5 Killer Quora Answers To Anxiety Disorder
How to Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations. These feelings can become overwhelming and could be an indication that you have social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is defined by distress or fear when faced with situations in which people are performing or social. The anxiety or fear is insignificant to the actual risk in the situation. The fear can be generalized or specific.
Treatment
Social anxiety sufferers are afflicted with intense anxiety and fear that is not proportional to the actual danger like being embarrassed or snubbed in public. These feelings cause them to avoid social situations and, in some instances, may lead to depression or other health problems. There are many treatment options available for this problem.
Medications and psychotherapy can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Psychotherapy, also referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn coping skills to manage anxiety and change negative thinking patterns. Together, you and your therapist can build your confidence to handle stressful situations. In general 12 to 16 therapy sessions are needed for this type of treatment.
In person or online You can avail the benefits of talking therapies. Exposure therapy is a popular form of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself social situations which cause you to feel uncomfortable. Through this, you can teach your brain that the situations aren't as dangerous as they seem.
There are several types of medication that treat social anxiety disorders, but they can take a few weeks or even months to begin working. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help reduce the intensity of your anxiety. They can also help relieve the symptoms of depression. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are other antidepressants that can help with anxiety. Antianxiety drugs, like alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) can also be helpful in relieving your symptoms, but should only be used for short-term use.
Your doctor and you should consider the risks and benefits of each medication before deciding one. Certain antidepressants may affect your ability to sleep and certain medications can increase your risk of suicide. Discuss the possibility of taking an antidepressant with a therapist or a psychologist. Your therapist and you can also discuss whether the medication may interact with other drugs or supplements you are taking, like herbal remedies. Your doctor will also need to know how severe your social phobia is and how it affects your daily life.
Self-help
Everyone is nervous or uncomfortable when they are in social situations, but those experiences are different than those of people who have severe social anxiety disorder . For panic anxiety disorder who has this disorder, it's more than only a matter of feeling butterflies in the stomach prior to giving a public speech or getting nervous about meeting new people; they also have a constant fear that others will judge them or shame them in some way. Social anxiety can be so debilitating that it can affect all aspects of life including home, work, and relationships. There are, however, a variety of self-help techniques which can help people suffering from this condition improve their quality of life.
Self-help is a form of therapy that includes cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a form of therapy that assists people understand anxiety and change the negative thoughts that trigger it. CBT can be performed individually with a therapist or in a group and is often paired with medication. Social anxiety sufferers should also try to engage in activities that help them feel happy. Exercise, for example can ease stress and boost mood. Spending time with people who are positive is another way to help yourself. It can be difficult for someone who is anxious about social situations to surround themselves with positive people.
It is possible to overcome social anxiety by taking on the challenges, particularly if you are competitive. It could be as easy as battling yourself, for instance trying to talk to everyone at a dinner party more times than you did last time. It could also be as big as accepting an offer at work or going back to school to earn an education in your area of interest.
If you haven't had treatment for your anxiety about social situations Begin by talking to your physician. They can refer to an expert in mental health who can offer you advice and support. Self-help options can include psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle adjustments. The use of medication is not an effective treatment for anxiety-related social issues however, it can reduce the symptoms and decrease the intensity of your anxiety.
Medication
Speak to your doctor in case you are suffering from anxiety or worry that is affecting your daily activities or causing you to avoid certain situations or major life changes. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will conduct a physical examination to ensure that you do not suffer from a medical condition that is distinct. If your doctor suspects you have a social anxiety disorder, they will refer you to an expert in mental health. There are several types of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") that can be used to treat social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach you new strategies to tackle anxiety and assist you to change the negative thoughts that cause anxiety. CBT can be conducted by yourself or with a group of individuals in support groups. Another form of psychotherapy is called exposure therapy, where a health professional assists you in overcoming the things that cause you anxiety or discomfort instead of 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 can cause changes in the brain that improve your mood and decrease anxiety. It could take several weeks before the medication starts working. Some people with social anxiety disorder might benefit from benzodiazepines, like alprazolam, clonazepam or Xanax. These drugs can decrease anxiety quickly and become habit-forming. They should only be employed in situations that are short-term or as needed.
There are also other medications that can be used to treat social anxiety. These include tricyclic antidepressants, as well as a class known as monoamine oxide inhibitors (MAOIs). Your doctor will determine the most effective treatment for you depending on your symptoms and other health conditions. Inform your doctor if are taking any other medication or supplements. Also discuss any potential side effects. It is essential to continue following the prescribed dosage even if you're feeling better. Suddenly stopping your medication could increase the chance of Relapse.
Support groups
Support groups can help you learn to cope and overcome your social anxiety. These groups provide an open and safe environment where you can talk about your concerns with other people who suffer from the same condition. You can also learn to manage your emotions and improve your quality of life. Support groups can be found in person or on the internet.
Before joining a support group, consider the structure and the membership requirements. For instance, some support groups are led by mental health professionals while others are self-help groups with no professional guidance. Think about whether the group will be meeting regularly or if it will be more fluid. You may be thinking about the number of people who will be there and how much privacy they'll have.
The best way to choose a support group is to request suggestions from your doctor or therapist. You must also read reviews about various groups and ask for feedback from those who have been in the group. You can also use resources provided by ADAA which is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They have a list of community and online support groups for anxiety disorders in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Meeting with strangers can be a scary experience for people with social anxiety disorder, and the idea of being in front of a group of people can feel overwhelming. Request a friend or family member to accompany you to the initial meetings if you're worried about going to meetings on your own. You can also find support groups through websites such as Support Groups Central, which offers video and audio calls, discussion forums chat rooms and discussion forums.
A good support group can help you deal with your social anxiety by showing you that you're not alone and helping you realize that the negative thoughts you have about yourself aren't true or accurate. It can help you develop a more positive attitude and develop techniques to manage your social anxiety. Any advice you receive from an online support group should only be used with care, and should not replace the treatment recommendations of your healthcare provider. plan.