What is Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder, and
who does it affect?
Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder, is an anxiety disorder in which the person feels an overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Social phobia is sometimes limited to only one type of situation, such as talking to members of the opposite gender, fear of speaking in public, eating or drinking in front of others, or in severe cases the person may experience symptoms almost anytime they are around people.
Social phobia affects about 15 million American adults. Women and men are equally likely to develop social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder usually begins in childhood or early adolescence. According to research Social Anxiety Disorder may run in families. Social phobia is often accompanied by other anxiety disorders or depression, and substance abuse often develops when people try to self-medicate their anxiety.
Manifestation's of Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder:
Social phobia,
or social anxiety disorder, is characterized by people become overwhelmingly anxious and excessively self-conscious in everyday,
or specific social situations. People with social phobia have fear of being watched and judged by others and of doing things
which may embarrass them. They can worry for extended periods of time before the
dreaded situation is to occur. This fear may become intense enough that it interferes with
every day activities such as: work, school, and other activities. It can make it
difficult to make and keep friends, much less find intimate partners.
Making Treatment More Effective
For
all anxiety disorders: Joining
a self-help or support group and sharing problems and accomplishments with
others is often helpful; however with social phobia it may not initially be
possible and should be considered part of exposure therapy which means your
professionally trained psychotherapist should help you make this leap. Self help
groups can include Internet chat rooms, however advice
received over the Internet should be taken with a double helping of caution;
especially be leery of anyone who may have a hidden agenda such as "this
brand name medication is the answer accept no substitute". Talking with
trusted friends, family, or member of the clergy can also provide support, but
is no substitute for care from a mental health professional.
Stress management techniques such as: meditation, progressive muscle relaxation,
autogenic relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, and biofeedback can be very helpful.
to calm and may enhance the effects of therapy. There is evidence that aerobic exercise may have a calming effect.
About the Author: Donald W. Ahrens Jr, PMH-NP, A.R.N.P. is a
psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who provides full spectrum psychiatric service
(both psychotherapy and medication therapy) to the people of Wichita and the
surrounding metropolitan area.
The family unit can be very important in the recovery process of patients with
any anxiety disorder. Ideally, family should be supportive, but not help perpetuate
the symptoms. Family members should never trivialize the disorder, or expect improvement without treatment.