10 Disorder Social Anxiety Related Projects That Can Stretch Your Creativity

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is a  severe anxiety disorder  that can cause problems with your daily activities. While most people are uncomfortable or nervous when in social situations, people with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety and fear. It can impact their careers and relationships. It can also cause depression and drug abuse.

Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication and role-playing or social skill training. The medications can include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta blockers.

Symptoms

Social anxiety disorder causes people to be in a state of extreme fear or anxiety in situations where they believe that others will notice their behavior and judge them negatively. This can be the case when meeting new people, eating and drinking in public, or giving an address. The person can choose to avoid the occasion or suffer extreme anxiety and stress. These feelings are not in proportion to the danger or embarrassment. They also cause major disruptions in daily life and affect relationships. People suffering from this condition are less likely to have close friends, get jobs, or maintain their intimate relationships. They are also more vulnerable to depression and substance abuse.

The condition can cause sweating, blushing, or shaking. The person may not be able speak clearly or maintain eye contact. They may be frightened when talking on the phone or writing, and struggle to maintain a job because of poor performance in meetings or in interviews.

In extreme cases, this disorder may lead to other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder and suicidal thinking. In these instances, the treatment is usually more intensive and should be supervised by a mental health professional who is skilled in treating these disorders.

Some psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help treat social anxiety disorder. CBT seeks to change negative thoughts or beliefs which contribute to the disorder. It also helps the patient to deal with situations that cause anxiety gradually, with the assistance of a therapist and an environment that is safe. A type of psychotherapy known as exposure and response or cognitive delivered exposure can be utilized to treat those with extreme social anxieties.

Psychological treatments are often combined with medications to treat the symptoms of this disorder. These medications can alleviate the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms associated with this disorder. This disorder is usually treated by sever serotonin reuptake inhibitors like sertraline, paroxetine, or venlafaxine. Other antidepressants and beta blockers may also be beneficial.

Diagnosis

Everyone is anxious in certain social situations, such as meeting new people, going on an evening date, or performing a performance. If the fear gets overwhelming and impacts your daily life you might need to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Also called social phobia, the disorder is not rooted in a person's personality or the environment and differs from shyness. It is a persistent, real illness that requires treatment.

A health care provider will usually diagnose a condition by speaking with the patient and performing a physical examination. The therapist could then recommend psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, or medication to control symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that can help to manage anxiety. This method assists a person recognize and change negative beliefs and thoughts about social situations that trigger the anxiety. It can help a person learn skills to cope with distressing situations, for example, by practicing relaxation techniques and calm breathing. It may also incorporate an exposure therapy that involves gradually exposing a person to the social situations they are afraid of under the guidance of a counselor.

Prescription medications like antidepressants and antianxiety medication can provide relief for many people with social anxiety disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft), are the most common type of medication used to treat this condition however, other medications may work equally well. It may take a few tries to determine the best medication.

Research has demonstrated that a combination therapy is the most efficient. This can include CBT exposure therapy, or a different type of psychological treatment, such as interpersonal therapy. It is essential that someone receive treatment for anxiety because the condition can cause depression and addictions like alcohol or drugs. It can also cause issues at work or at school and can lead to isolation.

Art therapy, for instance, can be beneficial to some people with social anxiety. This teaches people to express their feelings through drawing, painting or other creative pursuits. It has been proven to reduce the severity of symptoms of anxiety in some cases.

Treatment

Many people feel anxious when they meet new people or present presentations. If the anxiety and fear persist, it could develop into a mental disorder called social anxiety disorder or phobia. It is more than shyness and requires treatment. Psychotherapy, medication, or both are possible treatment options.

A professional health care provider like a doctor or counselor is often able to provide an assessment. The doctor or counselor will check to see if there are any physical issues causing symptoms, and then recommend you to a mental health specialist, such as psychologist or psychiatrist.

The most common psychotherapy used to treat anxiety disorders affecting social phobia is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT you will be guided by a skilled therapist to challenge negative thoughts and discover new ways to cope with stressful situations. You can also learn relaxation techniques and ways to conquer your fears one step at a time. CBT typically takes place over several sessions, and you might be required to complete your homework between sessions.

Social anxiety disorder can be treated with antidepressants. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are often prescribed for this condition, as well as the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). These medications typically last for several weeks before you begin to notice effects, and they may cause negative side effects, such as headache or insomnia.

The use of medications that block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, such as beta-blockers are also available, and may aid in reducing certain physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid blood pressure and heart rate, sweating and shaking the limbs and voice. But since these medications are sedating and habit-forming, physicians don't typically prescribe them for the general treatment of social anxiety.

Research has shown that children who have social anxiety may outgrow it as they grow up however, if the disorder is not treated, it can lead to serious depression and other mental health problems. If your child suffers from severe social anxiety disorders, speak with your GP about treatments options.

The following is a list of preventions.

It's normal to feel anxious or anxious in a social context, such as meeting new people or presenting presentations. However, this anxiety can become a problem when it causes disruption to your daily routine and causes anxiety. It's more than shyness. It can affect your self-esteem, relationships and school or work performance. It is important to seek treatment if you are struggling with this condition. There are a variety of options for assistance, from therapy to medication to support groups.

Social anxiety sufferers typically recognize that their fears are irrational and exaggerated, but they are unable to overcome these fears. They might avoid social interactions and miss out on opportunities for education, employment, and friendships, and are more susceptible to depression or addiction to drugs.

Stress management and talk therapy techniques such as mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises are often used to help with social anxiety. A therapist can assist you to overcome the negative, harmful thinking that fuels your social anxiety. They then help you replace these thoughts with more balanced ones. They can also use social skills training, role-playing as well as other cognitive behavior therapies (CBT) to help you to gradually confront the situations that trigger anxiety in a secure environment.

The use of medications can also help to alleviate some of the symptoms of social anxiety like heart palpitations and sweating. People with this condition should discuss potential adverse effects with their doctor prior to starting the treatment.

Some mental health professionals suggest abstaining from substances that can make your symptoms worse, including alcohol, caffeine and other drugs. They might suggest that you take enough rest and eat a balanced diet. You might be advised to take a walk outside which will help you relax and concentrate on the beauty of nature.

There are many ways to manage social anxiety. Whether you're seeking therapy or medication, it is essential to begin treatment early so that your symptoms don't get out of control and prevent you from living the life you want to live. If you need help, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed, reputable therapist who can help you manage your emotions and be successful in your everyday life.