An Explanation Of Social Anxiety

It is not unusual to feel somewhat anxious or apprehensive about meeting new people in social settings. However, those suffering with social anxiety take that mild apprehension to a whole new level. People with social anxiety actually change the way they live to accommodate their intense stress and fear. We will provide a basic understanding of social anxiety, including how to identify the disorder and what patients suffering with the condition can do to make life a little easier.


The symptoms of social anxiety are somewhat varied, with each person suffering from the disorder experiencing signs in different ways. The primary irrational fear involved with social anxiety is a distress over social situations due to a fear of judgment by those around you. Many with social anxiety harbor a deep-seeded fear that those around them will laugh at them or that they will embarrass themselves. The fear evolves into an unwillingness to participate in many social activities to prevent the inevitable judgment and embarrassment.


Along with these fears and avoidance of social situations, physical symptoms can appear when you are forced into social situations that frighten you. Some of these physical signs might include heart palpitations, profuse sweating, stomach upset and trembling. When you interact with others, you might have difficulty making eye contact with them and you may find that your voice shakes when you try to speak.


When you deal with social anxiety, you often also have to grapple with self esteem issues and the inability to accept any type of criticism. Most people with social anxiety understand that their fears and anxieties are not logical, but they can\\\'t do anything to stop them. People begin to fear social situations of all kinds, and that fear can become a source of the anxiety all by itself. When social anxiety begins to dominate your life and get in the way of your relationships and daily activities, it is time to talk to a doctor.


Those suffering with social anxiety will be happy to know that this disorder does have effective treatment options, including psychotherapy and medication. For medication, most doctors will begin by prescribing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor like Paxil or Prozac.The most effective psychotherapy technique is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps the patient alter thought processes to reduce the fear of social situations. The combination of psychotherapy and medication allows many social anxiety sufferers to enjoy less anxiety and a higher quality of life.