Anxiety Disorder Social You may have social anxiety disorder if it makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable when you speak to strangers If you experience heart palpitations or anxiety prior to giving a presentation, you might be suffering from this disorder The use of medication and psychotherapy can help ease your symptoms Your doctor will use criteria found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition DSM-5 to determine the severity of your disorder They will ask you questions regarding your symptoms and history Signs and symptoms Everyone is nervous in certain social situations such as meeting new friends or going out on dates, or delivering a speech those suffering from anxiety disorders frequently have a fear of social interactions that is out of proportion This can lead to extreme anxiety and make it difficult to function day-to-day This can also make it difficult for people to comprehend and respond to other people's views Physical symptoms include blushing, sweating and trembling They may avoid places and people where they might be judged, or feel awkward They might have trouble speaking or even stammering A doctor will look over a person who is concerned about social anxiety and make sure there is no medical reason for the symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or heart disease A health care provider may refer the patient to a mental health specialist for treatment if there's medical reason The most common treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT This teaches the person to recognize and overcome negative thoughts that lead to anxiety It also teaches the person how to gradually face the situations that trigger anxiety with the help of a therapy Cognitive delivered exposure, also referred to as exposure therapy, is a method to accomplish this Other treatments, such as relaxation training and systemic desensitization can aid Antianxiety drugs, beta-blockers and other medications are available for anxiety These medications are used to treat symptoms quickly, but can also cause side consequences It's important to discuss the use of these medications with a doctor because stopping them too fast can cause withdrawal symptoms, like feeling depressed or experiencing a rapid heart rate Certain people can reduce their symptoms by following healthy lifestyle recommendations including getting enough sleep and exercising regularly A balanced diet and staying away from alcohol, caffeinated beverages and some prescription cold medicines can also help They may also want to join a support group where they can talk with others who are suffering from anxiety Support groups don't replace therapy or medication but can help you feel less alone Diagnosis While most people are nervous in certain social situations, like meeting new people or delivering speech, those suffering from social anxiety disorder experience intense and prolonged fear and worry that interferes with their daily lives It is important to see a psychiatrist or a mental health professional if the symptoms are persistent and severe, especially if they interfere with work or school To determine whether you have a social anxiety disorder, you must meet the following requirements A person is afflicted with a severe fear or anxiety in one or more circumstances in which they are assessed by other people The feared situations should be avoided or endured in a state of extreme anxiety or stress The fear or anxiety must be present for at least six months and cause significant distress clinically or impairment in social, occupational or other critical areas of functioning The severity of social anxiety disorders differs for each person however it can be successfully treated with psychotherapy talk therapy and/or medication Talk therapy, called cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, can help to change negative thoughts and behaviors regarding social situations Drugs, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs and antidepressants and beta blockers, may also reduce symptoms Many people suffering from social anxiety disorder also have comorbid conditions such as alcohol use disorder or major depressive disorder These coexisting disorders may contribute to social anxiety disorder, which makes it more difficult to treat Treatment for anxiety disorder social typically involves learning how to deal with certain social situations that trigger an emotion, like joining a group or club to practice speaking in public The use of medications such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and monoamine oxidase inhibiters can also help alleviate symptoms Some people find that relaxing techniques or engaging in enjoyable activities, such as hobbies can relieve their symptoms Early treatment is crucial to avoid the condition becoming more severe and interfering in everyday life Call 988 or visit this website to get the referral to mental health specialists Anyone in need of information or assistance regarding suicide prevention can contact a confidential and anonymous hotline Treatment Many people suffering from social anxiety disorder will improve after treatment Depending on severity of symptoms, treatments may include psychotherapy or medication also called "talk therapy" Before starting treatment the health professional may perform a physical exam to rule out any other medical conditions https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/anxiety-disorders as a psychologist or psychiatrist can help you manage and understand your symptoms Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is the most popular type of talk therapy for social anxiety disorder It teaches you to recognize and alter negative beliefs about social situations that trigger anxiety It teaches you to practice confronting situations that can trigger anxiety in a secure, supportive environment Another alternative is exposure therapy, which involves gradually working up to the kind of situation that triggers anxiety This type of therapy is usually combined with CBT to help you control your negative thoughts and behaviors Antianxiety medication can reduce anxiety by regulating the body's response to stressful situations They are generally efficient, however they can be addictive and cause side effects like dizziness or sleepiness For this reason, doctors do not prescribe them for long-term use Beta-blockers block the stimulating effects epinephrine has on the body This hormone is responsible for increasing your blood pressure and heart rate when you're stressed These medications can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, like a sweating and pounding heart but they're not effective for all forms of anxiety Your doctor may suggest SSRIs and SNRIs first for social anxiety disorder Examples of SSRIs include sertraline Zoloft and fluoxetine Prozac Examples of SNRIs are duloxetine Cymbalta and venlafaxine Effexor XR If you suffer from a milder form of the disorder your doctor may suggest you try other antidepressants that don't alter mood These include bupropion Wellbutrin, clonazepam Klonopin and mirtazapine Remeron These medications can also trigger negative side effects, including dry mouth or insomnia Prevention While everyone may feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations from time to time social anxiety disorder, which is also known as social phobia, can make it difficult for people to engage in everyday activities It can affect school and work performance, self-esteem and relationships If not treated, it can cause depression, as well as drinking and drug use While shyness is natural social anxiety disorders can hinder the daily routine of a person particularly during the early years of childhood Children who suffer from social anxiety can be extremely anxious about daily activities such as playing with other children, reading in school or speaking to adults They are often left out of crucial opportunities to develop skills and build relationships with peers, which results in poor academic outcomes and performance in the workplace later on in life Social anxiety symptoms can be addressed with medication, therapy or self-help methods Self-help methods include relaxation exercises, breathing exercises and challenging negative thoughts They also help in gradually dealing with social situations that trigger anxiety Therapy is most effective when you and your therapist work together to address the root cause of anxiety instead of hiding your symptoms Cognitive-behavioural therapy CBT involves examining the irrational beliefs that fuel your anxiety and replacing them with more balanced views It can also include play-based exercises and other forms of group therapy to help you get used to interacting with others Some people can find relief from physical symptoms of anxiety with lifestyle adjustments Eliminating caffeine and other stimulants, such as, can reduce the severity Exercise can boost mood and decrease anxiety It's also beneficial to eat well and avoid substances that can cause anxiety, such as alcohol and drugs In extreme cases, doctors may prescribe antidepressants and other medicines to relieve the symptoms of social phobia The use of medication is not a cure, however it can be efficient when paired with other treatments At some point, you'll learn to manage your symptoms and overcome social anxiety disorder In the meantime, don't let it stop you from enjoying the things in life you enjoy