Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is not about being shy awkward introverted or on the spectrum, it's about wanting connection struggling with attention, and fearing rejection.18 of the people in your community are experiencing a social anxiety disorder, that's a lot of people! If you think about a class of 20 students, at least 4 of them are going to be experiencing social anxiety disorder. It starts early too, about 50 of the people who develop social anxiety disorder do so by age 11 and then 80 have developed it by age 20.

What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?

People who have Social Anxiety Disorder, experience a lot of fear when they think people are looking at them or when they feel like they're performing in front of others. It is also called Social Phobia.

Things, like large groups or brand-new situations, can trigger feelings of anxiety that might feel so intense that they are paralyzing. As a result, the person might not want to engage in certain activities or experiences.

For some people, their feelings and reactions might be much more intense than for others. But it's not their fault. They can't just turn off their feelings or get over it.

What Are the Types of Social Anxiety Disorder?

There are three types of social anxiety disorder, also referred to as social phobia. A person with any of the following types of social anxiety disorders experiences an extreme fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in certain social situations. These types include:

Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder: A person fears and avoids almost all social interactions including meeting new people, going to parties, being singled out, or being in the limelight.

Specific Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear concerning specific events, for example, speaking in public, eating before others, or using public washrooms.

Performance-only Social Anxiety: Performance anxiety in situations such as when performing in front of an audience, but not in normal social activities like going out with friends to eat.

What Are the Causes of Social Anxiety Disorders?

It’s unclear what causes social anxiety disorder, however, the current research suggests that it is a combination of genetic, brain, and environmental factors. For eg- a family history of the disorder or being exposed to neglect or abuse.

Brain Structure -The Amygdala is a structure in the brain that controls fear, response, and feelings or thoughts of anxiety, if overactive may also cause the disorder.

Genetics Factors that can put an individual at a greater risk of developing the disorder, may include having a close relative with a social anxiety disorder.

Environmental Factor Negative experiences in childhood such as bullying, rejection, family conflict, sexual abuse, or any other traumatic or humiliating social experiences. Children raised in controlling or overprotective environments can also develop a social anxiety disorder.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorders?

The symptoms of social anxiety disorders can sometimes be so subtle, that you're not even aware of what's going on. You may have even brushed off your social anxiety as a bad stomachache or blamed it on a lack of sleep but, it's important to be aware and recognize some of the signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorders, so you can get the support and help you need:-

You worry about everyday activities - Do you feel anxious whenever you need to go out? When you have a social anxiety disorder, it can feel daunting and overwhelming to complete normal tasks. This may include meeting new people and starting conversations with others. Speaking on the phone going to work, or doing daily tasks such as grocery shopping where other people are present in numbers.

Avoiding and worrying about social activities - Are you nervous around other people? Whether it's because you feel claustrophobic around crowds or feel that other people are judging you when you're out. People with social anxiety may go out of their way to avoid activities that involve a lot of people this may include any social gatherings, engaging in group conversations, and socializing at events.

Blushing and excessive sweating - Have you found yourself trembling or sweating a lot when you're in a social situation? Sometimes your social anxiety disorder may manifest itself through physical symptoms like excessive blushing or sweating. This can sometimes be linked to an intense fear of embarrassment especially when in the presence of other people. Other symptoms may include feeling sick, trembling or experiencing heart palpitations.

You may experience panic attacks - Do you experience sudden, intense fear or panic in public? In a more extreme case, you may end up experiencing panic attacks when out in public you might find yourself sweating, shaking, having problems breathing properly, and experiencing an overall sense of dread or doom. This overwhelming fear can last several minutes to an hour, depending on how severe it is, and can be quite a scary experience.

An overwhelming fear of being criticized - Can you healthily take criticism? Instead of seeing criticism as a way to improve, you may experience intense dread or anxiety about being rejected, or criticized. This can end up impacting your self-esteem and your interpersonal skills, where you end up having poor eye contact, closed body language, and a tendency to avoid other people.

Feeling like you're being judged and watched - Do you feel like you're being watched by others like your peers, colleagues, or strangers? Maybe you feel like every one of your actions is being monitored, or that you're being judged by everything that you're doing. This anxiety you feel in public may cause you to become cautious, and distant from others and may make it more difficult for you to complete tasks in the presence of others.

Expecting the worst-case scenario - Do you always think about all the things that could go wrong even if your friends have told you that? It isn't as bad as you believe it to be whether it's a presentation, meeting, or just seeing some old friends. Your brain just seems to focus on the worst possible outcome of every situation, this constant thinking of how bad everything can end up can be intensifying and worsening your anxiety and dread to the point of causing a panic attack.

How Can Social Anxiety Disorders be Diagnosed?

For a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder, certain conditions must be met: a marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. The examples include social interactions being observed and performing in front of others. It is important to understand that different diagnostic manuals help physicians such as psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.

A clinical examination is conducted to determine if there might be any underlying medical reason or any medication that may cause anxiety.

