| Before we look at social anxiety treatment, we need | | | | Treatment for this form of depression can take many |
| to understand what social anxiety really is. It is an | | | | forms. Most sufferers would visit their doctor first and |
| extreme form of shyness in social situations which can | | | | many doctors will prescribe common tranquilisers and |
| result in any or all of the following symptoms when | | | | in some cases steroids. However, these drugs will not |
| meeting people or being in any way in the spotlight. | | | | cure the condition, they will only mask the symptoms, if |
| - Blushing uncontrollably | | | | you're lucky and nearly all have side effects such as |
| - Sweating profusely | | | | sleeping difficulties and weight gain. |
| - Feeling breathless | | | | Fortunately, there are treatments which do not involve |
| - Butterflies in the stomach | | | | drugs. Such therapies as psychotherapy, acupuncture |
| - Raised heartbeat | | | | and hypnosis can be beneficial for some but they only |
| - Dry mouth | | | | manage the conditions, they don't get rid of it all |
| - Inability to make small talk | | | | together. |
| - Inability to look someone in the eye | | | | There's good news though, because a former sufferer |
| Most of us suffer some of these symptoms to a | | | | has created a system whereby your brain is retrained |
| lesser degree at some time or another but someone | | | | in such a way that social situations are no longer |
| with acute social anxiety will feel most of them at all | | | | perceived as a threat. That, together with training in |
| social gatherings. | | | | self motivation will enable you to control stress and |
| Socialising should be fun not terrifying, so if you fit the | | | | face every previously nerve-wracking social encounter |
| above profile, you should be seeking social anxiety | | | | with a new confidence and aplomb. |
| treatment. | | | | |