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What is Social Anxiety Disorder? While we all get anxious or uncomfortable in certain social situations, people with social anxiety disorders experience extreme anxiety and fear that interferes with their daily lives. It affects their relationships and careers. It can also result in depression and alcohol abuse. Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy as well as medication, role-playing, and social skills training. The medications can include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers. Signs and symptoms Social anxiety disorder makes people feel intense fear or distress in situations where they fear people will observe their actions and judge them negatively. This can include situations like meeting new people, eating and drinking in public, or giving speeches. The person might avoid the situation they fear or endure it with intense anxiety and distress. These emotions are out of proportion to the actual risk or embarrassment. They can also lead to major disruptions to everyday life and disrupt relationships. People suffering from this condition have a lower likelihood of having close friends, finding a job, or maintaining intimate relationships. They also are at a greater risk of depression and substance abuse. The condition may cause sweating, blushing or shaking. The patient may be unable to make eye contact or communicate clearly. He or she may tremble while talking on the phone or writing, and struggle to maintain a job due to poor performance in interviews or meetings. In the most severe cases, symptoms of this disorder can cause the sufferer to develop additional anxiety disorders or major depression disorder, and to have suicidal thoughts. In these instances, treatment is usually more intensive and should be guided by an expert in mental health who has expertise in managing these disorders. Certain kinds of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful to in treating social anxiety. CBT aims to change negative thoughts or beliefs that cause the disorder. It also teaches the person to face the situations that trigger anxiety slowly, with the assistance of a therapist, and in a safe environment. Another type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response prevention or cognitive delivered exposure, can be used to assist people suffering from extreme social anxiety disorder. It is common to use medication alongside psychological treatments to ease symptoms of this disorder. These medications can alleviate the embarrassing and uncomfortable symptoms of this disorder. The treatment for this disorder is typically with selective serotonin reuptake inhibits such as paroxetine, sertraline or Venlafaxine. Beta blockers and other antidepressants can also be helpful. Diagnosis Nearly everyone experiences some level of anxiety in certain social situations. For example, when making new acquaintances, going out on a date or performing. If panic anxiety disorder is so overwhelming that it impacts your daily life, you may need to be diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. Also known as social phobia, the condition is not rooted in a person's personality or the environment. It is different from shyness. It is a persistent real illness that requires treatment. A doctor can usually diagnose the condition through a conversation with the patient and performing an examination. The therapist can then recommend psychotherapy (sometimes called talk therapy) or medication to help alleviate symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that can help to manage anxiety. This method helps people to recognize and alter negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that trigger the anxiety. It can help a person learn how to handle stressful situations, for example, by using relaxation techniques and calming breathing. It could also involve exposure therapy, which entails gradually preparing for social situations that a person is afraid of with the help of a therapist in a safe environment. Many people with social anxiety disorder get relief by taking prescription medications, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medicines. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft), have been used to treat social anxiety disorder. However, other medications could be equally efficient. Sometimes, it takes several attempts to determine the most appropriate treatment for a particular person. Research has proven that a combination therapy is the most effective. This could include CBT and exposure therapy, or other types of psychological treatment like interpersonal therapy. It is important that people seek treatment for anxiety as the condition can cause depression and addictions such as alcohol or drugs. It can also lead to issues at school or at work and lead to isolation. Art therapy, for example, can be beneficial to certain people suffering from social anxiety. This helps people express their feelings through drawing, painting, or other creative activities. It has been proven to decrease the severity of symptoms of anxiety in some cases. Treatment Many people are nervous in certain social situations, such as making new acquaintances or giving a presentation. If the anxiety and fear persist, it can develop into a mental disorder called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It's more than just shyness, and requires treatment to overcome. Treatment with psychotherapy or medication, or both are possible treatment options. A medical professional, such as counselor or doctor, can often provide an assessment. They will examine to see if any physical problems are causing your symptoms. They will then recommend you to a mental health professional for help, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of psychotherapy used to treat social anxiety disorder. In CBT, a trained therapist or counselor helps you challenge negative thinking patterns and learn better ways to cope with stressful situations. Additionally, you can practice relaxation techniques and learn to confront your fears in small steps. CBT is usually spread over several sessions. You may be asked to complete homework between sessions. Antidepressants are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and they can be effective for some people with social anxiety disorder s. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are often prescribed for this condition, as well as the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). These drugs typically take a few weeks before you feel the effects, and they may cause adverse effects like headache or insomnia. Medications that block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, including beta-blockers are also available and may aid in reducing some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, like rapid blood pressure and heart rate as well as sweating and shaking of the limbs and voice. These medications can be addictive and sedating. Therefore, doctors don't usually prescribe them to treat social anxiety. Research shows that children with social anxiety might be able to overcome it as they grow up, but if the disorder is left untreated it could cause serious depression and other mental health issues. If your child has severe social anxiety talk to your GP regarding treatment options. Prevention It's normal to be anxious or nervous in certain social situations, like meeting new people, or giving an oral presentation, this feeling can become a disorder when it affects daily activities and causes stress. It is more than shyness and it can affect your self-esteem, relationships, and even your school or work performance. It is essential to seek treatment if you're struggling with this disorder. There are numerous ways to get help, including therapy, medication, as well as support groups. People who suffer from social anxiety typically recognize that their fears are irrational and exaggerated, but they are unable to overcome them. They might avoid social interactions and may miss out on opportunities for education, employment and friendships. They also are at greater risk for depression or abuse of substances. Talk therapy and stress management techniques like mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises are often employed to help with social anxiety. A therapist can help you challenge the negative, unhelpful thoughts that cause your social anxiety. They can then replace these thoughts with more positive ones. They can also use the role-playing technique, social skills training and other cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to help you to gradually confront the situations that cause you anxiety in a safe setting. Certain of the symptoms associated with social anxiety can be addressed by medication, such as heart palpitations and excessive sweating. Patients suffering from this condition must always discuss possible adverse reactions with their physicians prior to starting any medication. Some mental health professionals recommend abstaining from substances such as alcohol, caffeine or other substances that may increase the severity of your symptoms. They may recommend that you sleep well and eat a balanced diet. They might also suggest to go for walks in the nature, which can have a calming effect and help you to focus on the beauty around you. Finding help for social anxiety is quite common and there are numerous treatment options available. Whether you're seeking treatment or medication, it is important to start treatment early to ensure that your symptoms don't spiral out of control and prevent you from living the life you desire. BetterHelp can connect you with an accredited and licensed counselor to help you manage your feelings.