General shyness is often mistaken for social anxiety. Social
anxiety or social phobia is a fear or discomfort in social situations
where the person feels judgement or criticism by others. Essentially
shyness and social anxiety are the same thing although social anxiety is
a diagnosis of a more severe case. Those who suffer from social phobia
have an initial fear of rejection, criticism and embarrassment. This
leads the person to have low self-esteem and feel highly insecure.
According to the Kim Foundation nearly 40 million American adults ages 18 and older (18.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Of this group, approximately 15 million American adults age 18 and over (6.8%) have social phobia in a given year. These numbers show that you are not alone with this disorder and many others fight the same battle. It is natural to feel an amount of uncertainty in social situations and although many may not suffer from social phobia most people feel a similar discomfort in some situations.
Developmental social anxiety disorder typically occurs in the adolescent years around the age of 13. Symptoms sometimes persist or recur and the person may develop chronic social anxiety. Many successful people also suffer from the disorder. Actress Marilyn Monroe, pop culture icon Michael Jackson and professional football player Ricky Williams all fought the disorder.
Diagnosis for social phobia is sometimes inaccurate as the disorder is sometimes confused with other disorders. Social anxiety is sometimes paired with other disorders such as depression. Thoughts such as "everyone is looking at me" and "they won't like me or want to talk to me again" are typical with those who suffer from the disorder. This kind of paranoia is what most experience in social situations that cause the symptoms. Sufferers generally fear eating in public, dropping an item or becoming the center of attention. Many treatments are available if you are suffering from social phobia. Medications, relaxation techniques and therapy are most common.
Medications
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines and beta-blockers are the most common medications used to treat social anxiety disorder. SSRI medications are the most popular and frequently used to treat the disorder and work for multiple disorders as well. Benzodiazepines are highly effective in reducing anxiety symptoms quickly although they have many side effects and the patient can become addicted as well. beta-blockers are mostly used to lower the physical symptoms of social anxiety such as sweating, shaking and rapid heartbeat.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Also known as CBT cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective method of therapy used for treating social phobia. CBT teaches the client methods for responding to social anxiety. The therapist will give exercises to do as well as help the patient form a strategy to counteract the disorder. CBT is not an ongoing process with the therapist, it is more of a process for the therapist to communicate with the patient to develop a strategy that works for the patient to use on their own.
Relaxation Techniques
Breathing exercises, muscle relaxation methods and therapeutic music are all common relaxation techniques. Breathing methods help the person to use controlled breathing in stressful situations. These techniques are therapeutic in nature and are not meant as a complete treatment of the disorder. Relaxation techniques are meant to alleviate symptoms and help patients to relax.
Battling Social Anxiety on Your Own
Many people are unable to afford costly therapists and medications. Fortunately there are many things that you can do on your own to help the disorder. Simply doing some research just to better understand social anxiety disorder can bring peace of mind. Several resources are available on the internet to give you more information. You can also purchase self-help books that will teach personal therapy methods. Complete systems are available with both audio, video and text to help you overcome the disorder.
According to the Kim Foundation nearly 40 million American adults ages 18 and older (18.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Of this group, approximately 15 million American adults age 18 and over (6.8%) have social phobia in a given year. These numbers show that you are not alone with this disorder and many others fight the same battle. It is natural to feel an amount of uncertainty in social situations and although many may not suffer from social phobia most people feel a similar discomfort in some situations.
Developmental social anxiety disorder typically occurs in the adolescent years around the age of 13. Symptoms sometimes persist or recur and the person may develop chronic social anxiety. Many successful people also suffer from the disorder. Actress Marilyn Monroe, pop culture icon Michael Jackson and professional football player Ricky Williams all fought the disorder.
Diagnosis for social phobia is sometimes inaccurate as the disorder is sometimes confused with other disorders. Social anxiety is sometimes paired with other disorders such as depression. Thoughts such as "everyone is looking at me" and "they won't like me or want to talk to me again" are typical with those who suffer from the disorder. This kind of paranoia is what most experience in social situations that cause the symptoms. Sufferers generally fear eating in public, dropping an item or becoming the center of attention. Many treatments are available if you are suffering from social phobia. Medications, relaxation techniques and therapy are most common.
Medications
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines and beta-blockers are the most common medications used to treat social anxiety disorder. SSRI medications are the most popular and frequently used to treat the disorder and work for multiple disorders as well. Benzodiazepines are highly effective in reducing anxiety symptoms quickly although they have many side effects and the patient can become addicted as well. beta-blockers are mostly used to lower the physical symptoms of social anxiety such as sweating, shaking and rapid heartbeat.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Also known as CBT cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective method of therapy used for treating social phobia. CBT teaches the client methods for responding to social anxiety. The therapist will give exercises to do as well as help the patient form a strategy to counteract the disorder. CBT is not an ongoing process with the therapist, it is more of a process for the therapist to communicate with the patient to develop a strategy that works for the patient to use on their own.
Relaxation Techniques
Breathing exercises, muscle relaxation methods and therapeutic music are all common relaxation techniques. Breathing methods help the person to use controlled breathing in stressful situations. These techniques are therapeutic in nature and are not meant as a complete treatment of the disorder. Relaxation techniques are meant to alleviate symptoms and help patients to relax.
Battling Social Anxiety on Your Own
Many people are unable to afford costly therapists and medications. Fortunately there are many things that you can do on your own to help the disorder. Simply doing some research just to better understand social anxiety disorder can bring peace of mind. Several resources are available on the internet to give you more information. You can also purchase self-help books that will teach personal therapy methods. Complete systems are available with both audio, video and text to help you overcome the disorder.
Want to learn more about social anxiety or shyness as well as the treatments available? Visit http://www.socialanxietyfree.com for more information.
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