| Social Anxiety Disorder is a serious problem, and | | | | to a cure. Some medications actually put a different |
| should be treated as soon as the symptoms become | | | | kind of stress on the patient. Individuals can become |
| apparent. If it's not treated early, then the stress of | | | | addicted to the medication and ultimately use it as a |
| S.A.D. and other effects can start to take a heavy toll | | | | crutch instead of getting the treatment they really |
| on the sufferer. It could even manifest itself into other | | | | need. |
| serious conditions. Here are three great tips to help | | | | Everyone wants the instant fix, or the immediate cure. |
| you beat this illness. | | | | While these are obviously nice to have they are not |
| 1. Look into Cognitive-Behavior Therapy | | | | always long term fixes. Becoming dependent on |
| This type of therapy is where the patient works under | | | | medication will likely not give the individual the self |
| the supervision of a licensed professional. As of right | | | | respect and long term satisfaction of knowing they |
| now this is the most effective known treatment | | | | worked through and understand their disorder |
| available. Everyone is different and by working with a | | | | themselves. Often just by working on themselves the |
| psychologist, or behavior therapist the patient is | | | | person can find a more permanent solution to their |
| assured of the personal attention required. The goal is | | | | disorder. |
| to help the patient start with small steps to guide them | | | | 3. How about going the Self-Help route |
| to better understand what is going on in their mind. | | | | While the plethora of self help books on the bookstore |
| It is also a process whereby the therapist helps the | | | | shelves would imply that anyone can heal themselves |
| patient work through situations which cause him/her | | | | by reading a book, you must keep in mind reading |
| anxiety. In a way the therapist is helping to re-program | | | | alone likely won't solve anything. It's the taking action |
| the patient to see the situations differently that before. | | | | from what is learned in the book/s that will result in the |
| The triggers which caused anxiety and pain are slowly | | | | healing. So while reading books, or articles like this one |
| desensitized and the patient learns to feel comfortable | | | | is a good thing, depending on where you are you may |
| in situations which previously caused anxiety and | | | | need more. |
| stress. | | | | What's most important to remember about social |
| 2. Medication alone isn't the cure! | | | | anxiety disorder is to diagnose the problem early and |
| Many people believe the only cure for this disorder is | | | | start treatment as soon as possible. Please consider |
| medication, and therefore do not seek the treatment | | | | consulting with a health care practitioner to learn the |
| they so desperately need. While medication has its role | | | | best approach for you as an individual. |
| in the healing process it is by no means the only route | | | | |