15 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Ignoring Anxiety Disorder
How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder Many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and may be an indication that you have social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder is defined by anxiety or distress when faced with situations in which people are performing or social. The distress or fear is not proportional to the risk involved in the situation. The fear can be generalized or specific. Treatment People suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and stress that is not proportional to the actual danger like being embarrassed or humiliated in public. These fears can cause a fear of or avoidance of social situations and, in some instances depression or other health issues. There are many treatment options available for this condition. Psychotherapy and medications can help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. Psychotherapy, also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help you develop ways to manage your anxiety and change negative thinking patterns. Together with your therapist, you can help you build confidence to tackle stressful situations. This type of therapy typically will require between 12 and 16 sessions. Therapy for talking is available in person or via the internet. Exposure therapy is a popular method of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself social situations which cause you to feel uncomfortable. In this way, you can teach your brain that the situations aren't as hazardous as they seem. There are a variety of medication used to treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take weeks or months to get started. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibiters like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can 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 like alprazolam and clonazepam can also help relieve your symptoms. However, they should only be used for short periods of time. When choosing a medication you and your physician will need to weigh the benefits and risks of each choice. Some antidepressants can interfere with your ability to sleep, and some can increase your risk of suicide. If you are considering taking an antidepressant, talk about it with your therapist or psychologist. You and your therapist can also consider whether the medication may interact with other supplements or drugs you are 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 Social anxiety disorder is a terribly type of anxiety that can be extremely uncomfortable. For someone who has this disorder, it's not just a matter of having butterflies in the stomach before giving a speech in public or getting nervous about meeting new acquaintances; they are also plagued by the constant fear that others will judge them or embarrass them in some way. Social anxiety disorder is so debilitating that it affects every aspect of life including work or relationships, as well as at home. There are a myriad of self-help strategies available to help people with social anxiety disorder improve their quality of life. Self-help can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which aids people to understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be done in a group or with a counselor, and is typically combined with medication. People who suffer from social anxiety should also participate in activities they like. Exercise, for instance can ease stress and boost mood. Spending time with positive people is a different self-help method. It can be difficult for someone with social anxieties to be around positive people. In addition, taking on challenges can be an effective way to combat social anxiety, especially for those with a competitive nature. It could be as easy as an exercise in competition with yourself. For example try to talk to everyone at a party more than you did the last time. It could be as easy as battling yourself, for instance, trying to talk to everyone at a dinner party longer than you did last time. If you haven't sought treatment for your anxiety about social situations begin by speaking to your doctor. They can refer you to a mental health professional who can give you guidance and assistance. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medication is not the only solution to anxiety-related social issues, but it can help lessen the symptoms and reduce the severity of anxiety. Medication Consult your physician when you're experiencing anxiety or anxiety that is affecting your daily activities, or making you avoid certain situations, or making you avoid major life changes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical exam to make sure that you don't have an unrelated medical issue. If your doctor suspects that you are suffering from social anxiety, he will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are many types of psychotherapy that can help treat social anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you develop new strategies to tackle your anxiety and help you change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be done alone or in a group of people in support groups. Exposure therapy is a different type of psychotherapy, where medical professionals help the patient confront issues that cause anxiety and discomfort rather than abstaining from 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 cause changes in your brain that improve your mood and decrease anxiety. It can take several weeks for the medication to begin working. Some people with 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 habit-forming, and are typically only prescribed for short durations or in certain situations, such as before giving speech. There are also other medications that can be used to combat social anxiety. These include tricyclic antidepressants, and the class known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the right medication for you based on the symptoms you experience and any other health conditions or allergies you may have. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other supplements or medications you're taking and discuss any adverse consequences that could arise. Even even if you feel better it is crucial to follow the medication as prescribed. Stopping your medication abruptly can increase the chance of a relapse. Support groups If you're a social anxiety sufferer, support groups can help you overcome your anxieties and learn to cope with your condition. These groups offer a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can talk about your issues with others who suffer from the same issue. You can also learn to manage your emotions and improve your life quality. Support groups are available in person or on the internet. Before joining a support group, you should consider its structure and the membership requirements. For example, some groups are supervised by mental health professionals, while others are self-help organizations with no professional guidance. It is also important to consider whether the group will be regularly scheduled to meet or if it will operate on a more flexible basis. You might consider the number of people who will be there and the level of privacy they'll have. Asking your therapist or doctor for recommendations is the best way to locate an organization that can help you. You must also read reviews of different groups and ask for feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also utilize the resources provided by ADAA, 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. Social anxiety disorder can make meeting strangers a terrifying experience. The thought of standing in front of other people could be intimidating. If you're worried about attending a gathering by yourself, you might want to ask someone from your family or a friend to go with you for the first few meetings. There are support groups on websites like Support Groups Central. This website provides audio and video calling as well as discussion forums and chat rooms. A good support group can help you cope with your social anxiety by showing you that you're not the only one and helping you realize that the negative thoughts you have about yourself aren't real or accurate. It can also help develop a positive attitude and techniques to effectively deal with your social anxieties. However any advice you receive from a support organization should be taken with care and should not be a substitute for the treatment plan suggested by your doctor.