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Social Anxiety Disorder

Medically Reviewed by The Medindia Medical Review Team on Feb 07, 2018


What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia is a common mental health problem (third most common) that makes a person feel extremely uncomfortable and anxious about social situations and meeting other people. The anxiety stems from a fear of being negatively judged and embarrassing themselves in front of others.

The disorder may be severe enough for the person to avoid social situations or events that may bring on the anxiety, affecting their daily activities as a result.

Although this is a chronic condition, it is treatable; learning coping skills, psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy) and medications, if required, can help in the alleviation of symptoms and improve the ability to face social situations normally.


What are the Causes and Risk Factors for Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder can be caused by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. These include:

Risk Factors of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Although there may be individual variations in response to a given situation, there are certain risk factors that might trigger social anxiety disorder

What are the Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is an exaggerated fear and anxiety in social situations, unlike shyness or nervousness in a social situation which is normal. The features of social anxiety disorder include the following:

Physical signs and symptomsBehavioral signs and symptomsEmotional symptoms
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Inability to speak
  • Feeling faint
  • Sweating and hot flushes
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Breathlessness
  • Nausea, stomach upset
  • Afraid of venturing out alone; need to have someone accompany them
  • Drinking before social occasions
  • Avoiding the situation altogether
  • Hiding in the background to escape notice
  • Unnatural fear and anxiety of being watched and judged by others
  • Excessive self-consciousness and assuming the worst
  • Fear of embarrassing oneself publicly
  • Excessive worrying for days or weeks before the event

Presence of insight - An important feature of SAD is that the person is aware that his fear and anxiety are irrational and make no sense but is unable to shake off the negative thoughts or assumes that the worst is going to happen.

Some situations that can trigger social anxiety


What are the Complications of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Unfortunately, if neglected or left untreated, SAD can affect relationships at home, workplace or school and give rise to complications such as:

How do you Diagnose Social Anxiety Disorder?

Diagnosis of social anxiety disorder requires a complete history and thorough physical examination to ensure there are no identifiable causes for the condition and to rule out the presence of any other concurrent mental health disorder along with social anxiety.

DSM-5 criteria for social anxiety disorder include:


How do you Treat Social Anxiety Disorder?

Management of social anxiety disorder depends on the severity of symptoms. The two most commonly employed forms of treatment include psychotherapy and medication therapy. Self-help therapy can also help.

Psychotherapy

In psychotherapy, patients are taught to recognize negative thoughts and feelings and to gain coping skills to overcome social anxiety.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy and can be done as individual or group therapy.

In exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy, the patient is gradually exposed to social situations they fear and then trained to develop coping skills and to improve confidence and dispel negative thoughts and assertions.

Role-playing sessions can also help develop and practice social skills to gain comfort and confidence relating to others.

Self-help therapy

Books, leaflets, or audio tapes or CDs teaching deep breathing and relaxation techniques and other measures to relieve stress and anxiety may be of added benefit.

Medications

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first type of drugs employed for persistent symptoms of social anxiety. The serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), venlafaxine (Effexor XR) may also be tried for social anxiety disorder. The drugs interfere with brain chemicals (also called neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, believed to affect emotions. Typically treatment will be started at a low dose to reduce side effects and gradually increased. It may take several weeks for a noticeable response.

Anxiolytics - Benzodiazepines can also reduce anxiety. They often work quickly but can be sedating and addictive, and so they are prescribed only for short-term use.

Beta-blockers - These medications can reduce some of the physical symptoms of SAD such as thumping of the heart and trembling, and work by blocking the stimulating effect of epinephrine (adrenaline). They are not recommended as first-line treatment of social anxiety disorder but infrequently used before certain anxiety-inducing situations such as public speaking or concerts.

How do you Prevent and Manage Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety episodes can be prevented by reducing anxiety levels and learning to cope with situations that produce anxiety.

Lifestyle changes to reduce anxiety

Gearing up and developing skills to face social situations

References:

  1. What is Social Anxiety Disorder? - (http://socialphobia.org/social-anxiety-disorder-definition-symptoms-treatment-therapy-medications-insight-prognosis)
  2. Social Anxiety Disorder - (https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder.htm)

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