Talking about your symptoms, their frequency, and the conditions under which you experience them.

Check whether a list of specific situations causes you anxiety

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Personal questionnaires provide information about the symptoms of social anxiety.

DSM-5 criteria for social anxiety disorder include:

• Extreme or lasting fear of social situations because you think others may judge you unfavourably, embarrass or humiliate you.
• Such situations include avoiding any social event that causes a feeling of anxiety or the occurrence of such a situation with excessive fear.
• They are thoughts that are perceived to be unreasonably true or fear which has no proper basis or its severity is not expected.
• Any level of distress that interferes with your functioning in daily activities.
• A phobia is an overreaction to fear or anxiety that is not associated with any ailments, use of drugs, or alcohol.

Common Myths about Social Anxiety Disorder

Several myths and misperceptions surround social anxiety disorder.

Myth: Social anxiety disorder is the same as being shy.

Fact: Shyness is a normal personality trait that involves feeling uncomfortable around new people or in social situations social anxiety disorder on the other hand is a mental health condition that's characterized by intense anxiety and fear of being judged or negatively evaluated by other people.

Myth: Social anxiety disorder is just a phase that people go through and people with social anxiety just need to grow out of it.

Fact: The reality is social anxiety disorder can be a persistent condition. Many people with social anxiety disorder have had symptoms of social anxiety disorder in social situations for many years, often developing their social anxiety back in their childhood so it's something that people can experience for years if not their entire lives.

Myth: People with social anxiety disorder are just overreacting, they're just being overly dramatic!

Fact: People with social anxiety disorder experience these high levels of anxiety and associated physical symptoms in response to social situations even if they know they're not actually in danger.

Myth: People with social anxiety disorder are just weak or pathetic!

Fact: This myth lacks any sense of empathy or compassion for people! The reality is people with social anxiety disorder are some of the strongest and most resilient people you'll ever meet. A person with a social anxiety disorder has to live in a world where they are constantly surrounded by people who constantly face social interactions that could potentially flare up their anxiety.

Living with Social Anxiety Disorder

Living with social anxiety disorder means that even simple interaction with others makes you shiver, feel dizzy, and afraid of negative judgment.

Living with Social Anxiety Disorder

Living with social anxiety disorder means that even simple interaction with others makes you shiver, feel dizzy, and afraid of negative judgment.

Talk with a therapist

First of all, it is advisable to seek professional help. Your therapist may suggest that you attend group therapy sessions or support groups, in which you can learn how to engage in social activities and be with other individuals who are also struggling with social anxiety disorder. A therapist can also refer you to a psychiatrist, who can then prescribe medication for social anxiety disorders.

2. Explore your triggers of social anxiety disorders

Coping with social anxiety is enormously challenging since it manifests differently in different people. Knowing when and why, you experience anxiety is helpful in the first steps towards managing and overcoming it. First, write down circumstances that make you feel most uncomfortable, the ones that are seemingly the most unbearable.

Discuss and perform role-play activities with closed ones

This means that it may be useful to be ready for how you would react if certain situations occur through a role-play with your close ones.

How to Support Your Loved One with Social Affective Disorder?

1. Acknowledge their emotions

One should try to work with the emotions. Remember they are anxious and instead of confronting them, be gentle with them. Assure them that the distressed feeling that they are experiencing shall pass and is normal.

2. Focus on their feelings

Do not question why the person is anxious. Rather, ask them how they feel. Remind them to include their symptoms in the list. Allow the sufferer the freedom to express pain and suffering without interfering. If they’re crying, let them cry, and if they want to dance, let them dance too without the feeling that they are being foolish. It will help to relieve the pressure faster.

3. Use methods of distraction

Maybe try walking together, reading a book, or playing a game. This will help to divert the attention of the anxious brain and this will help the person to relax on their own. It is also enjoyable for all.

4. Be patient

It takes time for the feeling of anxiety to subside. Do not get angry with the person or shout at him/her. Do not talk to the victims attempt to calm them or make them comprehend the situation until the attack is at its worst phase.

Why choose Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre for the treatment

Any person with Social Anxiety Disorder or anyone you know who is complaining of the symptoms should consider coming to our recovery centre. Our rehabilitation centre provides patients with the best possible quality of generalized anxiety disorder that helps the patient gain the needed results as soon as possible. Our Social Anxiety Disorder treatment plans are personalized and evidence-driven and we also do not lose sight of the fact that the patients have issues. The aimed treatment plan acts holistically to manage stress and assist the patients gain their confidence back. We also offer counselling, which involves finding the source of the problem and encouraging the client to get more determined. We must ensure that clients achieve the best physiological and psychological health possible.

Statistics about Social Anxiety Disorder

According to the NIMH report, Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million adults, or 7% of the population at some point in their lives during a given year. SAD is recognized to affect both males and females equally and it has been found that children are often diagnosed with SAD at the age of thirteen. Research conducted in 2007 by ADAA indicated that people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder - stated that they had experienced their symptoms for 10 years and even longer.