Social anxiety disorder can affect everyday activities, self-confidence, as well as relationships. Many may confuse social anxiety with being shy. Some people may be used to being quiet and shy and interpret this behavior as having a social anxiety disorder; however, shyness is a common trait and is not considered interchangeable with social anxiety. Shy people may be fearful of unusual situations at first, but as they become more familiar with the circumstance, they become more at ease. Others with social anxiety might experience severe anxiety symptoms such as nausea, sweating, a racing heart, and dizziness. They might also attempt to avoid the situation at all costs. The anxious thoughts and feelings often remain present before, during, and after an event. Distinguishing social anxiety disorder from shyness is a matter of differentiating between the level of anxiety and the extent it affects one's daily functioning.
Social anxiety disorder presents itself as having a fear of judgment. Clients with social anxiety disorder frequently fear making a mistake, especially in public, being criticized and ridiculed by someone else, and being rejected by others. Before a social occasion, negative thought patterns begin to emerge, usually unconsciously, which can ignite anxious emotions and lead to the display of physical symptoms. Clients are frequently preoccupied with their behaviors and feelings during the social scenario rather than what is happening around them, which hinders them from being present with others around them. After the event, clients will typically spend a significant amount of time analyzing their actions in the social scenario, which will most likely lead to them deciding that their performance was poor, reinforcing the anxious feelings that existed before the event.
- Intense fear of one or more social situations such as social interactions (e.g., having a conversation), being observed (e.g., eating or drinking in public), or performing in front of others (e.g., giving a presentation).
- Fear of being negatively evaluated by others.
- Social situations almost always cause fear or anxiety.
- Social situations are almost always avoided or are endured with severe fear or anxiety.
- The fear or anxiety is usually out of proportion to the actual threat of the social situation.
- The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes significant impairment to one or more areas of the individual's life, such as their social life or occupation(s).
The symptoms are not due to other mental or medical disorders or the effects of a substance.
Physical symptoms:
- Blushing
- Racing heart
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Muscle tension
Two types of social anxiety may be experienced: general social anxiety disorder and non-generalized social anxiety.
Generalized social anxiety: individuals fear most social situations where they are around more than one person, and they may start experiencing strong and intense feelings of anxiety.
Non-generalized social anxiety: individuals fear a specific public situation, such as a fear of public speaking or eating out in public.
Some studies have shown that about 7-8% of the global population experiences social anxiety disorder.
If left untreated, social anxiety disorder can become chronic and increasingly challenging to manage. Fighting the disorder and maintaining a normal life can grow exceedingly difficult over time. Adhering to the recommended treatment methods, on the other hand, has an excellent prognosis for social anxiety disorder.
While it is normal and common to experience shyness when encountering social situations and interactions, it is important to seek help if these experiences are significantly negatively affecting your daily activities. If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of social anxiety disorder, you should reach out for support from a mental health professional as soon as possible.
Treatment for social anxiety disorder may depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms experienced. The first course of action is to seek psychotherapy, but clients may also need to seek a medical professional for medications.
Psychotherapy:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most often utilized methods for social anxiety disorder. It teaches clients new ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to social situations in order to help them overcome their anxiety. CBT also teaches clients how to employ practical social skills and coping mechanisms in social situations when they are anxious. Exposure therapy is a type of CBT psychotherapy in which clients are encouraged to gradually expose themselves and confront their anxieties and uncomfortable feelings in social circumstances. To help clients cope with their worries, exposure therapy is typically paired with relaxation techniques.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which takes a different approach than CBT, is another psychotherapy method used to treat social anxiety disorder. In order to cope with social anxiety disorder, ACT employs techniques based on mindfulness, goal-setting, and acceptance.
Medications:
If a client's symptoms of social anxiety disorder appear quite severe, their doctors may prescribe medicines in addition to psychotherapy.
When treating social anxiety disorder, a variety of medications may be employed, including:
- Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Beta-blockers
- Anti-anxiety medications
It's crucial to remember that both psychotherapy and medication take time to show results. It is recommended that individuals rigorously follow the prescription dosages prescribed by their psychiatrists and not cease taking these medications on their own.
