Today I want to touch on Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as Social Phobia.
Nearly all people experience nervousness or shyness in certain social situations, this is normal and is not a disorder. However for someone with social anxiety the fear is so extreme it is debilitating and disrupts both personal and professional relationships.
This disorder is so much more than shyness and anyone who suffers with it should gettreatment in the form of therapy or medication.
If left untreated social anxiety or phobia will lead to more serious forms of anxiety or depression.
How to recognize social anxiety.
Avoiding all social occasions which severely limits your activities and daily life.
Excessive self consciousness around other people.
Worrying for weeks before a planned social occasion.
Social anxiety can stem from learned experiences, emotional trauma or be heredity. People who suffer with this disorder often self blame even though it is clearly not heir fault.
Some common triggers are,
Meeting people in authority
Using a telephone in public
Speaking in public
Being introduced to a stranger
Attending weddings, funerals etc
Social anxiety or phobia can be treated or managed by therapy or anti-anxiety medications.
When a sufferer is aware they have this disorder they can take steps to reduce and manage the condition themselves.
Some coping techniques are,
Control breathing, take slow, shallow breaths
Positive self talk
Removing oneself from the trigger situation
Awareness of triggers and causes of social anxiety will enable the sufferer to choose coping techniques which are personal to themselves and are the most effective way to deal with their disorder.
Until next time,
Andrew.
For further info please visit : Cure Anxiety And Panic Attacks