What To Do About Social Anxiety - The Fear of Social Situations

Social anxiety is common and, from time to time, almost everyone will feel uncomfortable in a social situation. However, social anxiety can be a problem for some people that limit their ability to live a productive life and interact with other people. This problem often appears in the teen years or early adulthood, but in some cases will not appear until later in the adult's life. It is NOT the same as simply being shy. It is the feeling of very real fear and anxiety during social situations.

A person who has social anxiety and the fear of social situations is extremely fearful; they constantly believe that other people will judge them or criticize them either publicly or behind their backs. These people often think they do not look right, that they are not dressed properly, that they will say something dumb or that they will do something to embarrass themselves – even when there is no basis whatsoever for this belief.

As a result of social anxiety, people who experience this problem tend to avoid social situations, thereby avoiding the cause of their extreme fear. If it were only that the person experiencing the social anxiety at the time of the event, some might be able to overcome that anxiety, but often the anxiety begins long before the social event occurs. The person with social anxiety may lie awake visualizing all the worst possible things that could happen to embarrass or humiliate them at the event or hearing what they believe others will think about them. The anxiety attacks of social anxiety can begin as soon as the person learns of an upcoming event or receives an invitation.

When this anxious behavior becomes social anxiety disorder is the point at which the anxiety causes an interruption in normal life. In some cases, the person who has the disorder will not be able to walk into meeting rooms where others are waiting, causing them to become unable to perform their jobs. If taken a step further, symptoms similar to agoraphobia, the fear of going outside, may become evident.

Social anxiety is not, for example, the fear of public speaking. Lots of people have that fear. It is the fear and anxiety caused by doing things that almost no one else experiences anxiety when doing. Examples are eating in public, signing their name in public, using a public restroom or in any way becoming the center of attention.

When thinking about a social situation or facing such a situation, a person may have the symptoms of a panic attack, including rapid heartbeat, shaking, sweating, reddening of the face and neck, and a belief that they are about to die. Some people will feel as if they can't move their bodies or certain parts of their bodies.

Social anxiety and the fear of social situations can be a seriously debilitating disorder. It can certain crimp a person's social life and make it difficult to travel, go to public places, and make the person desire to isolate themselves and be alone. They envision that being alone makes them safe from other's judgements and comments. They are certain that if they face others, they will embarrass themselves in some way.

Treatment is available for social anxiety and the fear of social situations. This disorder must first be diagnosed by a qualified health care practitioner, and usually is treated by a psychiatrist. Behavioral therapy has proven to be quite effective in treating social anxiety disorder, sometimes in combination with prescription medications to reduce the flight or fight response of the body.

It can be very difficult for those around the person who has social anxiety problems and fear of social situations to understand and sympathize or help them manage their disorder. Because the others in the household may be socially egregious, they may compound the problem of the one who is experiencing social anxiety. It is important for the social structure around the person with social anxiety disorder to receive education and facts about how to deal with this problem.

Social anxiety may last for a short period of time or with proper treatment may go away quickly. It can often be the result of a single bad experience that builds itself up in the mind until it overshadows all else. However, in many cases, the causes are rooted more deeply and it may require time to recover from this anxiety disorder.

If you or someone you love has exhibited what may be symptoms of social anxiety and fear of social situations that are cause impacts to living a productive, happy lifestyle, contact a qualified healthcare practitioner. You can be referred to counseling services, receive information and locate a doctor that can provide the necessary assistance to overcome this sometimes completely debilitating disorder.