensure that there isn't a recurrent medical problem. If your doctor suspects you suffer from social anxiety, he'll refer you to a specialist in mental health. There are a variety of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can be used to treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you new strategies to manage anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and feelings that trigger it. CBT can either be done on your own or in the form of a group. Exposure therapy is another type of psychotherapy, where the healthcare professional assists a patient face things that create anxiety and discomfort rather than avoiding or 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 trigger changes in the brain that boost your mood and reduce anxiety. It may take some time before the medication starts working. Some people with social anxiety disorder might also benefit from benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These medications work quickly to reduce anxiety, and they can also be addictive, which is why they are typically only prescribed for short periods of time or on-demand in specific circumstances, like prior to giving speech.
There are other medicines that can be used to combat social anxiety. They include tricyclic antidepressants, as well as the class called monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will choose the most effective medication for you, in accordance with your symptoms and health conditions. Be sure to inform your doctor about any other supplements or medications you're taking, and discuss any side effects that could occur. It is crucial to continue following the prescribed dosage, even if you are feeling better. Stopping your medication suddenly could increase the chance of having a Relapse.
Support groups
If you're a social anxiety sufferer, support groups can help you overcome your fears and learn to cope with your condition. These groups provide a secure and non-judgmental space in which you can discuss your issues with other people who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn how to manage your emotions and improve your quality of life. Support groups can be found in person or on the internet.
Be aware of the group's structure and the membership requirements prior to joining. For example, some groups are run by mental health professionals while others are self-help organizations with no professional guidance. It is also important to consider whether the group will meet regularly or if it will operate on a more fluid basis. You may also want to consider how many people will be in attendance and the amount of privacy you'll enjoy.
Asking your therapist or doctor for suggestions is the best method to find an appropriate support group. You should also read reviews about 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 of online and community support groups across the United States, Canada and other countries.
Social anxiety disorders can make meeting strangers a frightening experience. The idea of standing in front of others can be a bit intimidating. Ask a friend or a family member to accompany you to the first few meetings if you are worried about going to meetings on your own. You can also find support groups via websites like Support Groups Central, which offers video and audio calls, discussion forums chat rooms, and discussion forums.
A good support group can assist you in dealing with social anxiety by showing you that you're not alone and helping you realize that the negative thoughts you have about yourself aren't accurate or distorted. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the techniques to effectively deal with your social anxiety. However, any advice you receive from a support group must be treated with caution and should not be a substitute for the treatment plan suggested by your doctor.