We all must have been at a place when we were afraid to speak in public. It can be our childhood memory of speaking on stage, all the so-called stage fright, or giving a presentation in front of our supervisor at the office. Anxiety is a normal thing to be anxious about in stressful situations, especially in social situations. However, anxiety goes away as soon as the event passes, but if the anxiety persists for a long period, occurring almost every day, then there are chances that it is an anxiety disorder.
What is Social anxiety disorder, or Social phobia?
Social anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs when intense feelings of fear occur. It is also a form of phobia, also called social phobia. A phobia is an intense and exaggerated feeling of fear toward something. Social anxiety is normal in people as well and usually occurs in public speaking, but if the anxiety keeps you on guard and fearful of being judged by others, then you may have developed social anxiety.
What are the symptoms of Social anxiety disorder?
It is completely okay to be nervous in social situations. However, social anxiety disorder causes a significant amount of anxiety in a person.
The following are the symptoms to look for:
Symptoms of anxiety can manifest themselves as both behavioral and physical symptoms.
Behavioral symptoms
Fearing negative judgment by others in social situations.
- Constantly worrying about getting embarrassed or humiliated in front of others.
- Intense fear about interacting with strangers
- Fear of being nervous about being anxious
- Anticipation of the situation
- Complete avoidance of any situation causing anxiety
- Fear about the presence of attention in public experiences the worst outcome in a social situation.
Physical symptoms
- Rapid breathing
- Trembling Sweating
- Nausea or an upset stomach Breathlessness
- Dizziness Fatigue or. tiredness
- Muscle tension
- The mind goes blank in certain situations.
What are the causes of Social anxiety disorder?
There can be several causes behind social phobia, ranging from biological to environmental.
Genetics and heredity disorders
Anxiety disorder runs in families. If a person has a family history of social anxiety, they have a chance of passing down that trait to the next generation.
Brain chemistry
Certain substances in the brain, such as the amygdala and hippocampus, are responsible for controlling memories and fear responses in human beings. Oversensitivity in the amygdala might be the reason behind extreme fear responses in people with social anxiety.
Environment
The environment plays a significant role in shaping our behavior and personality. Social anxiety can be learned behaviorally by children in stressful situations. Children also learn these behaviors by constantly surrounding their parents, who act as role models for them.
Stress and negative emotions
Stressful and negative experiences in life can also serve as a risk factor for the development of social anxiety. Experiences such as bullying, humiliation, and rejection can hurt the self-esteem of a person, especially children.
What are treatments for Social anxiety disorders?
If you believe you have symptoms of toxic anxiety, then it’s always right to seek professional help. Depending upon your history, symptoms, and compliance, the professionals may use a combination of techniques to cure the social phobia.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or counseling are common ways to treat social anxiety disorder. Various forms of therapy can be used to find and treat the root cause of fear.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
It is a commonly used therapeutic technique, and is very helpful in treating phobias. It teaches you to handle fearful situations by gradually replacing them with relaxation over time. One of the proven and effective ways to treat social anxiety.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy is kind of similar to CBT, but it involves the progressive reduction of the fear response by replacing it with nothing.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
It is a technique of mindful practice to relieve social anxiety. It reduces discomfort and stress by letting you know about your thoughts and feelings without any judgment.
Medication
Medication is significantly effective in treating anxiety disorders. Psychotherapists may use this combination of counseling sessions to seek effective results. Medicines such as anti-depressants,anti-anxiety medicine, and beta-blockers are used to deal with the distressing symptoms of anxiety.
Preventive measures for Social anxiety disorder?
Even though behavior is a predictive phenomenon, we can never be confident when a condition can develop. There are certain preventive measures to be taken to reduce these symptoms.
Get early help from professionals!
In the case of mental disorders, sometimes it is difficult to understand what is happening. However, as soon as we see warning signs, we must seek immediate help from a professional.
Healthy lifestyle
A healthy and active lifestyle can be extremely effective in keeping moods checked. Activities such as exercise, sports, and outdoor activities can greatly help you channel your thoughts and divert your attention from unwanted feelings.
Prioritize sleep
Sound sleep is the key to an active mind and a healthy body. It is very important to maintain a 7-8-hour sleep schedule to recharge your body.
Avoid using Substance
Avoid consuming substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, tobacco, etc. Substances can further worsen the condition of anxiety. Furthermore,it even interferes with the effective working of medicines.