Learn The Truth About Social Anxiety Disorder

If you are uncomfortable in social situations, to the point where you become almost immobilized with fear, then you may suffer from social anxiety disorder. This is not the typical feeling of shyness everybody experiences from time to time. It can be a truly devastating situation for many, so take the panic attack and find out now.

If you can’t leave your house because you are fearful of running into people that may embarrass you, judge you, or stare at you, then you have a symptom of social anxiety disorder. Being afraid of pending humiliation from even strangers is not a normal fear that most people experience on a daily basis, but those with social anxiety disorder feel this way nearly always. Another name for social anxiety is social phobia, both are used nearly interchangeably for the same symptoms.

Living with social anxiety is a terrifying thing for those who suffer from it, and can lead to panic attacks at times. An irrational fear of going anywhere in public is only part of it though, some are even afraid to talk with strangers over the phone due to their extreme fear of humiliation from others. Most are afraid of any interaction with people since this may put them in a position of being judged, getting unwanted attention, or even ridicule. This is not a logical or normal reaction, but their distorted view of the world causes them to suffer these delusions anyway. Their physical symptoms can include fast heart rate, confusion, sweating, muscle tension, upset stomach, and extreme shaking of the body.

What can be done to help overcome social anxiety disorder? There are therapies to help those who suffer from social anxiety disorder, most commonly something called cognitive behavior therapy or CBT. In this therapy a patient will be slowly subjected to the very situations that cause them fear, but are first given ways of coping so they can better deal with them. The exposure to these situations comes first in the doctor or therapists office, and then gradually into a more public environment to systematically desensitize the patient and help them overcome their terror of public areas.

Also some medications care given for extreme cases of social anxiety, such as Paxil (an anti-depressant), Xanax (tranquilizer) and newer drugs like Paxil, or other beta blockers. These are only used as a temporary device normally though along with therapy, until the patient can better handle certain situations.

Unfortunately there is no known cause of anxiety attack, it can strike at any time. Some doctors link it to an imbalance of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, but it can also be caused by environmental factors as well. If you think you may suffer from this disorder, seek help and get your life back on track, as it rarely goes away by itself and can only get worse.