| If you suffer from social anxiety disorder then you | | | | their anxieties and the situations that provoke the |
| may be wondering what treatment is right for you. It | | | | anxiety. This may feel a little uneasy on your part, |
| is important that you understand your social anxiety | | | | but this is an important part for a successful |
| disorder so that you can treat it and ultimately cure | | | | recovery. |
| yourself of it. | | | | Treatment may include several types of |
| Social anxiety is a psychological condition which | | | | cognitive-behavioral therapy, like: |
| causes overwhelming fear of situations or events | | | | Exposure therapy- you will be guided by a |
| that require social interaction or performance in front | | | | professional counselor to imagine you are facing your |
| of other people. | | | | feared situation until such time, you will no longer fear |
| The anxiety often activates physical symptoms such | | | | it, such as going to public places. |
| as blushing, rapid heart beat, sweating, difficulty | | | | Cognitive restructuring- helps you learn to identify |
| concentrating, dizziness, and many others and that | | | | and improve thinking patterns in order for you to |
| can interfere with daily activities and socializing. And if | | | | cope up with social events. |
| this condition worsens, like keeps on recurring for | | | | Symptom management skills- this teaches you how |
| more than six months and in most days than not | | | | to minimize stress by using proper breathing |
| without any reasonable explanations, this can become | | | | techniques and other physical responses to anxiety. |
| an immobilizing disorder. | | | | Supportive therapy- this type of therapy may include |
| A person with this disorder may fear social events | | | | education about the illness, family therapy- to support |
| and may result to being home-bound. But, there is | | | | loved ones with this condition, and group therapy or |
| cure to this illness. Social anxiety disorder treatment | | | | support groups- to seek support from others who |
| includes professional counseling and anxiety | | | | have the same condition. |
| medications. | | | | Medications for social anxiety disorder include: |
| Treatments such as psychological counseling and | | | | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are |
| medications, such as antidepressants which help | | | | often the first type of medication; |
| reduce associated anxiety and depression, are both | | | | Benzodiazepines are for relieving anxiety and not for |
| effective to those with this condition. The initial | | | | those with drug problems; |
| treatment is based on the severity of your emotional | | | | Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) for relieving |
| and physical symptoms and your ability to function in | | | | depression and anxiety; |
| daily life activities. | | | | Beta-blockers are taken to reduce anxiety and |
| People with social anxiety condition usually also have | | | | seldom used to treat anxiety symptoms like rapid |
| depression. In, addition, they may have problems with | | | | heart beat; |
| alcohol and substance abuse, therefore, your health | | | | Venlafaxine helps relieve anxiety and depression; |
| professional may ask certain questions to know | | | | Ongoing treatment usually includes continuous |
| whether how severe your drinking or drug abuse can | | | | psychological counselling and regular checkups to |
| be. Usually, it goes undetected for years before | | | | monitor if medications must be added to your |
| treatment is sought and by that time, you may have | | | | treatment. Regular and continuous treatments are |
| developed behaviors that give room for the fears. | | | | the best approach to treat your anxiety. There are |
| Types of counseling of social anxiety disorder | | | | many ways to treat social anxiety disorder |
| treatment may include: | | | | treatment, some of which may surprise you. |
| Cognitive-behavioral therapy- helps sufferers identify | | | | |