Exploring Severe Social Anxiety Disorder
If you (or someone close to you) is facing symptoms of social anxiety disorder, know the symptoms are treatable and can be improved with appropriate interventions. Once social anxiety disorder is diagnosed, a mental health professional can help provide strategies to overcome social anxiety symptoms. In this article, you will learn strategies on how to manage severe social anxiety symptoms and how to reach out for professional assistance when it is needed. We’ll also explain symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and resources to help people with social anxiety or social phobia find mental health support.
What is social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, belongs to a broad group of anxiety-based disorders and is characterized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by intense fear or anxiety in one or more social situations where the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. Other anxiety disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobia-specific disorders.
What are the symptoms of social anxiety?
- Sweating and blushing
- Avoiding eye contact
- Rapid heart rate
- Tremors
- Muscle tension and stiff posture
- Dizziness or shortness of breath
- “Blanking out” mentally.
- Nausea and stomach pain
Exploring the potential causes and roots
Like the other types of anxiety disorders, social anxiety can have many different causes involving a complex interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. For example, having family members with a history of mental disorders may be a potential risk factor. A study that looked at genetic risk variants for social anxiety in twins confirmed a heritable basis for social anxiety. However, research scientists in the study were unable to establish a correlation between common traits of social anxiety disorder, such as neuroticism and introversion.
Social anxiety disorder may also be traced to a person’s experiences growing up and their social environment at school or home. Traumatic events in personal relationships, such as bullying, teasing, and abuse at a young age or during a person’s teenage years, may be a factor in developing social anxiety disorder later on. Overly controlling parents may also contribute to the disorder during a person’s early years of social development.
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.
While shyness is not indicative of social anxiety, it is also thought that the trait of shyness may be involved in its development. This disorder may show up around the age of 13, which is a typical age when adolescents are trying to fit in with their peers. Certain events during a person’s development can also impact their self-esteem and lead to feelings of embarrassment and self-consciousness that persist long after the events occurred. Oftentimes, these feelings of social anxiety continue for fear that they will live through them again.
Another cause of social anxiety disorder can be related to the neurological system. There are certain areas of the brain that can make people more susceptible to anxiety, and this, combined with all the potential social and environmental factors, can lead to social anxiety. For example, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a significant component of the nervous system that controls the stress response.
How to treat anxiety symptoms
Treatment interventions for social anxiety disorder symptoms vary depending on your unique history and the severity of your symptoms. Treatment typically includes therapy, medications, or a combination of both. Understanding the causes of social anxiety and why you experience the symptoms that you do is crucial when treating social phobia.
Talk therapy
Social anxiety therapy can help you through the self-discovery process of why you think and react to situations. Psychotherapy is highly recommended for the treatment of social anxiety disorder and may include various types, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Group therapy
Though social anxiety group therapy may sound overwhelming to someone with social anxiety, it has been shown to help in lessening the symptoms. Group therapy is a safe place to find support from other people struggling with the same condition.
Medication
Where can I find a therapist for mental health support?
Many mental health professionals, such as counselors and therapists, specialize in social anxiety disorder psychotherapy treatments. If you are looking for professional support, be sure to look for a therapist who specializes in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. They most likely will offer some sort of talk therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy or a similar psychological treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety and talk-therapy, in general, can be provided in-person and face-to-face with a professional, or it can be carried out online. Both are viable methods for treating social anxiety disorder, and it is ultimately your choice which one you prefer.
Online therapy can be a highly available option for people who are living with social anxiety and increased stress. You can attend therapy sessions in a space where you feel most comfortable without having to commute to and from a physical office.
Online therapy treatment for anxiety disorders
Research also supports online therapy as being equally effective as in-person therapy for people managing social anxiety with the added benefits of convenience and availability. For example, a study published in Cogent Psychology examined the effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral therapy for college students with social anxiety disorder.
Takeaway
What is severe social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, can affect individuals in different ways. Someone with severe social anxiety likely experiences more intense fear and negative thoughts in social situations compared to someone with mild social anxiety, who may experience fewer symptoms of the disorder.
Is severe social anxiety a disability?
Social anxiety disorder can be a disability. Those who have social anxiety are sometimes unable to work due to their symptoms, which may allow them to qualify for assistance.
How do I stop severe social anxiety disorder?
Severe social anxiety can be so bad that it can have a significant negative impact on a person’s life. Understanding your social anxiety, or working with a therapist to understand what may trigger social anxiety, is often the first step in addressing the disorder. From there, you can learn how to stay calmer in social situations going forward, potentially with the help of social anxiety medications. Those who have their social anxiety disorder treated with medication or therapy will likely find at least some relief from symptoms.
What are the identifying manifestations of crippling social anxiety?
Crippling social anxiety feels like more than just shyness. People who suffer from severe social anxiety may lack social skills, but they may also experience an intense fear of being judged or humiliated when interacting with other people. Some signs and symptoms of social anxiety include blushing, sweating, tremors, avoiding eye contact, fast heart rate, nausea, dizziness, and muscle tension. Some people may also have panic attacks in social situations.
Is social anxiety a form of autism?
Autism and social anxiety are two separate conditions, but the two can overlap. The two may appear to have similar symptoms, but autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that appears in early childhood, whereas social anxiety is an anxiety disorder that can occur at any time.
What happens to your mental health if social anxiety is left untreated?
When social anxiety is untreated, it may take control of your life, with the extreme shyness making you experience difficulty going to work, school, or socializing with people. You may even avoid going places like restaurants or the grocery store to avoid social interaction. This sort of isolation may lead to worsening symptoms, depression, general anxiety, and even substance abuse.
How is severe social anxiety diagnosed?
First, your primary care doctor will likely do a physical exam and blood work to rule out any physical conditions that may be causing or contributing to your social anxiety. According to the Diagnostic and Statstical Manual 5, someone must meet several criteria to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, including:
- Repeated and continual fear of social situations
- Avoidance of feared social situations
- Fear of social situations that is out of proportion with the actual situation
- The fear causes significant clinical distress and affects normal functioning
- The fear lasts for more than six months
What is the best medication for social anxiety?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are often used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, can be used to treat social anxiety. Other anti anxiety medications like beta blockers can also be helpful for those experiencing social anxiety, as beta blockers can decrease the occurrence of physical symptoms like sweating, shaking, and rapid heart rate.
What is the root cause of social anxiety?
Anyone can experience social anxiety disorder, but it may be more likely to occur in people with low self-esteem, those with adverse childhood experiences, or those with specific brain abnormalities. Research shows social anxiety may be genetic, so if you have a family member who experiences the condition, you may be more likely to have it yourself.
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