14 Misconceptions Commonly Held About Anxiety Disorder
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 have social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorders typically include fear or distress in the majority of social and performance situations. The fear or distress is not proportional to the actual risk in the situation. The fear could be specific or generalized.
Treatment
People suffering from social anxiety disorder are afflicted with intense anxiety and fear that is not proportional to the actual danger, such as being shamed or humiliated in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations and, in some instances, may lead to depression or other health problems. Luckily, there are many treatment options for this disorder.
Psychotherapy and medications can help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy (also called cognitive behavioral treatment) can aid in developing coping strategies to manage anxiety and change negative thinking patterns. You and your therapist will collaborate to build your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause you stress. This type of treatment usually takes between 12 and 16 sessions.
Online or in person, you can access talking therapies. One common therapy is called exposure therapy, where you gradually expose yourself to social situations that cause you to feel uncomfortable. You can train your brain to accept that these situations might not be as dangerous as it seems.
There are many types of medication used to treat social anxiety disorders however, they may take a few weeks or even months to get started. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can help you reduce your anxiety. They can also help with your depressive symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medications such as alprazolam and clonazepam can also help alleviate your symptoms. However, they should only be used in short-term doses.
Your doctor and you should consider the risks and benefits of each medication before deciding one. Certain antidepressants can affect your ability to sleep and others can increase the risk of suicide. If you are considering using an antidepressant in the future, you should discuss it with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you can also consider whether the medication might interact with other supplements or drugs you are taking, like herbal remedies. In addition to looking into the medication your doctor will also need to know the extent to which your social anxiety is and how it impacts your daily life.
Self-help
Everyone feels nervous or uncomfortable when they are in social situations however, those emotions are different from those who suffer from severe social anxiety disorder. The condition goes beyond just feeling nervous before giving a speech in public or feeling nervous when meeting new people. It's an ongoing fear of being considered a victim or being embarrassed in some way. Social anxiety can be so limiting that it can affect every aspect of life, including home, work, and relationships. There are a myriad of self-help strategies available to help sufferers of social anxiety disorder improve their quality.
Self-help may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which aids people to understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety. CBT can be performed in a private session with a therapist or in a group, and is often paired with medication. People with social anxiety should also be involved in activities they like. Exercise, for example can ease stress and boost mood. Another self-help technique is to be around positive people. It can be challenging for someone who is anxious about social situations to be around positive people.
The act of taking on challenges is an effective way to reduce social anxiety, particularly for those with an innate competitive streak. It could be as easy as competing against yourself, for instance or trying to speak to each person at the dinner party more often than you did last time. Or, it could be as big as accepting an offer at work or returning to school to earn the degree you want in the field you are interested in.
Speak to your general practitioner in the event that you haven't yet sought help for social anxiety. They may refer you to a mental health professional who can give you guidance and assistance. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medication does not cure social anxiety but it can lessen the symptoms.
Medication
Talk to your doctor when you're experiencing anxiety or fear that is interfering with 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 confirm that you don't have a separate medical condition. If your doctor suspects you suffer from social anxiety, he will refer you to a specialist in mental health. There are many kinds of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you new strategies to manage anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and emotions that trigger it. CBT can either be done on your own or in the form of a group. Exposure therapy is a different type of psychotherapy where a healthcare professional helps patients confront things that make them feel anxious and uncomfortable rather than avoiding or 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 can cause changes in the brain that improve your mood and reduce anxiety. It may take several weeks before the medication starts working. Certain people suffering from social anxiety disorders may also benefit from benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These drugs can reduce anxiety quickly and can become habit-forming. They should only be employed in situations that are short-term or on demand.
There are other medications that can be used to treat social anxiety. These include tricyclic antidepressants, as well as a class called monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will select the best medication for you, depending on your symptoms and other health issues. Be sure to inform your doctor about any other medications or supplements you're taking, and discuss any side effects that could occur. It is important to keep taking your medication as prescribed even if you're feeling better. If you stop taking your medication suddenly, it could increase the chance of relapse.
Support groups
Support groups can help you learn to cope and overcome your social anxiety. These groups offer a safe and non-judgmental space where you can talk about your concerns with others who suffer from the same disorder. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve the quality of your life. Support groups are available in person or online.
Be aware of the group's structure and membership requirements before joining. Some groups are led professionally by mental health professionals while others are self-help group with no professional guidance. You should also consider whether the group will be regularly scheduled to meet or if it will operate on a more flexible basis. You might also want to consider how many people will be present and how much privacy you'll enjoy.
The best way to choose the right support group is to seek recommendations from your therapist or doctor. You should also read reviews of various groups and ask for feedback from those who have participated in the group. You can also use resources provided by ADAA, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a directory of online and community support groups in the United States, Canada and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be a scary experience for people with social anxiety disorder, and the thought of sitting in front of a group of people can feel overwhelming. If you're nervous about attending a meeting by yourself, you might want to ask a friend or family member to accompany you for the first few meetings. You can find support groups on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website offers video and audio calling as well as discussion forums and a chat room.
A supportive group can assist you in dealing with your social anxiety by showing you that you're not alone and assisting you to realize that the negative thoughts you have about yourself aren't real or distorted. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the skills to deal effectively with your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should only be used with caution and should not be a substitute for the treatment recommendations of your healthcare provider. plan.