Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Information & Treatments
If you have ever made a speech, to a meeting at work, a wedding, in public, or you have had to make a presentation you will know that it is normal to feel anxious before such an event.
Having said that there are plenty of people who get extremely anxious just at the thought of being in public and mixing with other people outside of their home. These people are suffering with social anxiety disorder.
They have a mental condition that makes them feel scared of being in social situations or interacting with people they do not know. Some of the thoughts that pass through their mind are that people are judging them, or perhaps they will embarrass themselves somehow in front of others.
These fears cause them to feel anxious and if their anxiety builds it can lead to panic attacks and they spend their time worrying about upcoming events even those days and weeks ahead.
Causes of Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder has no single definitive root cause but we do know that certain psychological, biological and even environmental factors can be found at the root cause for starting these disorders.
Some studies have also shown that social anxiety disorder is caused by an imbalance of a neurotransmitter which is responsible for sending the information from one nerve cell to another in your brain.
What’s more this particular condition is believed to be hereditary and can be passed from a parent to their children.
Other environments that can encourage social anxiety disorder can be an over protective childhood or perhaps a humiliating experience in the past.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
People who suffer severely with social anxiety disorder will display the major symptom of SAD which is avoiding any social interaction. It begins with the reluctance to attend social functions, presentations or any situation that involves meeting people and usually grows to making excuses to avoid these occasions altogether.
The actual thought of attending these situations becomes frightening and eventually affects the individual’s everyday life including their work place as well as other environments.
As well as suffering mentally many people with social anxiety disorder will display physical symptoms such as shivering, cold and sweaty hands, excessive sweating, and other physical conditions.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step is to recognize that you have social anxiety disorder and once recognized and acknowledged you can contact your doctor. To deny you symptoms and ignore your condition can result in the disorder ruining your life both at home and work.
Whilst there is no medical test that your doctor can carry out to determine if you are suffering from social anxiety disorder he can ask relevant questions that will help him understand if indeed you are suffering with this mental illness.
The great news is that once the illness is diagnosed the treatment can be started. One of the most effective social anxiety disorder treatments is cognitive-behaviour therapy together with certain drugs that will be prescribed by your doctor.
The treatment involves getting the patient to understand the root causes of their anxiety and begin to look at perceived negative situations in a positive light by breaking the barriers down.
For those people really suffering both physically and mentally the doctor will often prescribe antidepressants. Then working with the therapist they will work on rebuilding their self-esteem and build confidence to be able to interact in social situations.
Don’t ignore the symptoms, if you believe you are suffering from social anxiety disorder there is plenty of help and treatments available.
