What is Social Anxiety?

Most people feel nervous or apprehensive in new social situations.However, those suffering with social anxiety take that mild apprehension to a whole new level. People with social anxiety actually change the way they live to accommodate their intense stress and fear.

Check out this information about social anxiety that will give you an idea of what to look for to see if you have the disorder and what you can do about it if you do. There are a variety of symptoms that might indicate social anxieties, and each person with the disorder will experience these symptoms in slightly different ways.

The main symptom of social anxiety is an irrational fear of interacting with others in social settings, because you are afraid they are judging you.You might also worry about embarrassing yourself in front of others, which affects your willingness to interact with those around you.

Eventually, the fear of embarrassment and judgment will evolve into an unwillingness to participate in many different types of social settings or activities that most enter into without even thinking about them.

In addition to the psychological symptoms of social anxiety, there are also physical symptoms that may be experienced.Possible physical signs are many and might include stomach upset, muscle tension, clammy hands and profuse sweating.

Those suffering with the disorder might also find their voice shakes and they have difficulty making eye contact with those around them. When you deal with social anxiety, you often also have to grapple with self esteem issues and the inability to accept any type of criticism.

Most people with social anxiety understand that their fears and anxieties are not logical, but they can't do anything to stop them. A nasty circle erupts when you begin to fear the social fear itself, which becomes the source of much of your distress.If your fears become so intense that they get in the way of your daily life, it is time to talk to your doctor about an effective treatment plan.

Those suffering with social anxiety will be happy to know that this disorder does have effective treatment options, including psychotherapy and medication.Selective seratonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the medication of choice for treating social anxiety, with commercial names like Prozac or Paxil.The most effective psychotherapy technique is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps the patient alter thought processes to reduce the fear of social situations.

When medication and psychotherapy are combined effectively, you can often enjoy less anxiety and a higher quality of life.