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10 Best Mobile Apps For Anxiety Disorder
How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder

Many people are nervous or shy in certain situations. If these feelings get overwhelming, it may be a sign of social anxiety disorder.


The symptoms of social anxiety disorder usually involve fear or distress in most social and performance situations. The anxiety or fear is out of proportion to the risk involved in the situation. The fear can be general or specific.

Treatment

Social anxiety sufferers are afflicted with intense anxiety and fear that is insignificant to the actual danger that they face, for example, feeling shamed or humiliated in public. These feelings can lead to avoidance of social situations, and in some cases, depression or other health issues. Luckily, there are many treatment options for this disorder.

Psychotherapy and medication can ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Psychotherapy (also called cognitive behavioral treatment) can help you develop coping skills to manage anxiety and alter negative thoughts patterns. Your therapist and you work together to build your confidence and gradually face the situations that cause stress. In general 12 to 16 therapy sessions are necessary for this type of treatment.

The therapy of talking can be done in person or via the internet. Exposure therapy is a typical type of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself social situations which cause you to feel uncomfortable. You can train your brain to accept that the situation might not be as dangerous as it seems.

There are a variety of drugs that treat social anxiety disorder, but they can take a few weeks or even months to begin working. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine can reduce your anxiety. They can also ease 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 may help alleviate your symptoms. However they should only be taken for short periods of time.

When choosing a medication you and your physician will need to weigh the benefits and risks of each option. Certain antidepressants may affect your ability to sleep and others can increase the risk of suicide. If you are considering using an antidepressant in the future, you should discuss it with your therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you can also discuss the possibility that the medication might interact with other drugs or supplements that you are taking, like herbal remedies. Your doctor will also have to know how severe your social phobia is and how it affects your daily life.

Self-help

Social anxiety disorder is a serious form of anxiety that can make you extremely uncomfortable. For someone who has this disorder, it's not only a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior giving a public speech or getting nervous about meeting new friends; they have an unending fear that people will judge them or shame them in some way. Social anxiety disorder is so debilitating that it affects every aspect of life, including work, relationships, and home. There are, however, many self-help strategies that can help those suffering from this condition improve their quality of life.

Self-help may involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people understand their anxiety and change the negative thoughts that trigger it. CBT is done in a group setting or with a psychotherapist, and is usually combined with medication. People with social anxiety should also participate in activities they like. Exercise, for instance can ease stress and boost mood. Another method to help yourself is to surround yourself with positive people. It can be difficult for someone with social anxieties to be around positive people.

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

Speak to your general practitioner even if you haven't sought assistance for anxiety related to social. They can refer you to a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support. Self-help options can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes. The use of medication is not a cure for anxiety-related social issues however, it can reduce the symptoms and decrease the severity of your anxiety.

Medication

If you're experiencing anxiety or anxiety that affects your daily routine, or causes you to avoid certain situations or big life changes, consult an expert in health care. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, and will conduct an examination to make sure that you don't have a separate medical issue. If your doctor suspects you have social anxiety disorder, they will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are a variety of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can be used to treat social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that teaches you new skills for dealing with anxiety, can help change your negative thoughts and emotions that are the cause of it. CBT can be performed on your own or in a support group. Exposure therapy is another type of psychotherapy, where a healthcare professional helps patients confront things that create anxiety and discomfort rather than avoid or avoiding 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 cause changes in your brain that boost your mood and reduce anxiety. It could take several weeks for the medication to begin working. Some people with social anxiety disorder might also benefit from benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These medications can reduce anxiety rapidly and eventually become habit-forming. They are therefore only employed in situations that are short-term or as needed.

There are other medicines that can be used to treat social anxiety. They include tricyclic antidepressants, and the class of medications known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will select the most effective treatment for you based on symptoms and other health issues. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication or supplements. Also discuss any possible adverse effects. It is crucial to keep taking your medication according to the prescription even if feeling better. If you stop your medication abruptly, it could increase your risk of a rebound.

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 concerns with others who suffer from the same disorder. You can also learn to manage your emotions and improve your quality of life. anxiety support are accessible in person or online.

Before joining any support group, take note of its structure and membership requirements. For example, some groups are run by mental health professionals, while others are self-help groups that have no professional guidance. Consider whether the group will be meeting regularly or operate more fluidly. You might also want to think about how many members will be present and how much privacy you'll have.

The best method to select a support group is to seek suggestions from your therapist or doctor. You must also read reviews of various groups and request feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also use the resources provided by ADAA (the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). They have a list of online and community support groups for those suffering from anxiety disorders across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Social anxiety disorder can make meeting strangers an intimidating experience. The idea of standing in front of others could be stressful. Request a friend or family member to accompany you to the initial meetings if you're concerned about going to meetings on your own. You can also find support groups via websites such as Support Groups Central, which provides audio and video calls, discussion forums, and chat rooms.

A good support group can help you deal with social anxiety by showing you that you're not alone and assisting you to realize that the negative thoughts you have about yourself aren't accurate or distorted. It can also help you develop more positive outlook and build strategies to manage your social anxiety. However any advice you get from a support group must be treated with caution and should not replace the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.

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