| Most of us have fears of getting up and | | | | teen years, although it can actually be seen |
| speaking in public. Many people dont like to | | | | in children younger than ten. It is more |
| go to gatherings where they dont know anyone. | | | | prevalent in women than men and can be |
| But while most of us soldier on, those with | | | | hereditary. No single cause has been |
| social anxiety disorder are often stopped | | | | identified for social anxiety disorder. |
| cold in their tracks by the terror and worry | | | | However, theories exist that it is linked to |
| such events instill in them. | | | | an imbalance of serotonin in the brain. |
| | | | |
| Research shows that around fifteen million | | | | Social anxiety disorder should not be |
| Americans suffer from social anxiety | | | | confused with panic disorder. Panic disorder |
| disorder. People with this condition feel | | | | sufferers believe that they are facing a |
| that they are constantly being watched. Even | | | | physical danger. Social anxiety disorder |
| though they know that these fears are | | | | patients, even thought they may have a panic |
| unreasonable, social anxiety disorder | | | | attack and suffer physical symptoms, are |
| patients cannot overcome their fears on their | | | | aware that their anxiety stems from |
| own. | | | | irrational fears. |
| | | | |
| Intense blushing, profuse sweating, trembling | | | | Those with social anxiety disorder are more |
| and nausea are the physical symptoms of | | | | likely to have substance abuse problems as |
| social anxiety disorder. They agonize over | | | | well. They may rely on alcohol or other drugs |
| every word said in public and can even | | | | (not prescribed for the disorder) to help |
| uncomfortable around friends and family. Some | | | | them lose their inhibitions. Most also suffer |
| are only completely at ease in their own | | | | from depression. |
| company. | | | | |
| | | | An important step in overcoming social |
| Social anxiety disorder sufferers are often | | | | anxiety disorder is seeking out a therapist |
| misdiagnosed with conditions such as | | | | who specializes in treating this type of |
| schizophrenia, bi-polar, and personality | | | | disorder. Group treatment has been shown to |
| disorders. Many feel alone, unsure that | | | | be especially effective. Medication can also |
| anyone else can even understand their | | | | help reduce the symptoms of social anxiety |
| thoughts and emotions. This can lead to | | | | disorder, but it should definitely not be |
| withdrawal from most social situations, even | | | | used as a replacement for psychotherapy. |
| to the extent of being unable to hold | | | | |
| employment. | | | | On your own, you can help reduce symptoms of |
| | | | social anxiety disorder by taking deep |
| Those who suffer from social anxiety disorder | | | | breaths and practicing medication or prayer. |
| are often dismissed as being shy. This simply | | | | Alcohol and nicotine should be avoided, as |
| is not the case; shyness is not even a | | | | both can cause panic attacks. Exercise can |
| criterion for social anxiety disorder. The | | | | alleviate the symptoms of social anxiety |
| majority of sufferers find their symptoms | | | | disorder, because it burns up the chemicals |
| linked to specific situations, rather than | | | | in your body that cause stress, such as |
| all types of social interactions. | | | | adrenaline and cortisol. It also boosts your |
| | | | bodys creation of serotonin, which is a great |
| Social anxiety disorder often appears in the | | | | defense to social anxiety disorder. |