How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people feel nervous or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and could be an indication that you have social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorders usually involve fear or distress in a majority of social and performance situations. The fear or distress in a situation is not out of proportion to the actual risk. The fears can either be specific or generalized.

Treatment

Social anxiety sufferers feel intense fear and distress that is out of proportion to the actual risk that they face, for example, feeling shamed or humiliated in public. These feelings cause them to avoid social situations and, in a few cases, can develop into depression or other health problems. There are a variety of treatments available to treat this condition.

Medications and psychotherapy can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn ways to manage your anxiety and change negative thoughts patterns. Together with your therapist, you can build your confidence to tackle stressful situations. Typically 12 to 16 therapy sessions are needed to receive this kind of treatment.

Therapy for talking is available in person or via the internet. A common type of therapy is exposure therapy, in which you gradually expose yourself to situations that cause you to feel uncomfortable. You can teach your brain to accept that the situation might not be as hazardous as it seems.

It could take several weeks or even months for medications to start working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibiters like fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine can help you reduce your anxiety. They may also help the symptoms of depression. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety drugs, like alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin), can also help to reduce your symptoms, but should only be used short-term.

When choosing a medication you and your physician will have to consider the advantages and risks of each choice. Some antidepressants may interfere with your sleeping patterns, while others could increase the risk of suicide. If you're thinking of taking an antidepressant, discuss it with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you should also consider whether the medication may interact with other medications or supplements you're taking, for example, herbal remedies. Your doctor also needs to be aware of how to Cope with anxiety disorder without medication serious your social phobia is and how it affects your daily life.

Self-help

Social anxiety disorder is a severe form of anxiety that can make you very uncomfortable. For those suffering from this disorder, it's not only a matter of feeling 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 shame them in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating it can affect every aspect of life, including work or relationships, as well as at home. There are a variety of self-help methods that can help those suffering from social anxiety disorder improve their lives.

Self-help may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists people understand their anxiety and learn to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety disorders resources. CBT can be conducted in a group or individually with a counselor, and is typically combined with medication. People with social anxiety should also participate in activities that they like. Exercise, for example can ease stress and boost mood. Another method to help yourself is to spend time with positive people. It can be challenging for someone who is anxious about social situations to be around positive people.

It is possible to conquer social anxiety by tackling the challenges, particularly if you are competitive. It could be as simple as a competition with yourself. For example, try to talk to everyone at a party more than you did the last time. Or, it could be as large as accepting a promotion at work or returning to school to earn a degree in the field you are interested in.

If you haven't yet sought treatment for your anxiety about social situations, start by talking to your doctor. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who can provide guidance and support. Self-help options may include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. Medication isn't the only solution to social anxiety however, it can alleviate symptoms and decrease the intensity of your anxiety.

Medication

Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing anxiety or fear that is interfering with your daily activities, or making you avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and perform a physical examination to ensure that you don't have a separate medical condition. If your doctor suspects that you are suffering from social anxiety, he will refer you to a specialist in mental health. There are a variety of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can help treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching you new strategies for managing anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and emotions that are the cause of anxiety. CBT can be done alone or in a group of people in support groups. Exposure therapy is another type of psychotherapy, where the healthcare professional assists patients confront things that cause anxiety and discomfort instead of avoiding or absconding from 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 your brain that improve mood and decrease separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults. It can take some time before the medication starts working. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin) can also be prescribed to people with social anxiety disorders. These drugs can reduce anxiety quickly and can become habit-forming. They are, therefore, only employed in situations that are short-term or on demand.

There are a variety of other kinds of drugs that can be used to help with social anxiety, such as tricyclic antidepressants, as well as a group of drugs known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the best medication for your needs based on your symptoms and any other health issues or allergies that you have. Be sure to inform your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are taking and discuss any adverse consequences that could arise. It is crucial to continue taking your medication as prescribed even if you're feeling better. Suddenly stopping your medication increases the likelihood of 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. They offer an unprejudiced and safe space in which you can discuss your issues with others with the same issue. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve the quality of your life. Support groups can be found in person or on the internet.

Consider the group's structure and membership requirements prior to joining. Some groups are run professionally by mental health professionals while others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. You should consider whether the group will be meeting regularly or if it will operate more fluidly. You might consider the number of people there and how much privacy they'll enjoy.

Asking your doctor or therapist for recommendations is the best way to locate a support group. You should also read reviews of different types of anxiety disorders groups and ask for feedback from those who have participated in the group. You can also make use of the resources provided by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have a list of community and online support groups across the United States, Canada and other countries.

Social anxiety disorders can make meeting strangers an intimidating experience. The thought of standing in front of people can be a bit overwhelming. Ask a friend or a family member to accompany you to the first few meetings if you're worried about attending alone. You can also find support groups on websites such as Support Groups Central, which provides audio and video calls, discussion forums and chat rooms.

A supportive group can assist you in overcoming your social anxiety. It will help you understand that you're not the only one and help you realize that your negative thoughts about yourself aren't true or accurate. It can help you develop a more positive outlook and build strategies to manage your social anxiety. However any advice you receive from a support group must be treated with caution and should not be a substitute for the treatment plan recommended by your physician.