Social Anxiety Disorder – When Being Social Hurts

Under most circumstances, people enjoy meeting and mixing with other people to exchange information and experiences in social situations. However, people with social anxiety disorder find these encounters threatening and uncomfortable, to the point where they may avoid social events altogether. Today, psychologists have a greater understanding of social anxiety disorder and have developed treatments that help these individuals to feel more comfortable in social situations.

What Is Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is sometimes called social phobia because it exhibits as an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. The individual may feel threatened by peoples’ judgments, not know how to engage others in conversation or may shut down entirely. This emotionally painful condition is one of the most common anxiety disorders.

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder can demonstrate as a number of different types of symptoms. It can be an excessive fear of interacting with people at parties, on dates or in work or school groups. Eating or drinking in front of other people can be a cause for crippling anxiety and stress. Working or performing tasks in front of others may be a source of tension. Asking questions in front of a group or speaking in front of groups can be a problem for these people. Speaking on the telephone can produce strong feelings of anxiety. Even using public toilets can cause stress and anxiety in those who suffer from social anxiety disorder. Physical symptoms such as confusion, pounding heart, trembling, upset stomach or diarrhea can occur. These overwhelming symptoms can cause the person can avoid social situations entirely. Children with this disorder may cry in social situation, cling to parents or refuse to participate in activities.

Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder

Psychologists believe that biological components can be a factor in social anxiety disorder. They believe that insufficient production of serotonin may be at fault in this condition. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter chemical that the brain produces to regulate emotions and moods. Too much or too little serotonin can produce a number of psychological disorders. The structure of the brain itself can have a role in symptoms of social anxiety disorder. The part called the “amygdala” may be overactive, producing heightened fear reactions. Some people who have had prior negative experiences in a social situation, such as teasing, bullying or ridiculing, may have been traumatized and must work to overcome the feelings of this previous event.

Treating Social Anxiety Disorder

Those suffering from this disorder should seek professional help as soon as possible. Treatments for this disorder are more successful when the condition has not gone on for along period of time. Children with this problem can be helped with therapy to help reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used to treat social anxiety disorder. This method of therapy uses thinking and learning to re-train the person reactions to social situations. Repetition is used to reinforce the new ways of thinking and reacting. Group interaction with others who have social anxiety is often part of the treatment. Step-by-step, the individual is exposed to more social situations and encouraged to use their new skills to overcome the stress and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy may incorporate many different treatment methods as tools to help the patient cope.

Medications for Social Anxiety Disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI medications, are generally prescribed for social anxiety disorder. This category includes medications such as Paxil, Prozac, Luvox and Zoloft. They are usually started at a low dose and then increased to provide a sufficient level of anxiety reduction. Other medications may also provide help for those suffering from this disorder, including benzodiazepines, beta-blockers and less commonly used antidepressants. Many of these medications have side effects. You should always discuss any medication problems with your therapist.

Prognosis For Social Anxiety Disorder

The prognosis for those with social anxiety disorder is generally good. Early treatment can help patients to overcome the anxiety that prevents them from interacting with others and using their skills and talents. Those people who do not get treatment for social anxiety disorder have a high rate of underachievement, alcoholism, depression and suicide. Anyone who is suspected of having social anxiety disorder should be encouraged to seek treatment to alleviate symptoms.