11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Anxiety Disorder How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations. If these feelings get overwhelming, it may be a sign of a social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorders typically involve distress or fear in most social and performance situations. The fear or distress is not proportional to the risk involved in the situation. The fear can be generalized or specific.

Treatment

Social anxiety sufferers experience intense anxiety and stress that is out of proportion to the actual risk, such as being embarrassed or snubbed in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations, and in some instances, can lead to depression or other health issues. Luckily, there are many treatment options for this disorder.

Psychotherapy and medication can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy (also referred to as cognitive behavior treatment) can help you develop coping skills to manage anxiety and change negative thoughts patterns. Your therapist and you work together to increase your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause stress. In general 12 to 16 therapy sessions are required for this type of treatment.

Therapy for talking is available in person or via the internet. One common therapy is called exposure therapy, in which you gradually expose yourself to situations that make you uncomfortable. You can train your brain to accept that these situations might not be as risky as it seems.

There are a variety of drugs that treat social anxiety disorders however, they may take a few weeks or even months to start working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help reduce the intensity of your anxiety. They may also help with the symptoms of depression. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medications, like alprazolam and clonazepam, can aid in relieving your symptoms. However, they should only be used in short-term doses.

When deciding on a medication, you and your physician will have to weigh the benefits and dangers of each. Some antidepressants can interfere with your ability to sleep and others can increase the risk of suicide. Discuss the possibility of taking an antidepressant with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapy provider and you can discuss whether the medication may interfere with other medications or supplements you're using, such as herbal remedies. Your doctor will also need to know how severe your social phobia is and how it impacts your daily life.

Self-help

Everyone experiences anxiety or discomfort in social situations sometimes however, those experiences are different than those who suffer from severe social anxiety disorder. For those suffering from this condition, it's not just a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior to giving a speech in public or getting nervous about meeting new friends; they have a constant fear that others might judge them or humiliate them in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating that it can affect all aspects of life including home, work and relationships. There are a variety of self-help methods available to help sufferers of social anxiety disorder improve their lives.

Self-help may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists people understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that cause it. CBT can be conducted in a group or with a counselor, and is typically mixed with other medications. Social anxiety sufferers should also be involved in activities that they enjoy. Exercise, for example can ease stress and boost mood. Spending time with positive people is another self-help technique. It can be difficult for someone who has social anxiety to surround themselves with positive people.

The act of taking on challenges is an effective way to combat social anxiety, especially for those with a competitive nature. It could be as easy as competing with yourself, for example or trying to speak to each person at the dinner party more often than you did the last time. It could also be as big as accepting a promotion at work or going back to school to earn an education in your area of interest.

Consult your general practitioner in the event that you haven't yet sought help for social anxiety. They may refer you to a mental healthcare professional who can offer advice and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medicines do not cure social anxiety but it can reduce the symptoms.


Medication

If you're experiencing anxiety or fear that affects your daily life, or makes you avoid certain situations or big life changes, speak to a health care provider. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, and will conduct an examination to make sure that you don't have an unrelated medical problem. If your doctor suspects you have social anxiety disorder, he or she will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are many types of psychotherapy that can help treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn new skills to deal with your anxiety and help you change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be conducted by yourself or with a group of people in support groups. Exposure therapy is another form of psychotherapy where the healthcare professional assists a patient face things that create anxiety and discomfort instead of abstaining from 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 your brain that improve mood and reduce anxiety. It can take a few weeks for the medications to start working. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin), may also be prescribed to people with social anxiety disorders . These drugs work quickly to reduce anxiety, and they can also be addictive, which is why they are usually only used for brief durations or in specific circumstances, like prior to giving a speech.

There are other medicines that can be used to treat social anxiety. These include tricyclic antidepressants, and the class called monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will choose the right medication for your needs based on your symptoms and any other health issues or allergies you may have. Be sure to inform your doctor about any other supplements or medications you're taking, and discuss any side consequences that could arise. It is crucial to continue taking your medication according to the prescription, even if you are feeling better. Suddenly stopping your medication could increase the chance of having a Relapse.

Support groups

If you're a social anxious person support groups can help you overcome your fears and learn to cope with your condition. They provide a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere in which you can discuss your issues with others who suffer from the same disorder. You can also learn to manage your emotions and improve your life quality. You can find support groups in person or on the internet.

Before joining any support group, take note of its structure and membership requirements. Certain groups are supervised by mental health professionals while others are self-help group with no professional guidance. Think about whether the group will be meeting regularly or will be more fluid. You may be thinking about the number of people who will be there and how much privacy they'll enjoy.

A therapist or doctor asking for suggestions is the best way to find an appropriate support group. You should also read reviews of different groups and get feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also use the resources offered by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have lists of online and community support groups for anxiety disorders across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Meeting with strangers can be a scary experience for people with social anxiety disorders, and the idea of being in front of a group of people can feel overwhelming. Ask a friend or a family member to accompany you to the initial meetings if you're worried about attending on your own. Support groups can be found on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website has audio and video calling as well as discussion forums and a chat room.

A supportive group can help you deal with your social anxiety by teaching you that you're not the only one and assisting you to realize that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't real or accurate. It can help you develop a more positive outlook and build strategies to manage your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should be used with caution, and should not be used to replace your healthcare provider's recommended treatment plan.