Disorder

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder affects the lives of nearly 15 million people. It is marked by a powerful fear of negative public examination. The individual is afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. Usually the individual’s lack of social skills perpetuates the fear. The most common example of social anxiety disorder is the fear of public speaking. Other situation that can cause extreme distress include eating or drinking in front of others, talking on the telephone, dating or going to parties. The manifestation of these disorders includes blushing, sweating and difficulty in speaking. In severe cases, sufferers will isolate themselves from other to avoid the pain from this disorder.

Treatment Options

There are varying treatment options for anxiety disorders depending on the particular disorder. However, a successful treatment plan should be supervised by a psychiatrist or psychologist and must address the individual’s specific needs. Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, has been found to be successful in the treatment of these disorders. Additionally, antidepressant medications as well as anxiolytics have offered relief to sufferers. Anxiety disorders are also remedied by having the patient learn how to relax. Meditation, breathing retraining exercises as well as regular physical exercise can be beneficial if performed on a regular basis.