How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

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

Social anxiety disorders typically involve distress or fear in a majority of social and performance situations. The anxiety or stress in a situation is not out of proportion to the actual risk. The fear can be specific or generalized anxiety disorder causes.

Treatment

Social anxiety disorder causes people to feel anxiety disorder diagnosis and fear beyond the actual risk. For example they might be scared of being embarrassed or humiliated in public. These feelings cause them to avoid social situations, and in some instances, may lead to depression or other health problems. There are a variety of treatments available to treat 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 learn strategies to manage anxiety and alter negative thoughts patterns. Together, you and your therapist can increase your confidence to handle difficult situations. Typically 12 to 16 therapy sessions are necessary for this type of treatment.

Talking therapies are available either in person or via the internet. One of the most popular therapies is exposure therapy, which is where you gradually expose yourself to social situations that make you uncomfortable. You can teach your brain to accept that the situations may not be as dangerous as they appear.

There are a variety of medications that treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take weeks or months to begin working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibiters like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can reduce your anxiety. They can also ease your depressive symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medication, such as alprazolam and clonazepam may help relieve your symptoms. However they should only be used short-term.

When choosing a medication you and your doctor will need to consider the advantages and risks of each choice. Certain antidepressants can affect 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 the possibility that the medication might interfere with other medications or supplements you're taking, such as herbal remedies. In addition to assessing the medicines your doctor needs to know how severe your social anxiety is and how it impacts your daily life.

Self-help

Everyone feels nervous or uncomfortable in social situations sometimes however, those experiences are different than those who suffer from severe social anxiety disorder. For someone who has this disorder, it's more than only a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior making a speech in public or feeling anxious about meeting new friends; they have a constant fear that others will judge them or embarrass them in some way. Social anxiety can be so limiting that it can affect all aspects of life including home, work, and relationships. Fortunately, there is various self-help methods that can help people with this condition improve their lives.

Self-help can be described as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of therapy that assists people deal with anxiety and change the negative thoughts which trigger anxiety. CBT can be performed in a private session with a therapist or in a group, and it is often combined with medication. People suffering from social anxiety should also be able to participate in activities that help them feel happy. Exercise, for instance, can reduce stress and boost mood. Spending time with people who are positive is another way to help yourself. This might be hard for someone with social anxiety however it can be beneficial to surround yourself with people who love you and see your beauty, even if you may not see it yourself.

The act of taking on challenges is an effective way to reduce social anxiety, especially for those who have an innate competitive streak. It could be as easy as competing against yourself, for instance or trying to speak to each person at an event more times than you did the last time. Or, it could be as large as accepting an offer at work or going back to school to earn a degree in your field of interest.

Talk to your doctor if you haven't sought help for social anxiety. They can refer you to a mental healthcare professional who can offer assistance and guidance. Self-help options may include psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Medication does not cure social anxiety, but it does lessen the symptoms.

Medication

Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing anxiety or seasonal anxiety disorder that is affecting your daily activities or causing you to avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will conduct an examination to make sure that you do not have a separate medical anxiety disorder condition. If your doctor suspects that you suffer from social anxiety, they will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are many types of psychotherapy that can treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that teaches you new skills for dealing with anxiety, can help change your negative thoughts and emotions that cause it. CBT can be done alone or with a group of individuals in support groups. Another form of psychotherapy is exposure therapy. where a health professional guides you to face the things that cause you anxiety or discomfort, rather than avoiding 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 decrease anxiety. It can take several weeks before the medication begins working. Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin), may be prescribed for individuals suffering from social anxiety disorders. These drugs can decrease anxiety quickly and become habit-forming. They should only be employed in situations that are short-term or as needed.

There are a variety of other kinds of medications that can be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants, as well as a group of drugs known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will select the best medication for your needs based on your symptoms and any other health conditions or allergies that you have. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication supplements, vitamins, or supplements. Also discuss any possible adverse effects. Even even if you feel better it is crucial to take your medication exactly as prescribed. Stopping your medication suddenly could increase the chance of rebound.

Support groups

Support groups can help you understand how to manage and overcome your social anxiety. They provide a safe and nonjudgmental forum where you can talk about your issues with others who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve the quality of your life. You can find support groups in person or on the internet.

Before joining a support group, consider the structure and the membership requirements. For instance, some support groups are run by mental health professionals while others are self-help organizations with no professional guidance. Consider whether the group will be meeting regularly or if it will be more fluid. It is also important to consider how many members will be present and how much privacy you'll have.

A therapist or doctor asking for recommendations is the best way to locate a support group. You must also read reviews of various groups and seek feedback from people who have participated in the group. You can also use resources provided by ADAA which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a directory of community and online support groups in the United States, Canada and other countries.

Meeting with strangers can be a scary experience for people with social anxiety disorders, and the possibility of being in front of a large group of people can be overwhelming. If you're nervous about going to a meeting alone, consider asking a friend or family member to go with you for the first few meetings. Support groups can anxiety disorder cause high blood pressure be found on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website has audio and video calling discussions forums, as well as chat rooms.

A good support group can assist you in dealing with social anxiety by educating you that you're not the only one and helping you understand that the negative beliefs you think about yourself aren't accurate or true at all. It can also help you develop an optimistic attitude and the techniques to effectively deal with your social anxieties. However any advice you get from a support group should be treated with caution and should not be used to replace the recommended treatment plan of your healthcare provider.