Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
It’s normal to feel nervous in some social situations. For example, when going on a date for the first time or giving an important presentation in front of many people. However, in people with social phobia, which is also known as social anxiety disorder, daily interactions can cause high anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and the like because they feel they are being watched or judged by other people.
In those who experience social phobia, fear and anxiety can make a person do various avoidances that will interfere with life. Severe stress can affect daily routines, work, education and other activities.
Social phobia is a chronic mental health condition. However, the problem can be overcome by training mechanisms through psychotherapy techniques, as well as medication as needed. Self-confidence and the ability to interact with people with social phobia can also be improved.
Symptom
Shyness or discomfort in certain situations is not always a sign of social phobia, especially in children. The degree of comfort in social situations varies widely, depending on the personality and previous life experiences. There are groups of people who tend to be more closed and some are more open.
Therefore, in contrast to general nervousness, social phobia generally includes fear, anxiety, and avoidance that can affect daily routines, work, education, or other activities. Social phobia usually begins when a person is in the early or mid-adolescent stages, although it can also appear in childhood or adulthood.
Those with social phobia also have a tendency to avoid certain social situations. Examples include interacting with strangers, attending a party or social gathering, going to work or school, starting a conversation, making eye contact, going on a date, entering a room when people are already seated, eating in front of others, or using the toilet. general.
Social phobia can change over time. This condition can also worsen when someone with social phobia faces high pressure or stress.
Some of the emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms of social phobia are:
- Fear of situations where one feels judged.
- Worried that he risks embarrassing himself.
- Fear of interacting or talking to people you don’t know.
- The fear that other people will realize that he is feeling anxious.
- Fear of physical signs of embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling, or having a weak voice.
- Avoiding doing things like talking to other people out of embarrassment.
- Avoiding situations where the person is the center of attention.
- Feeling anxious when having to deal with a dreaded activity or event.
- Undergoing social situations with great fear or anxiety.
- Analyze a recently undertaken social activity to evaluate one’s own performance and identify mistakes made.
Some of the physical signs and symptoms of social phobia are:
- blush
- Fast heart rate
- Shiver
- Sweating
- Abdominal pain or nausea
- It’s hard to breathe
- feeling dizzy
- Strained muscles
Reason
Like many other mental health conditions, social phobia is believed to result from a complex interaction between biological and environmental factors. Some possible causes are:
- Inherited traits. Anxiety disorders generally run in families. However, it is not known clearly, the magnitude of the proportion involving genetic factors and the proportion resulting from behavior learned from the environment.
- Brain structure. A structure in the brain called the amygdala is known to play a role in controlling the response to fear. Those with an active amygdala can have a heightened response to fear. As a result, they also experience high anxiety in social situations.
- A social phobia is a form of behavior that can occur as a result of certain experiences. This can happen to people who have previously experienced uncomfortable or embarrassing social situations.
In addition, there is a link between social phobia and parents who model anxious behavior in certain social situations. It can also occur in children with parents who are more strict in controlling their social life or are very protective of them.
Diagnosis
Doctors will generally do several things to determine a diagnosis, including:
- Perform a physical exam to help assess the presence of medical conditions or medication use that can trigger signs and symptoms of anxiety.
- Discuss signs and symptoms experienced, how often, and in what situations.
- Discuss a series of situations to see if they make the person anxious.
- Fill out a questionnaire regarding the signs and symptoms of social phobia.
- Adjusting the signs and symptoms experienced with the diagnostic criteria for social phobia.
Treatment
Treatment for social phobia depends on how far the disorder affects the daily functions that are undertaken. The two main types of treatment for social phobia are:
- Psychotherapy is aimed at helping a person recognize their negative thoughts and developing skills to increase their confidence in social situations. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective psychotherapies for anxiety.
- There are several types of treatment that doctors can prescribe, including anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, or a combination of drugs.
- Often, treatment for social phobia can be a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Prevention
There is no method that can predict the things that can make someone experience social phobia. However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the impact of symptoms experienced on someone who is feeling anxious, such as:
- Get help early. Social phobia, like many other mental health disorders, is easier to treat when caught early.
- Journal writing. Documenting your daily personal life can help you and your mental health professional identify the factors that cause stress and how to deal with it.
- Make a priority list in life. One can reduce anxiety by managing time and energy well. Make sure that you also make time to do things you enjoy.
- Avoid using substances that are not good. Use of alcohol and illegal drugs can make anxiety worse. If you have experienced addiction, stopping intake can also cause new anxiety.