An Overview of Social Anxiety
Social anxiety extends beyond just shyness.
It is common for many people to feel nervous in some social situations. For example, you may get the jitters when meeting the board of directors in a company, or giving a presentation in class.
As opposed to shyness, Social Anxiety Disorder (also known as social phobia) causes extreme anxiety, which leads to avoidance of situations that trigger their anxiety. Therefore, day-to-day interaction is thwarted because of embarrassment and fear of being judged by others.
What is Social anxiety disorder (SAD)?
As described by The National Health Service, Social Anxiety Disorder is a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations.
Causes
The exact cause of SAD remains unknown. However, scientists are of the opinion that the condition results from environmental and genetic factors.
Over-activity of the amygdala–a brain structure responsible for stress or fear responses-is linked to genetic causes of Social Anxiety Disorder. Individuals struggling with SAD are more inclined to have an exaggerated fright response which leads to elevated anxiety.
Environmental factors known to cause SAD are, but not limited to:
- Having overly critical parent(s)
- Being bullied at a tender age
- Being sexually abused
- A shy, or withdrawn character as a kid
Symptoms
A report by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) shows that the average age of onset for social anxiety disorder is during the teenage years.
Individuals suffering from SAD know that their fear is immensely exaggerated to the actual situation. Nonetheless, they are still unable to manage their anxiety.
Symptoms of SAD usually fall into three categories; physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms.
Examples of physical symptoms:
· Trembling voice
· Sweating
· Heart pounding
· Blurred vision
· Shortness of breath
· Muscle tension
· Diarrhea
. Chest tightness
· Lump in the throat
Examples of behavioral symptoms:
- Avoidance: Refers to things done or not done to minimize the anxiety of being in social situations. For instance, quitting a subject in which you were to give a presentation.
- Use of safety behaviors: Refers to measures taken to limit anxiety in social situations. For example, practicing sentences before saying them out loud.
- Escaping situations: Refers to leaving from a dreaded social situation. For example, leaving a meeting early.
Examples of cognitive behaviors:
· Negative thoughts: Negatively evaluating yourself in social situations.
- Negative beliefs: Strongly held beliefs about your insufficiency in social situations.
- Negative bias: A propensity for disregarding your own positive social experiences and amplifying the social capabilities of others.
Treatment
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that “Despite the availability of effective treatments, fewer than 5% of people living with social anxiety disorder seek treatment in the year following initial onset and more than a third of people report symptoms for 10 or more years before seeking help.”
The problem with Social phobia, however, is that if left untreated, it takes a toll on various aspects of the lives of individuals suffering from it.
Medication and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are widely used to treat SAD.
Drugs used to treat Social Anxiety Disorder include:
- Benzodiazepines
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Beta-blockers
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Additionally, there are technology-based treatment programs such as virtual reality exposure therapy.
Self-help strategies supplement the methods mentioned above.
Examples of self-help strategies include:
· Aromatherapy
. Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, deep breathing.
- Tracking your negative thoughts and replacing them with affirmative ones
- Gradually exposing yourself to dreaded situations
- Enrolling in self-help courses or reading self-help books
- Connecting with others through online forums
- Practicing self-care through eating right and exercising
Wrapping it Up
SAD is not a sign of inferiority. Fortunately, it is a manageable condition. Reaching out for help from a professional will significantly improve your quality of life.
