How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people are nervous or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and could be a sign that you have social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is characterised by anxiety or distress when faced with situations in which people are performing or social. The fear or distress is out of proportion to the actual risk in the situation. The fears can be either general or specific.

Treatment

People suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and stress that is insignificant to the actual risk that they face, for example, feeling shamed or humiliated in public. These emotions can lead to a avoiding of social situations, and in some cases, depression or other health issues. Luckily, there are many treatments for this condition.

Medications and psychotherapy can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy (also referred to as cognitive behavior treatment) can help you develop coping techniques to manage anxiety and change negative thinking patterns. You and your therapist will work together to increase your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause stress. This kind of treatment typically takes between 12 and 16 sessions.

Talking therapies are available either in person or online. One of the most popular therapies is 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 they seem.

It could take several weeks or even months before medications begin to work. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can reduce the intensity of your anxiety. They can also help relieve 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, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) can also help in reducing your symptoms, but they should only be used short-term.

Your doctor and you should evaluate the risks and advantages of each medication before choosing one. Certain antidepressants can affect your sleep, while others may increase your suicide risk. If you're thinking of 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 medicine could interact with any other drugs or supplements you are taking, for example, herbal remedies. Your doctor will also need to know how severe your social anxiety is and how it affects your daily life.

Self-help

Social anxiety disorder is a serious type of anxiety that can be extremely uncomfortable. This condition is more than just feeling nervous before giving an address in public or being nervous when meeting new people. It's an ongoing anxiety about being humiliated or judged in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating it can affect every aspect of life including work, relationships, and home. There are, however, various self-help methods that can help those suffering from this condition improve their lives.

Self-help may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals understand their anxiety and change the negative thoughts that trigger anxiety eating disorder. CBT can be performed individually with a therapist or in a group and it is often combined with medication. People who suffer from social anxiety should also participate in activities that they like. Exercise, for example can help reduce stress and boost mood. Another way to improve your self-esteem is to be around positive people. It can be challenging for someone who has social anxiety to be around positive people.

It is possible to overcome social anxiety by tackling tasks, particularly if are competitive. It could be as easy as competing with yourself, for instance trying to talk to everyone at an event more times than you did the last time. It could also be as big as accepting an offer at work or going back to school to earn a degree in your field of interest.

If you haven't yet sought treatment for your social anxiety, start by talking to your doctor. They can refer you to a mental healthcare professional who can provide assistance and guidance. Self-help options may include psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Medication is not the only solution to social anxiety, but it can help alleviate symptoms and decrease the intensity of your anxiety.

Medication

If you experience anxiety and fear that affects your daily life, or causes you to avoid certain situations or major life changes, talk to a health care provider. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform an examination to make sure that you don't have a separate medical condition. If your doctor suspects that you have social anxiety disorder, he or she will refer you to a mental health professional. There are many kinds of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help treat social anxiety disorders test.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn new techniques to manage anxiety and assist you to change the negative thoughts that trigger it. CBT can be performed by yourself or as part of an organization that supports you. Exposure therapy is another type of psychotherapy in which medical professionals help the patient confront issues that create anxiety and discomfort rather than avoid 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 signal changes in your brain that boost your mood and decrease anxiety. It may take a few weeks for the medication to begin working. Certain people suffering from social anxiety disorder may also benefit from benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These drugs work quickly to reduce anxiety, and they can also be addictive, which is why they are usually only used for short durations or in specific situations, like before giving an address.

There are other medications that can be used to treat social high functioning anxiety disorder. These include tricyclic antidepressants, as well as the class of medications known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the most appropriate medication for you, based on symptoms and other health issues. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, supplements or vitamins. Also discuss any potential adverse effects. It is important to continue taking your medication as prescribed 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. They offer an unprejudiced and safe space where you can discuss your struggles with people with the same issue. You can also learn to manage your emotions and improve the quality of your life. Support groups are available in person or on the internet.

Before joining a support group, you should consider the structure of the group and its the membership requirements. For example, some groups are run by mental health professionals while 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 fluid basis. You might want to think about the number of people who will be there and how much privacy they'll enjoy.

Asking your doctor or therapist for suggestions is the best method 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 make use of the resources offered by ADAA (the anxiety disorder Treatments at Home and Depression Association of America). They have a list of community and online support groups in the United States, Canada and other countries.

Meeting with strangers can be a scary experience for those suffering from social anxiety disorder, and the idea of being in front of a group of people can be overwhelming. If you're concerned about attending a gathering by yourself, you might want to ask a friend or family member to accompany you for the first few meetings. You can also find support groups through websites such as Support Groups Central, which provides audio and video calls, discussion forums chat rooms, and discussion forums.

A supportive group can help you deal with your social anxiety by educating you that you're not alone and helping you understand that the negative beliefs you think about yourself aren't true or distorted. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the techniques to effectively deal with your social anxieties. However, any advice you receive from a support group must be used with caution and should not be a substitute for the treatment plan suggested by your physician.