Now That You ve Purchased Anxiety Disorder ... Now What
How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and could be an indication that you suffer from social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorders typically involve distress or fear in the majority of social and performance situations. The anxiety or stress in a situation is out of proportion to the actual risk. The fear could be generalized or specific.
Treatment
Social anxiety disorder can cause people to feel fear and distress out of proportion with the actual risk. For example, they may be afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in public. This can lead to avoidance of social situations and, in some cases, can develop into depression or other health issues. There are many treatment options available for this condition.
Psychotherapy and medications can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy (also referred to as cognitive behavior treatment) can help you develop coping skills to manage anxiety and change negative thinking patterns. You and your therapist will collaborate to build your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause stress. Typically 12 to 16 therapy sessions are needed to receive this kind of treatment.
Talking therapies are available either in person or via the internet. Exposure therapy is a popular form of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself to social situations that make you uncomfortable. You can help your brain accept that these situations might not be as dangerous as it seems.
There are a variety of medications that treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take weeks or months to start working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibiters like paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine can help reduce 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 medication, like alprazolam and clonazepam, can help relieve your symptoms. However, they should only be taken for short periods of time.
When choosing a medication, you and your doctor will need to weigh the benefits and dangers of each. Certain antidepressants can interfere with your sleeping patterns, while others could increase the risk of suicide. Consider taking an antidepressant with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapy provider and you can discuss the possibility that the medication might interact with other drugs or supplements you're taking, such as herbal remedies. Your doctor also needs to be aware of how serious your social anxiety is and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Social anxiety disorder is a severe type of anxiety that can be very uncomfortable. This disorder is more than being nervous prior to giving a speech in public or feeling nervous when meeting new people. It's the constant anxiety about being considered a victim or being embarrassed in some way. Social anxiety disorder is such a debilitating condition that it can affect 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 may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which assists individuals understand their anxiety and change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be performed by a therapist on an individual basis or in a group and is often combined with medication. People suffering from social anxiety should also consider engaging in activities that help them feel happy. Exercise, for instance can help reduce stress and boost mood. Spending time with people who are positive is another self-help technique. It can be challenging for someone who has social anxiety to surround themselves with positive people.
The act of taking on challenges is an effective way to combat social anxiety, especially for those with an innate competitive streak. It could be as easy as battling yourself, for instance, trying to talk to everyone at the dinner party more often than you did the last time. Or, it could be as large as accepting an offer at work or returning to school to earn a degree in your field of interest.
Speak to your general practitioner if you haven't sought help for social anxiety. They may refer you to an expert in mental health who can provide guidance and support. Self-help options include psychotherapy as well as medication. Medication is not the only solution to social anxiety Disorders Questionnaire, but it can help lessen the symptoms and reduce the severity of your anxiety.
Medication
Consult your physician in case you are suffering from anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily routine or causing you to avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and perform an examination to ensure that you don't have an unrelated medical issue. If your doctor suspects that you are suffering from social best anxiety disorder treatment, he'll refer you to an expert in mental health. There are many kinds of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can be used to combat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method of teaching you new skills for dealing with anxiety, can help change your negative thoughts and feelings that are the cause of it. CBT can be conducted by yourself or in the form of a group. Another type of psychotherapy is exposure therapy, in which a medical professional helps you gradually face the things that cause anxiety or discomfort, rather than trying to avoid 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 signal changes in your brain that boost your mood and decrease anxiety. It can take several weeks before the medications begin working. Some people with social anxiety disorders may also benefit from benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These medications can reduce anxiety quickly and can become habit-forming. They are therefore only used in short-term situations or when needed.
There are many other types of medications that can be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants and a class of drugs known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will choose the right medication for you based on the symptoms you experience and any other health issues or allergies you suffer from. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication, supplements or vitamins. Also discuss any possible side effects. Even if you feel better, it is important to take your medication exactly as prescribed. If you stop your medication abruptly, it could increase your risk of an Relapse.
Support groups
Support groups can help you understand how to cope and overcome your social anxiety. They provide a safe and non-judgmental space where you can discuss your issues with other people who suffer from the same issue. You can also learn to manage your emotions and increase your quality of life. You can find support groups in person or on the internet.
Be aware of the group's structure and membership requirements before joining. Some groups are run professionally by mental health professionals, while others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. You should also consider whether the group will be regularly scheduled to meet or if it will operate on a more fluid basis. You might also want to consider how many people will be present and how much privacy you'll enjoy.
The best anxiety disorder treatment method of choosing a support group is to ask for recommendations from your doctor or therapist. You should also read reviews of various groups and request feedback from people who have participated in the group. You can also use the resources provided by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have a directory of online and community support groups throughout the United States, Canada and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be an intimidating experience for people suffering from social acute anxiety disorder disorders. The thought of sitting in front of a group of people can feel overwhelming. Consider asking a friend or family member to accompany you to the first few meetings if you're worried about attending on your own. Support groups can be found on websites such as Support Groups Central. This website offers video and audio calling as well as discussion forums and a chat room.
A good support group can help you deal with your social anxiety by teaching you that you're not the only one and helping you understand that the negative beliefs you think about yourself aren't real or true at all. It can also help develop an optimistic attitude and the skills to deal effectively with your social anxiety. However any advice you get from a support group should be treated with caution and should not be used to replace the treatment plan suggested by your doctor.
