Social anxiety disorder is quite a common affliction and it makes its sufferers quite wary of mingling. If you frequently avoid seeking out social interactions, you may have this disorder. People with this problem tend to withdraw socially to a remarkable extent. Often, they feel lonely and they also feel powerless to change things for the better. If you or someone that you care about suffers from social anxiety disorder, you’ll benefit from this quick guide.
Hope is out there and we want you to know this! By giving you information about what the disorder is and how to treat it, we hope to help you recover.
Now, let’s define the disorder and touch on its key symptoms. After we do so, we’ll focus on letting you know the most popular and trusted treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder. This disorder is very treatable. However, a sufferer will have to find the courage to seek out the right treatments from a family physician and/or therapist.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
This disorder may also be referred to as social phobia and it is one of the anxiety disorders. Those with social anxiety disorder experience an excessive, irrational fear of socializing. They feel nervous and self-conscious in social situations, as though they are being judged and found lacking. Feelings of distress may result from being placed in social situations, which may lead to avoidance of same. Sometimes, people with this problem actively dread social encounters.
Some people thrive in social situations. Others feel lonely in a crowd. Our innate temperaments play a role in our attitudes towards socializing, as do our childhood and adult experiences. Environmental factors may also play into how we feel and act.
Since people with this problem have distorted perceptions about themselves in relation to others, they may experience panic attack-like symptoms and/or depression when they are thinking about social encounters or enduring social encounters. They need expert help in order to view the world in a more realistic and less paranoid way. Sometimes, painful experiences with peers trigger this disorder. Its roots may take hold in the childhood years or later.
How to Treat This Problem
Treatment for social anxiety disorder typically includes therapy and/or medication. For example, a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and anti-depressants (usually, SSRIs) may be utilized in order to relieve tension and change thinking for the better. Those who suffer from this disorder may experience real improvements too physical symptoms (nervousness, blushing, anxiety, and fear, for example) via therapy and medication. This is why the key to unlocking better mental health is talking to a family doctor today.
A doctor has the power to prescribe the right anti-depressants and to refer patients to their right therapists. While those why are very shy and socially anxious may find the prospect of seeing a doctor and talking about Social Anxiety Disorder disturbing, finding the motivation to do so will be very smart. With the right treatment, patients with this disorder may go on to lead happier lives and to get more value from social interactions.