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How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations. If these feelings become overwhelming, it may be a sign of social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is characterised by fear or distress when confronted with performance or social situations. The anxiety or stress in a particular situation is out of proportion to the actual risk. The fears could be general or specific.
Treatment
Social anxiety sufferers feel intense fear and distress that is out of proportion to the actual risk that they face, for example, feeling embarrassed or snubbed in public. These emotions can lead to a avoiding of social situations, and in some cases depression or other health issues. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments for this condition.
Psychotherapy and medications can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you develop ways to manage your anxiety and change negative patterns of thinking. Your therapist and you will work together to increase your confidence and gradually face the situations that cause you stress. This kind of treatment typically takes between 12 and 16 sessions.
Online or in person You can avail the benefits of talking therapies. One common therapy is called exposure therapy, which is where you gradually expose yourself to situations that cause you to feel uncomfortable. You can train your brain to accept that the situations may not be as risky as they seem.
There are a variety of medications that treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take a few weeks or even months to start working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine can reduce your anxiety. They may also help your depressive symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medication, like alprazolam and clonazepam may help relieve your symptoms. However, they should only be taken short-term.
When deciding on a medication, you and your doctor will have to evaluate the benefits and potential dangers of each. Certain antidepressants can interfere with your sleep, while others may increase your risk of suicide. If you're thinking of taking an antidepressant, discuss it with your psychologist or therapist. You and your therapist can also discuss whether the medication may interact with other supplements or drugs you're taking, for example, herbal remedies. In addition to looking into the medicines your doctor will also need to understand the extent to which your social anxiety is and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Social anxiety disorder is a serious form of anxiety that can make you extremely uncomfortable. This disorder is more than just feeling nervous before giving an address in public or being nervous when meeting new people. It's a constant anxiety about being humiliated or judged in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so limiting that it can affect every aspect of life, including home, work, and relationships. Fortunately, there are many self-help strategies that can help people with this condition improve their lives.
Self-help includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a form of therapy that helps people understand anxiety and change the negative thoughts which trigger anxiety. CBT can be conducted in a group or individually with a therapist, and is often combined medication. People with social anxiety should also be involved in activities they enjoy. Exercise, for instance can ease stress and boost mood. Another way to improve your self-esteem is to surround yourself with positive people. It can be challenging for someone with social anxieties to be around positive people.
It is possible to overcome social anxiety by tackling challenges, especially if you are competitive. This could be as simple as competing with yourself, for instance trying to talk to everyone at the dinner party more often than you did the last time. Or, it could be as big as accepting a promotion at work or going back to school to earn a degree in your area of interest.
If you haven't yet sought treatment for your social anxiety begin by speaking to your general practitioner. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who can offer guidance and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. The use of medication does not eliminate social anxiety but it can help reduce the symptoms.
Medication
Consult your physician when you're experiencing anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily routine, or making you avoid certain situations, or major life changes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical exam to ensure that you don't have a separate medical issue. If your doctor suspects that you suffer from social anxiety, they will refer you to a specialist in mental health. There are a variety of psychotherapy that can treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching you new strategies to manage anxiety, can help change your negative thoughts and emotions that cause it. CBT can be conducted by yourself or in a support group. Exposure therapy is another type of psychotherapy where a healthcare professional helps a patient face things that create anxiety and discomfort rather than avoid 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 can cause changes in the brain that improve your mood and decrease anxiety. It can take several weeks before the medication starts working. Benzodiazepines, like alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin) can also be used for some people suffering from social anxiety disorders. These drugs work quickly to reduce anxiety and are habit-forming, and are usually only prescribed for short periods of time or on-demand in specific situations, such as before giving a speech.
There are numerous other types of medicines that be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants and a class of drugs referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the best medication for you, depending on your symptoms and other health issues. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medications or supplements. Also, discuss any possible side effects. It is essential to continue following the prescribed dosage even if feeling better. If you stop your medication abruptly, it could increase the chance of an rebound.
Support groups
If you're a social anxious person support groups can help you overcome your anxieties and learn to manage your condition. These groups provide an unprejudiced and safe space where you can talk about your issues with others who have the same condition. You can also learn how to manage your emotions and increase your life quality. Support groups are available in person or on the internet.
Consider the group's structure and the membership requirements prior to joining. Certain groups are supervised by mental health professionals, and others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. You should also consider whether the group will have regular meetings or will operate on a more flexible basis. You might be thinking about the number of people there and the level of privacy they'll enjoy.
Asking your doctor or therapist for recommendations is the best way to locate a support group. You should also read reviews about various groups and request feedback from people who have participated in the group.
generalized anxiety disorder can also consult the resources provided by ADAA which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a list of community and online support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be a frightening experience for people with social anxiety disorder, and the thought of sitting in front of a crowd of people can be overwhelming. If you're concerned about going to a meeting alone, consider asking a friend or family member to join you for the first few meetings. Support groups can be found on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website has audio and video calling, discussion forums, and chat rooms.
A supportive group can help you deal with your social anxiety. It will show you that you're not the only one, and it will assist you in recognizing that your negative thoughts about yourself are not true or distorted. It can also help you develop an optimistic attitude and the techniques to effectively deal with your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should be used with caution and should not be a substitute for your healthcare provider's recommended treatment plan.