SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
Social anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder marked by a profound fear in social situations, causing severe distress and impaired ability to function in some parts of daily life.
- Also known as social phobia, social anxiety disorder is one of the commonest mental disorder.
- A social anxiety disorder can be so severe that the simplest interactions, such as ordering at a restaurant, making eye contact, going to work or school, dating, using a public restroom, eating in front of others, or answering telephone can cause panic.
- This can lead to avoidance that can disrupt daily life and affect daily routine, work, school, and ability to develop a close relationship with people outside of the family.
- People with a social anxiety disorder may understand that their fears are irrational and unreasonable, but feel powerless to overcome them.
- Social anxiety disorder is totally different from shyness. While shyness is short-term and doesn’t disrupt daily life, social anxiety disorder is persistent and debilitating.
- If left untreated, the disorder can cause low self-esteem, suicide thoughts, poor social skills, substance abuse, or negative self-talk.
CAUSES
The exact cause of the disorder is unknown. Current research, however, suggests that it is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors.
Amygdala – a structure in the brain that controls fear response and feelings or thoughts of anxiety called, if overactive may also cause the disorder
Factors that can put an individual at a greater risk of developing the disorder may include:
- A family history.
- Negative experiences in childhood such as bullying, rejection, family conflict, sexual abuse or any other traumatic or humiliating social experiences.
- Children raised in controlling or overprotective environments can also develop a social anxiety disorder.
- Having an appearance or condition that draws attention such as facial disfigurement, stuttering, or tremors due to Parkinson’s disease can increase feelings of self-consciousness and may trigger the disorder in some people.
SYMPTOMS
Social interaction may cause the following physical symptoms:
- Blushing
- Trembling
- Excessive sweating
- Fast heartbeat
- Nausea
- Muscle tension
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty speaking
Social interaction may cause the following emotional and behavioral symptoms:
- Intense fear of talking or interacting with other people especially strangers
- Intense worry about social situations
- Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself in a social situation
- Avoiding situations where you may be the center of attention
- Spending time after a social situation analyzing your performance and identifying flaws in your interactions.
- Worrying for days or weeks before an event
- Fear of situations in which you may be judged.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
There is no laboratory test to check for social anxiety disorder. The doctor may want to determine whether other conditions may be causing your disorder or if you have the disorder along with another physical or mental health disorder.
During diagnosis, the doctor may ask you to explain your symptoms, how often you experience them, and in what situations.
The doctor may review a list of situations to see if they make you anxious.
The doctor may also use diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
TREATMENT
Treatment options depend on the severity of your disorder. The most common types of treatment are psychotherapy, medications, or both.
The most effective type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. It is both effective when conducted individually or in groups.
The first choice of medication for persistent social anxiety disorder are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta blockers may also work.