| Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) can be a debilitating | | | | become less anxiety-provoking. |
| disease, so much so that it can keep a person from | | | | Practice, practice, practice! The only way to overcome |
| achieving a functional and fulfilling life. At its mildest, it | | | | social anxiety is to develop skills in interacting with |
| can result to missed opportunities and the occasional | | | | other people. Among those skills are initiating |
| disturbance of a panic attack. But at its worst, social | | | | conversations, self-presentation, the gracious |
| anxiety can keep an individual indefinitely confined in | | | | acceptance of feedback, and conflict management. |
| isolation, forever afraid of even venturing out in public. | | | | Take time to learn these skills; you can practice in the |
| If you have Social Anxiety Disorder, or know someone | | | | comfort of your home in front of a mirror, or get a |
| who does, here are 7 simple ways that can help: | | | | soft skills trainor to give you some one-on-one |
| Know your enemy. Misconceptions about Social | | | | coaching. The more confident you get about your skills, |
| Anxiety Disorder can keep a person from getting the | | | | the better off you'd be! |
| help they deserve. Many simply dismiss it as shyness, | | | | Get support. Funny enough, the way to overcome |
| something that you can just shrug off if you just put | | | | social anxiety is to create a social network. Surround |
| your mind into it. Others will say that it's a temporary | | | | yourself with compassionate individuals who can |
| condition, and will go away in a day or two. | | | | empathize with what you are going through, and give |
| But while it's true that determined effort can help a | | | | you the encouragement that you need. |
| person deal with SAD, recovery is not as simple as | | | | It also helps to get to know people who suffer from |
| adopting a new mindset. Depending on the severity | | | | similar conditions; it can help make you feel that you |
| and chronicity of this condition, overcoming SAD may | | | | are not alone. They can also give you tips on best |
| involve intensive therapy and medication. The more | | | | practices to overcome social anxiety. The internet and |
| you know about the disease, the better informed your | | | | your local community centers are excellent ways to |
| choices would be. | | | | look for others in the same boat as you. |
| Learn relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques are | | | | Motivate yourself! Creating and sustaining energy |
| the first aid in any anxiety problem. When anxiety | | | | towards recovery is very important. The road to |
| symptoms appear, such as shortness of breath or | | | | overcoming social anxiety can have its ups and |
| pounding in your chest, you need to be able to calm | | | | downs, and you need to make sure that you don't let |
| yourself down. You need to be the one in control of | | | | the downs overwhelm you. |
| your symptoms, not the other way around. | | | | Find ways to sustain your drive. Reward yourself for |
| Some of the relaxation techniques that you can try | | | | every success, regardless of how small. Set a goal |
| are rhythmic breathing, visualization, music therapy, and | | | | that you want for yourself, and make it the benchmark |
| progressive muscle relaxation. Many also find physical | | | | of your every effort. A slow but steady road to |
| exercise, art and meditation as effective ways of | | | | recovery is always better than a haphazard plan that |
| managing stress reactions. | | | | can go nowhere. |
| Affirm yourself. Many social anxiety attacks stem | | | | Lastly, seek professional help. Despite our generally |
| from insecurity about a personal attribute or | | | | informed culture, many people still feel a stigma |
| performance. For instance, individuals scared of public | | | | attached to consulting a counselor, psychotherapist or |
| speaking often think that they'd embarrass themselves | | | | a psychiatrist. But mental health professionals are |
| if they take the microphone. Individuals who are afraid | | | | trained to deal specially with issues like social anxiety, |
| of dating situations are often anticipating rejection | | | | and you've got nothing to lose in seeking their advice. |
| because they are not good looking enough, or | | | | At best, a consultation with a mental health |
| interesting enough. But if you adapt the attitude that | | | | professional can help you create a recovery fun |
| you are a person of worth and value, and that you | | | | tailor-fitted to your needs and personality. |
| have something to offer, then social situations can | | | | |