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How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and may be a sign that you have social anxiety disorder.

The symptoms of social anxiety disorder typically include fear or distress in a majority of social and performance situations. The distress or fear is not proportional to the actual risk in the situation. The fears could be general or specific.

Treatment

Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel anxious and depressed 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 a few instances, can lead to depression or other health problems. There are a variety of treatments available to treat this disorder.

Psychotherapy and medications can help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. Psychotherapy (also called cognitive behavioral treatment) can help you develop coping techniques to manage anxiety and alter negative thinking patterns. Your therapist and you will collaborate to build your confidence, and then gradually confront the situations that cause you stress. This kind of treatment typically requires 12 to 16 sessions.

Talking therapies are available either in person or via the internet. One common therapy is called exposure therapy, where you gradually expose yourself to situations that cause you to feel uncomfortable. Through this you can show your brain that the situations aren't as dangerous as they may appear.

There are several types of medications used to treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take weeks or months to start working. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help reduce the severity of your anxiety. They may 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 aid in relieving your symptoms. However they should only be used for short periods of time.

When choosing a medication, you and your physician will need to evaluate the benefits and potential risks of each option. Certain antidepressants can affect your sleep, while others may increase your risk of suicide. Consider the possibility of taking an antidepressant with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you should also consider whether the medicine might interact with other medications or supplements you're taking, for example, herbal remedies. Your doctor will also need to be aware of how severe your social phobia is and how it impacts your daily life.

Self-help

Everyone is nervous or uncomfortable when they are in social situations however, those emotions are different from those who suffer from severe social anxiety disorder. For someone who has this condition, it's not just a matter of having butterflies in the stomach prior to making a speech in public or being nervous about making new acquaintances; they are also plagued by a constant fear that others will judge them or embarrass them in some way. Social anxiety disorders can be so limiting that it can impact all aspects of life, including home, work, and relationships. There are a myriad of self-help strategies available to help people with social anxiety disorder improve their quality of life.

Self-help may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists people understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT is done in a group or with a counselor, and is typically mixed with other medications. Social anxiety sufferers should also be involved in activities that they like. Exercise, for instance can ease anxiety and improve mood. Spending time with people who are positive is a different self-help method. This may be difficult for someone who is anxious about social situations However, it can be beneficial if you surround yourself with people who cherish you and appreciate your beauty even though you may not be able to see it yourself.

It is possible to conquer social anxiety by tackling challenges, especially if you are competitive. It could be as easy as competing against yourself, for instance, trying to talk to everyone at an event more times than you did last time. It could also be as simple as accepting an offer at work or returning to school to earn a degree in your area of interest.

If you haven't had treatment for your anxiety about social situations, start by talking to your general practitioner. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who can give you advice and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medication does not cure social anxiety but it can help reduce the symptoms.

Medication

If you are experiencing anxiety and fear that affects your daily life, or makes you avoid certain situations or big life changes, talk to a health care provider. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will conduct an examination to make sure that you don't have a separate medical condition. If your doctor suspects that you have social anxiety, they will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are panic anxiety disorder of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching you new skills to manage anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and emotions that trigger anxiety. CBT can be performed by yourself or in a group of people in support groups. Another type of psychotherapy is called exposure therapy, in which a healthcare professional helps you gradually face the things that cause 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 improve your mood and reduce anxiety. It may take a few weeks before the medication begins working. Certain people suffering from social anxiety disorder may also benefit from benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These drugs are effective in helping reduce anxiety, and they can also be habit-forming, and are usually only prescribed for short durations or in specific situations, like before giving speech.

There are many other types of medicines that be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants, as well as a group of drugs referred to as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will choose the appropriate medication for you based on your symptoms and any other health issues or allergies you suffer from. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you take and discuss any adverse effects that may occur. Even even if you feel better it is essential to follow the medication as prescribed. Stopping your medication suddenly could increase the chance of suffering a relapse.

Support groups

Support groups can help you learn to cope and overcome your social anxiety. They offer an open and safe environment where you can discuss your struggles with people who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve your quality of life. Support groups can be found in person or online.

Consider the group's structure and the membership requirements prior to joining. For example, some groups are run by mental health professionals and others are self-help organizations with no professional guidance. You should consider whether the group will be meeting regularly or if it will operate more fluidly. You may also want to consider how many people will be in attendance and the amount of 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 about different groups and ask for feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also consult the resources offered by ADAA which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a list for online and community support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.

Meeting with strangers can be a scary experience for those suffering from social anxiety disorders, and the thought of sitting in front of a large group of people can feel overwhelming. If you're worried about attending a gathering with a stranger, think about asking someone from your family or a friend to accompany you for the first few meetings. Support groups can 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 help you deal with social anxiety by teaching you that you're not the only one and helping you understand that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't true or true at all. It can also help you develop a more positive attitude and develop skills to deal with your social anxiety. However any advice you get from a support group should be treated with caution and should not replace the treatment plan recommended by your physician.

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Pub: 12 May 2024 14:18 UTC
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