HOW TO OVERCOME THE SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER AND HOW TO GET OVER IT

Are you frightened to attend client meetings, make speeches in front of a group of students or a crowd, or attend social gatherings for no apparent reason? If this is the case, then you are not alone. You may be suffering from social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, as do thousands of others all around the world.

what is social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition where those who are suffering have an unreasonable and excessive fear of social gatherings where they may be embarrassed or ridiculed. This fear is frequently caused by being closely observed or scrutinised, from the way they dress, talk, or act in important job functions such as giving a presentation to a team of colleagues or interviewing for a job. This phobia can make people feel trapped and cut off from the rest of the world, besides causing mental anxiety for no apparent reasons at all.

am i suffering from social anxiety if i am shy?

While social anxiety disorder is frequently contrasted and compared to shyness, with particular reference to teenagers as a part of their personality, it differs significantly in that it interferes with normal social functions. While everyone feels shy at some point in their lives, it becomes a problem when it interferes with daily life and relationships, particularly at work, where there are leadership qualities to be displayed, causing excessive worry and undue anxiety, thereby increasing the stress levels. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder is critical for early detection and treatment, as in the later stages it may lead to severe psychological disorders and affect mental health.

what are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder

Individuals suffering from social phobia exhibit two types of symptoms emotional and physical. Fear of being judged, worrying about embarrassing or humiliating themselves, fear of being noticed as nervous and jittery, undue anxiety that disrupts daily routines and activities, avoiding things or people out of fear of embarrassment, and avoiding situations where they might be the centre of attention are all emotional symptoms.

Blushing, sweating, trembling or shaking, nausea or feeling sensations of vomiting, stomach upsets, difficulty in talking by stammering, shaky voice, muscle tension, confusion, palpitations and sweating profusely, biting nails, exhibiting symptoms of diarrhoea, cold and clammy hands, and difficulty in making eye contact while speaking are all physical symptoms of social phobia.

Nervousness around other people is a symptom of social phobia. Sufferers frequently believe that others are more confident and better than they are, making them feel uneasy around others and making everyday tasks like eating and drinking in a group at a party or a get together, difficult.

The good news is that social anxiety disorder can be overcome. In the past two decades, a combination of dialogue therapy and medications has been demonstrated to be most effective in limiting the effects or even curing this mental condition.

what is the cure for social anxiety disorder

Antidepressants such as Paroxetine, Sertraline, and Venlafaxine, as well as anti-anxiety medications and beta-blockers, are used to balance certain chemicals in the brain and reduce panic attacks during times of increased anxiety. However, these antidepressants should be taken under medical supervision only as they have certain side effects on mental health.

People with social anxiety disorder benefit more from talk therapy because it helps them react differently to anxiety-provoking situations. Therapists’ help patients confront negative feelings about social situations and their fear of being judged by others. Patients learn how their thought patterns contribute to their symptoms and how to change their thinking to alleviate symptoms through various techniques like NLP.

conclusion

It’s in everyone’s nature to be to be shy, and everyone goes through that at some point of time or another. The challenging part is raising one’s confidence to a certain level. It is human nature to feel anxious about certain things that one has never experienced or is experiencing for the first time.

There is nothing to be ashamed of if you have been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Socializing and functioning normally within a group without excessive anxiety is possible with a little bit of therapy, proper medication, and enough support from people who believe in you.