| Social anxiety disorder, also known as social disorder, | | | | Celexa); tricyclics (such as Tofranil and Anafranil); |
| occurs when you become exceedingly anxious and | | | | monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (such as Nardil, |
| self-conscious in normal social interactions. Social | | | | Marplan, and Parnate); high-potency benzodiazepines |
| anxiety symptoms include, but are not limited to, | | | | (such as Clonazepam, Xanax, and Ativan); and |
| experiencing emotional distress upon being introduced | | | | beta-blockers (such as Inderal). The psychotherapy |
| to new people; experiencing emotional distress while | | | | that is usually prescribed is cognitive-behavioral therapy |
| being watched by someone else while you are doing | | | | (CBT). |
| something; experiencing emotional distress while dealing | | | | CBT has been shown to be probably the best |
| with people in authority or with strangers; experiencing | | | | treatment for social anxiety. Research and also clinical |
| emotional distress due to interpersonal relationships; | | | | evidence point to sufferers receiving long-term relief |
| etc. | | | | from symptoms and in most cases, permanent |
| People who are normally perceived by others as being | | | | changes in the way they react in social situations. |
| socially backward, unfriendly, nervous, disinterested, or | | | | Therapy involves changing the way you perceive |
| aloof, are usually those who are suffering from social | | | | different social situations. Your brain creates a neural |
| anxiety disorder. These people truly want to be friendly | | | | pathway to represent the way you react to specific |
| and socially normal, but they have difficulty doing so. | | | | situations. Think of it as a path that has been cleared |
| It has been said that the underlying cause of social | | | | through a jungle. Your emotional distress in a social |
| anxiety disorder is believed to be an exaggerated | | | | situation is that path. It is easier to go down that path |
| shame response that few people with social anxiety | | | | next time you have to face a situation that causes |
| symptoms adequately conceptualize. However, usually | | | | you anxiety than clear a new path (representing a |
| people with social anxiety disorder have experienced | | | | more appropriate response in a social situation). CBT |
| at least one traumatic incident in their lives that they | | | | helps re-train the brain to create new neural pathways, |
| interpreted as being intensely shameful to them. | | | | those new paths through the social jungle. |
| Emotional distress is one of the main social anxiety | | | | One thing that you can do to help yourself deal with |
| symptoms. However, it manifests itself in a variety of | | | | your social anxiety symptoms is employ some |
| ways depending on the dreaded situation which usually | | | | self-help strategies that will supplement any |
| determined its severity and length and how it interferes | | | | professional help that you receive. One of the best |
| with normal functioning. It can be limited to one | | | | ways to take this route is through some simple lifestyle |
| particular type of event or can be broad in its display. | | | | changes. Some suggested lifestyle changes include: |
| Generally speaking, social anxiety symptoms are | | | | avoiding or limiting your caffeine intake, moderating |
| usually treated with medication and/or psychotherapy. | | | | your alcoholic beverage intake, quitting smoking, and |
| The medications usually prescribed are | | | | getting adequate amounts of sleep. Another method |
| antidepressants; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors | | | | involves using specific self-talk to induce better |
| (SSRIs) (such as Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and | | | | responses in social situations. |