Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

 

Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia is everyday interaction that causes significant anxiety self-consciousness, and embarrassment because of fear of being judged negatively by others.

 

Definition

Social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition in which social interaction causes irrational anxiety.

For people with social anxiety disorder, everyday social interaction causes irritation anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment.

 

Main Factors like Fear and anxiety lead to avoidance that can disrupt your life In social anxiety disorder. Severe stress can affect your relationship, daily routines, work, school, or other day-to-day activities.

 

Social anxiety disorder can be a chronic mental health condition, but learning psychotherapy and other skills or taking medication can help you gain confidence and improve your ability to interact with others.

 

 

What is Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia?

Social anxiety is different from shyness. Shyness is usually short-term and doesn’t disrupt one’s life. Social anxiety is persistent and debilitating. It can affect your ability to

• Work
• Attending school
• Developing a close relationship with people outside other families.

 

According to the anxiety and depression association of America (ADDA), approximately 15 million American adults have a social anxiety disorder. Symptoms of these orders may start around the age of 13.

 

 

Symptoms

 

The feeling of shyness or discomfort in a certain situation is an unnecessary sign of social anxiety disorder. Here are some Symptoms

• Emotional and behavioral symptoms
• Fear of situations in which you may have fear of being judged negatively.
• Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
• Extreme fear of interacting or talking with strangers
• Fear that people will notice you look anxious
• Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment such as blushing, sweating, or having a shaky voice.
• People who are having an anxiety disorder will avoid doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment
• The anxiety of a situation where you might be the center of attention
• The expectation of the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation.
• For children anxiety about interacting with adults or peers may be shown by crying or having temper tantrums or refusing to speak in social situations
• Performance type

 

Everyday nervousness and social anxiety disorder include fear, anxiety, and avoidance that interfere with relationships, daily routine work, work, school, or other activities.

 

Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the early to mid-teens, though it can sometimes start in young children or adults.

 

Social anxiety disorder is when you experience intense fear and anxiety during speaking or performing in public but not in other types of more general situations.

 

Physical Symptoms

 

Physical signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder include

• Blushing
• Sweating
• Fast heartbeat
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness or Light-headedness
• Feeling that your mind has gone blank
• Muscle tension
• Shaky voice
• Trouble catching your breath

 

 

Avoidance of Common Social Situations

 

Common everyday experiences may be social anxiety disorder including

• Interacting with unfamiliar people or strangers
• Attending parties or social gatherings
• Going to work or school
• Making eye contact
• Entering a room in which people are already seated
• Eating in front of others or returning items to a store
• Using a public restroom

 

Psychological symptoms may include

• Worrying intensely about a social situation
• Worrying about days or weeks before an event
• Avoiding social situations by trying to blend into the background
• Intake of alcohol to face a situation
• Worrying that other people will notice your stress or nervous
• Missing school or work because of anxiety

 

 

Causes

The exact cause of the social phobia is unknown. However current research supports the idea that it is caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetics. Negative experiences also may contribute to this disorder including

• Bullying
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Family conflict

 

 

Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

Your health care provider can refer you to a mental health provider for treatment. Sometimes your doctor may suggest medication to treat some symptoms.

 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

This therapy helps you to learn how to control anxiety through relaxing and breathing and how to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

 

Exposure therapy

This type of therapy helps you gradually face social situations, rather than avoiding them.

 

Group therapy

This therapy helps you to learn social skills and techniques to interact with people in social settings. Participating in Group therapy with others who have the same fears may make you feel less alone. It will give you a chance to practice your new skills in role-playing.

 

Home Remedies

 

• Getting plenty of sleep

Getting at least 8 hours of sleep must be recommended.

Lack of sleep can increase your anxiety as well as worsen symptoms of social phobia.

 

• Avoid Caffeine

Foods such as coffee, chocolate, and soda are stimulating and may increase anxiety.

Even though up to 400 milligrams per day is safe for healthy adults, according to the Food and Drug Administration FDA, everyone experienced the effect of caffeine differently.

So you might need to drink less of it if you are managing social anxiety.

 

 

Outlook for social anxiety disorder

 

People with social phobia men mostly depend on drugs and alcohol to cope with anxiety triggers in social interaction. This left untreated, social phobia can lead to other high-risk behavior including

• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Loneliness
• Thoughts of suicide or negative thoughts

 

Social phobia doesn’t have to control your life. Although it may take weeks or months, psychotherapy or medication can help you feel calmer and more confident in social situations including

• Recognizing the triggers that cause you to start feeling nervous or out of control
• Start practicing relaxation and breathing techniques
• Take your medication as prescribed

 

According to ADAA, about 36% of people with social anxiety don’t speak to healthcare providers until they have had symptoms for at least 10 years.

 

Anti-Anxiety medication

Anti-anxiety medications are also prescribed for social anxiety. Some of these medications include

• Diazepam
• Lorazepam
• Clonazepam
• Alprazolam

 

The decision to use these medications will need to be made after a discussion with your doctor, weighing how they may benefit you against the chance of dependence.

 

Lifestyle changes

• Getting regular physical actor size is one change you can make.
• Exercise increases your brain's production of endorphins, which are feel-good hormones bad regulate mood and anxiety aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
• You can also lessen anxiety by knowing your limits.
• Having too much on your plate can heighten anxiety, so practice saying no to events you don’t really want to attend and try your best to prioritize rest, relaxation, and self-care.

 

Practice being social

• Practice can be a great weapon against social anxiety rather than fear of social settings, ease into this situation with baby steps.
• Simply avoiding social interaction could potentially worsen anxiety close stop you can also practice talking to people for example saying good morning or offering a compliment to a co-worker.
• Try to make eye contact when speaking with people if you are in a retail store.

 

Exercises

Exercise can be studied as a possible treatment option for anxiety symptoms.

According to the anxiety and depression association of America, researchers found that regular participation in aerobic exercise also known as cardio exercise has been shown to decrease tension, increase mood, improve sleep and improve self-esteem. Even 5 minutes of exercise can stimulate these anti-anxiety effects on your mood.

This Exercise includes

• Running
• Jogging
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Walking

 

One study found that exercise and relaxation activities like yoga can impact how people perceive certain situations, viewing their environment in a less threatening way is definitely a good thing.

Yoga involves stretching, movement, breathing, relaxation, and meditation to exercise your body and mind with Progressive muscle relaxation. This takes you through your body and encourages you to relax one muscle group at a time.

 

When it comes to anxiety treatment is saying he has never been to a  study have shown that regular exercise can brighten your mood, reduce anxious thoughts and decrease physical symptoms.