20 Fun Infographics About Anxiety Disorder

How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. If these feelings become overwhelming, it may be a sign of social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is characterised by fear or distress when confronted with performance or social situations. The anxiety or fear is out of proportion to the risk involved in the situation. The fear can be specific or generalized.

Treatment

Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel fear and distress beyond the actual risk. For example they might be scared of being humiliated or embarrassed in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations and, in some instances, may lead to depression or other health problems. There are a variety of treatments available for this condition.

Psychotherapy and medication can ease symptoms and improve your quality of life. Psychotherapy (also referred to as cognitive behavior treatment) can help you develop coping skills to manage anxiety and alter negative thinking patterns. Together, you and your therapist can build your confidence to face stressful situations. This type of treatment usually will require between 12 and 16 sessions.

Online or in person, you can access talking therapies. Exposure therapy is a common type of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself situations that cause you to feel uncomfortable. You can help your brain accept that the situation might not be as dangerous as they seem.

It can take several weeks or even months for medication to begin working. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help reduce the severity of 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.  generalized anxiety disorder , such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), can also help in reducing your symptoms, but should only be used for short-term use.

When deciding on a medication, you and your physician must weigh the benefits and dangers of each. Certain antidepressants can affect your ability to sleep and some can 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 medication could interact with any other supplements or drugs you are taking, such as herbal remedies. In addition to looking into the medicines your doctor will also need to determine the extent to which your social anxiety is and how it affects your daily life.

Self-help

Everyone feels nervous or uncomfortable in social situations at times, but those feelings are different from those of people who have severe social anxiety disorder. For those suffering from this condition, it's not just a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior giving a speech in public or feeling anxious about meeting new people; they also have an unending fear that people will judge them or shame them in some way. Social anxiety disorder is such a debilitating condition that it can affect all aspects of life, including work and relationships as well as home. Fortunately, there is many self-help strategies that can help those suffering from this condition improve their quality of life.

Self-help can be described as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people understand anxiety and change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be conducted in a group or individually with a counselor, and is typically combined with medication. Social anxiety sufferers should also consider engaging in activities that boost their mood. Exercise, for instance can ease anxiety and improve mood. Spending time with people who are positive is another way to help yourself. This may be difficult for someone with social anxiety, but it can be beneficial to surround yourself with people who love you and see your beauty even though you might not be able to see it yourself.

Taking on challenges is also a way to overcome social anxiety, particularly for those who have a competitive nature. It could be as simple as a competition with yourself. For instance try to talk to every person at a party more than you did the previous time. Or, it could be as large as accepting a promotion at work or going back to school to earn a degree in your field of interest.

If you haven't had treatment for your anxiety about social situations, start by talking to your doctor. They can refer you to a mental health professional who can give you advice and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medication isn't the only solution to anxiety-related social issues however it can alleviate symptoms and decrease the severity of anxiety.

Medication

Consult your physician when you're experiencing anxiety or fear that is interfering with your daily routine, or making you avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, and will conduct a physical exam to ensure that you don't have an unrelated medical issue. If your doctor suspects that you have social anxiety disorder, he or she will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are a variety of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can be used to treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching you new techniques to manage anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and emotions that trigger it. CBT can be conducted by yourself or with a group of individuals in support groups. Exposure therapy is a different type of psychotherapy where the healthcare professional assists patients confront things that create anxiety and discomfort instead of 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 cause changes in your brain that improve mood and decrease anxiety. It could take several weeks before the medication begins working. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin) could be prescribed for people with social anxiety disorders. These drugs can decrease anxiety rapidly and eventually become habit-forming. They are therefore only utilized in short-term scenarios or as needed.

There are many other types of drugs that can 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 best treatment for you in accordance with your symptoms and health conditions. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication supplements, vitamins, or supplements. Also discuss any potential adverse reactions. Even when you feel better, it is crucial to take your medication exactly as prescribed. Suddenly stopping your medication can increase your chances of suffering a Relapse.

Support groups

If you're a social anxiety sufferer support groups can help you overcome your fears and learn to manage your condition. They provide an unprejudiced and safe space where you can talk about your concerns with other people who have the same condition. You can also learn how to manage your emotions and improve your quality of life. Support groups can be found in person or online.

Before joining any support group, take note of the structure of the group and its membership requirements. For instance, some groups are run by mental health professionals and others are self-help groups that have no professional guidance. Consider whether the group will meet regularly or operate more fluidly. You may be thinking about the number of people who will be there and the level of privacy they'll enjoy.

Asking your therapist or doctor for recommendations is the best way to locate a support group. You must also read reviews about different groups and get feedback from people who have been in the group.  generalized anxiety disorder  can also consult the resources provided by ADAA, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a directory of community and online support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.

Social  anxiety disorder s can make meeting strangers a terrifying experience. The thought of standing in front of others can also be overwhelming. If you're worried about going to a meeting 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 on a website like Support Groups Central, which offers video and audio calls, discussion forums, chat rooms and discussion forums.

A good support group can help you cope with your social anxiety by teaching you that you're not alone and assisting you to realize that the negative thoughts you think about yourself aren't real or distorted. It can also help you develop positive attitudes and skills to deal effectively with your social anxieties. Any advice you receive from an online support group should be used with caution and should not be used to replace the treatment recommendations of your healthcare provider. plan.