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How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

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

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by distress or fear when faced with performance or social situations. The anxiety or stress in a situation is not out of proportion with the actual risk. The fears could be general or specific.

Treatment

People with social anxiety disorder experience intense anxiety and stress that is insignificant to the actual risk, such as being embarrassed or snubbed in public. These feelings cause them to avoid social situations and, in a few instances, may lead to depression or other health issues. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments for this condition.

Medications and psychotherapy can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy (also known as cognitive behavioral treatment) can help you develop coping skills for managing anxiety and changing negative thinking patterns. Your therapist and you collaborate to build your confidence and slowly face the situations that cause you stress. This type of treatment usually requires 12 to 16 sessions.

Online or in person, you can access the benefits of talking therapies. Exposure therapy is a common type of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself to social situations that make you uncomfortable. You can train your brain to accept that these situations might not be as dangerous as they appear.

There are a variety of medication that treat social anxiety disorders however, they may take a few weeks or even months to get started. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline can help you reduce your anxiety. They can also ease your depression symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and Clonazepam (Klonopin) are also able to help to reduce your symptoms but should only be used for short-term use.

Your doctor and you must evaluate the risks and advantages of each medication before choosing one. Certain antidepressants can affect your ability to sleep and certain medications can increase your risk of suicide. If you're considering taking an antidepressant, talk about it with your therapist or psychologist. http://donsigma.com/isigmapress/members/skirtbeer1/activity/25032/ and you can discuss whether the medication may interfere with other medications or supplements that you are taking, like herbal remedies. In addition to evaluating the medicines your doctor needs to understand how severe your social anxiety is and how it impacts your daily life.

Self-help

Everyone is nervous or uncomfortable in social situations at times, but those feelings are different from those of people who have severe social anxiety disorder. This condition is more than being nervous prior to giving an address in public or feeling anxious when meeting new people. It's a constant anxiety about being judged or embarrassed in some way. Social anxiety disorder can be so debilitating it can affect every aspect of life including work, relationships, and home. Fortunately, there are various self-help methods that can help those suffering from this condition improve their lives.

Self-help can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which aids individuals understand their anxiety and learn to 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. Social anxiety sufferers should also be able to participate in activities that help them feel happy. Exercise, for instance can help relieve stress and boost mood. Another self-help technique is to be around positive people. It can be challenging for someone who is anxious about social situations to surround themselves with positive people.

The act of taking on challenges is an effective way to reduce social anxiety, particularly for those who have an innate competitive streak. It could be as easy as to compete with yourself. For instance try to speak to everyone at a party longer than you did the previous time. It could be as simple as competing against yourself, for instance trying to speak to each person at a dinner event more than you did last time.

If you haven't sought treatment for your social anxiety, start by talking to your physician. They can refer to an expert in mental health who can provide assistance and guidance. Self-help options include psychotherapy and medication. Medication isn't the only solution to anxiety in social situations, but it can help lessen the symptoms and reduce the severity of your anxiety.

Medication

Consult your physician when you're experiencing anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily routine or causing you to avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and perform an examination to make sure that you don't have an unrelated medical issue. If your doctor suspects that you have social anxiety disorder, they will refer you to a mental health professional. There are many kinds of psychotherapy that treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that teaches you new strategies for dealing with anxiety, can help you change your negative thoughts and emotions that cause anxiety. CBT can be performed by yourself or in a support group. Another form of psychotherapy is exposure therapy, in which a healthcare professional assists you in overcoming the things that make you feel anxious or uncomfortable, rather than avoiding them.

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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 the brain that improve your mood and decrease anxiety. It may take some time before the medication starts working. Benzodiazepines, like alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin) could also be prescribed to individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder. These drugs work quickly to reduce anxiety and are habit-forming, and are usually only prescribed for short intervals or in specific situations, like before giving speech.

There are a variety of other kinds of drugs that can be used to treat social anxiety, including tricyclic antidepressants and a class of drugs referred to as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on symptoms and other health issues. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other medications or supplements you're taking and discuss any possible side effects that may occur. Even if you feel better, it is important to take your medication as prescribed. Stopping your medication suddenly can increase your risk of having a rebound.

Support groups

If you're a sufferer of social anxiety, support groups can help you overcome your anxieties and learn to cope with your condition. These groups provide a safe and nonjudgmental forum in which you can discuss your struggles with people who have the same condition. You can also learn to manage your feelings and improve your quality of life. Support groups are accessible in person or online.

Before joining a support group, consider its structure and the requirements for membership. Some groups are led professionally by mental health professionals, while others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. It is also important to consider whether the group will have regular meetings or will operate on a more flexible basis. It is also important to consider how many members will be present and the amount of privacy you'll enjoy.

The best way to choose the right support group is to ask for recommendations from your doctor or therapist. You should also read reviews about different groups and ask for feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also utilize resources provided by ADAA which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They provide an extensive list of online and community support groups for people suffering from anxiety disorders across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Meeting with strangers can be an intimidating experience for people with social anxiety disorder, and the idea of being in front of a group of people can be overwhelming. Ask a friend or a family member to accompany you to your first few meetings if you're worried about attending on your own. You can also find support groups through a website like Support Groups Central, which provides audio and video calls, discussion forums and chat rooms.

A good support group will aid you in dealing with your social anxiety. It will help you understand that you are not alone and help you realize that your negative thoughts about yourself aren't true or accurate. It can also help you develop more positive attitude and develop strategies to manage your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should only be used with caution and should not be used to replace the treatment recommendations of your healthcare provider. plan.