How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and may be an indication that you suffer from social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by anxiety or distress when confronted by performance or social situations. The anxiety or fear is out of proportion to the risk involved in the situation. The fear can be specific or generalized.
Treatment
Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel fear and distress beyond the actual risk. For example they may be afraid of being humiliated or embarrassed in public. These feelings cause them to avoid social situations and, in some cases, can develop into depression or other health problems. There are many treatment options available to treat this problem.
Medications and psychotherapy can help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you develop ways to manage your anxiety and alter negative thoughts patterns. Together, you and your therapist can build your confidence to face stressful situations. This kind of treatment typically takes between 12 and 16 sessions.
Talking therapies are available either in person or via the internet. One common therapy is called exposure therapy, which is where you gradually expose yourself to situations that make you uncomfortable. You can help your brain accept that these situations might not be as risky as they appear.
It can take months or even weeks for medication to begin working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can help you 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 drugs, like alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) can also be helpful in relieving your symptoms, but should only be used short-term.
When choosing a medication, you and your physician must consider the advantages and risks of each option. Certain antidepressants can interfere with your sleep, while others may increase your risk of suicide. Discuss the possibility of using an antidepressant with your counselor or psychologist. Your therapist and you can also consider whether the medication could interact with any other medications or supplements you are taking, such as herbal remedies. In addition to assessing the medications, your doctor will need to know how severe your social anxiety is and how it impacts your daily life.
Self-help
Social anxiety disorder is a serious form of anxiety that can make you extremely uncomfortable. For those suffering from this disorder, it's more than just a matter of having butterflies in the stomach before making a speech in public or feeling anxious about meeting new friends; they have a constant fear that others might judge them or humiliate them in some way. Social anxiety can be so debilitating that it can affect all aspects of life including home, work, and relationships. There are, however, many self-help strategies that can help those suffering from this condition improve their quality of life.
Self-help is a form of therapy that includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a form of therapy that helps people to understand anxiety and alter the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety. CBT can be performed by a therapist on an individual basis or in a group, and is often combined with medication. People who suffer from social anxiety should also be involved in activities that they enjoy. mixed anxiety and depressive disorder , for example can help reduce stress and improve mood. Spending time with positive people is another way to help yourself. It can be challenging for someone who has social anxiety to surround themselves with positive people.
In addition, taking on challenges can be an effective way to reduce social anxiety, especially for those who have a competitive nature. It could be as easy as competing against yourself, for example trying to talk to each person at the dinner party more often than you did last time. It could be as easy as battling yourself, for example trying to speak to each person at a dinner party more than you did last time.
If you haven't had treatment for your social anxiety, start by talking to your physician. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who can provide guidance and support. Self-help options can include psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Medication does not cure social anxiety, but it does reduce the symptoms.
Medication
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily routine or causing you to avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and conduct an examination to make sure that you do not suffer from a medical condition that is distinct. If your doctor suspects you are suffering from social anxiety, they will refer you to an expert 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) can help you develop new strategies to tackle anxiety and assist you to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be conducted by yourself or in a group of people in support groups. Another type of psychotherapy is exposure therapy, in which a healthcare professional assists you in overcoming the things that cause you anxiety or discomfort, rather than 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 decrease anxiety. It could take several weeks before the medications begin working. Certain people suffering from social anxiety disorder might also benefit from benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These drugs work quickly to reduce anxiety and are habit-forming, so they are usually only prescribed for short durations or in certain situations, such as before giving speech.
There are other medications that can be used to treat social anxiety. These include tricyclic antidepressants and the class of medications known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will choose the best medication for you based on the symptoms you experience and any other health issues or allergies you suffer from. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medications supplements, vitamins, or supplements. Also discuss any possible adverse reactions. It is important to keep taking your medication according to the prescription even if feeling better. Stopping your medication suddenly can increase the chance of having a Relapse.
Support groups
Support groups can help you understand how to cope and overcome your social anxiety. These groups offer a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere in which you can discuss your issues with other people who suffer from the same issue. 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 membership requirements. Some groups are led professionally by mental health professionals while others are self-help group with no professional guidance. You should also think about whether the group will meet regularly or if it will operate on a more fluid basis. You might want to think about the number of people there and how much privacy they'll enjoy.
The best method of choosing the right support group is to request recommendations from your doctor or therapist. You should also read reviews of various groups and ask for feedback from people who have been in the group. You can also use resources provided by ADAA, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They provide an extensive list of online and community support groups for anxiety disorders in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be a frightening experience for people suffering from social anxiety disorder, and the thought of sitting in front of a crowd of people can feel overwhelming. Consider asking a friend or family member to accompany you to the initial meetings if you are worried about going to meetings on your own. You can also find support groups via a website like Support Groups Central, which offers video and audio calls, discussion forums chat rooms and discussion forums.
A good support group can help you cope with your social anxiety by showing you that you're not the only one and assisting you to realize that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't true or true at all. It can also help you develop a positive attitude and techniques to effectively deal with your social anxieties. However any advice you receive from a support group must be taken with care and should not replace the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.