| > | | | | * Intense anxiety in social situations. * Avoidance |
| Causes, symptoms and treatments options for social | | | | of social situations. * Physical symptoms of |
| anxiety disorder Social anxiety is an experience of | | | | anxiety, including confusion, pounding heart, sweating, |
| fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations | | | | shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach and |
| and being evaluated by others. People vary in how | | | | diarrhea.Children with this disorder may express their |
| often they experience anxiety in this way or in which | | | | anxiety by crying, clinging to a parent or throwing a |
| kinds of situations. Anxiety about public speaking, | | | | tantrum.Alternative Treatment of Social Anxiety |
| performance, or interviews is common. Social anxiety | | | | DisorderCommon Treatment of Social Anxiety |
| can be related to shyness. The experience is | | | | DisorderSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), |
| commonly described as having physiological | | | | a class of antidepressants, are considered by many to |
| components (e.g. sweating, blushing), cognitive | | | | be the first choice medication for generalised social |
| perceptual components (e.g. belief that one may be | | | | phobia.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be |
| judged negatively; looking for signs of disapproval) and | | | | helpful in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. It |
| behavioral components (e.g. avoiding a | | | | teaches people with social anxiety disorder to react |
| situation) Cognitive distortions are a hallmark, and | | | | differently to the situations that trigger their anxiety |
| learned about in CBT. Thoughts are often | | | | symptoms.Practicing these techniques regularly can |
| self-defeating and inaccurate. Some sufferers may | | | | help you manage or reduce your anxiety. You may |
| use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and | | | | need to begin with small steps in situations that aren't |
| inhibitions at social events. Social anxiety disorder may | | | | overwhelming.These techniques include: * Eating |
| co-occur with other anxiety disorders as well as | | | | with a close relative, friend or acquaintance in a public |
| depression. Additionally, people with social anxiety may | | | | setting. * Making eye contact and returning |
| develop problems with substance abuse or | | | | greetings from others, or being the first to say |
| dependence when they use drinking or drugs to | | | | hello. * Preparing for conversation. For instance, |
| "self-medicate" their symptoms. Selective serotonin | | | | read the newspaper to identify an interesting story you |
| reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, | | | | can talk about. * Giving someone a |
| are considered by many to be the first choice | | | | compliment. * Focusing on personal qualities you |
| medication for generalised social phobia. | | | | like about yourself.Social Skills Training: After avoiding |
| Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpful in | | | | certain social situations for an extended time, it is not |
| the treatment of social anxiety disorder. MAOIs and | | | | surprising that some people with social anxiety disorder |
| benzodiazepines may require more monitoring than | | | | might develop some bad habits in social situations, |
| other medications. Beta blockers are sometimes used | | | | including making poor eye contact, and engaging in |
| with performance anxiety, a specific kind of social | | | | other anxious behaviors. They may also find it difficult |
| anxiety.Causes of Social Anxiety DisorderCommon | | | | to think of what to say during a conversation or date. |
| Causes and Risk factors of Social Anxiety | | | | Or, they may lack certain basic public speaking skills. If |
| DisorderGenes.Biochemistry.Fear responses.Cultural | | | | this is the case, CBT may include social skills training as |
| factors.Environmental factors.Neurochemical and | | | | a component. Examples include teaching an individual |
| neurocognitive influences.New social or work | | | | how to make the best impression during a job |
| demands.What Are the Symptoms of Social Anxiety | | | | interview, how to be more assertive, and how to use |
| Disorder?Many people with social anxiety disorder feel | | | | nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, eye |
| that there is "something wrong," but don't recognize | | | | contact) more effectively. |
| their feeling as a sign of illness. Symptoms include: | | | | |