CLOSER LOOK AT SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Social anxiety

People with social anxiety are always very disturbed about what they will say in front of other people. This always brings into speaking in public and also day-to-day social situations. This is more than just being timid or agitated before public speaking. The fright can set in weeks or months before an event. Some people develops phobia for one or more social situations whereas some have phobia for many social situations. This will them to avoid public situations which may include missing work or school.

Social anxiety disorder can make one to blush, sweat and feel shaky in front of people. Your heartbeats may increase and beats faster than normal. You may find it difficult to focus. When one has social anxiety disorder, he finds it difficult to engage in some social situations such as eating in public, speaking in front of people and using the same rest room with others. These social situations can cause overwhelming anxiety to them. These people are always afraid of people noticing their anxiety. Afraid that people will see them as being weak or brainless, they start avoiding contact with other people. Adults and teenagers with social anxiety disorder sees their fears as humiliation, but children don’t see it like that. They worry about being anxious. They express their anxiety by crying, throwing tantrums, or not involving themselves with unfamiliar people.  People with SAD avoids promotion in workplaces or schools so as to avoid getting involve in social situations. They tends to have few friends. They also find it difficult dating or to develop a relationships.

Causes

Exact Causes of SAD is under investigation.

Genetic predisposition.it is certain that a child of one or both timid or shy parents may inherit genetic code that render shyness.

Development. Babies start developing fear for strangers at the age of 7 months. Separation fear is quite clear in some children. Being alone can be difficult for children of 6-8 years and becomes desirable as they reaches puberty. Anxiety physical appearance and performance in school amplifies solitude life.

Chemical imbalance. Most often chemical imbalance in the brain leads to SAD. Four brain areas are responsible for our anxiety response system: brain stem, limbic system (mood and anxiety), prefrontal cortex (assesses risk and danger), motor cortex (control of muscles). Any chemical imbalance in the neurotransmitters supplying this structures can lead to SAD.

Treatment:

Treatment for SAD involves psychological counselling and use antidepressant medication to reduce anxiety and depression associated with it. Therapy-cognitive-behavioral therapy is the best approach in treating SAD. This cognitive-behavioral therapy helps the person to overcome his nervousness and the situations that trigger the nervousness. It is certain that fears associated with social anxiety can be overcome.

Exposure therapy. The person is being guided by a professional counselor to imagine facing the feared situation till he stops to fear again like eating in public. The counselor may escort the person to a public place and eat till the person now eats by himself in public without the fear.

Social skills training. This therapy helps you in forming the skills required in social situations through reciting and role-playing. Your anxiety reduced and you now become comfortable with and ready for the feared situation.