|
 |
Social Anxiety Disorder |
Social Anxiety Disorder is a fear of being embarrassed, judged or evaluated negatively in social situations. Because of this fear, the person with Social Anxiety Disorder experiences physical symptoms of anxiety, and as a result, tends to avoid the social interaction or social situation that brings on the symptoms of anxiety.
The level of anxiety experienced by a person with Social Anxiety Disorder is excessive, and results in substantial impairment in the person's social, emotional, interpersonal and occupational life.
There are two different major subtypes of Social Anxiety Disorder, generalised and specific. Generalised Social Anxiety Disorder is when the person fears a wide range of different social situations. Specific Social Anxiety Disorder is when the person fears only one specific social situation, such as public speaking, or only a couple of specific social situations
|
| |
| Who develops Social Anxiety Disorder? |
Social Anxiety Disorder is equally common in men and women and is found across all cultures. The World Psychiatric Association estimates that 3 per cent of the population suffer from this condition at any one time. Other studies suggest the figure to be as high as 8 - 15%, or 1in 7 people.
Characteristically, Social Anxiety Disorder develops in the mid-teenage years. The World Psychiatric Association suggests that approximately 40 percent of people with Social Anxiety Disorder will develop the condition prior to the age of ten, and approximately 95 per cent will develop the condition before the age of twenty.
If left untreated, Social Anxiety Disorder can add to the onset of other developmental problems, and other conditions such as depression, eating disorders, avoidant personality disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, and sometimes suicide |
|
|
|
| Common Situations Feared |
| |
 |
Speaking in public |
|
Meeting or talking with people in positions of authority |
 |
Eating and drinking in public |
|
Meeting or talking to members of the opposite sex |
|
Writing in front of others |
|
Being watched doing something |
|
Meeting new people |
|
Being teased |
|
Being the centre of attention |
|
Being criticised |
|
|
| |
| Main Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder |
| When the person who has Social Anxiety Disorder is confronted by the feared situation, or even just thinks about the feared situation, extreme symptoms of anxiety result. The symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder include any, or all of the following: |
| |
|
High levels of anxiety when exposed to the feared situation (palpitations, trembling, sweating, tense muscles, dry throat, blushing, dizziness, sinking feeling in the stomach) |
|
An overwhelming feeling of wanting to escape |
|
Feelings of self consciousness and inadequacy |
|
Avoidance of the feared situation, which can often lead to isolation from friends, family and society |
|
Reliance on drugs or alcohol to get the person through the feared situation |
|
|
| A common misconception amongst some of the medical profession and the general public is that Social Anxiety Disorder is the same as shyness. It is important to clarify here that shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder are different. Shyness is a normal characteristic. Social Anxiety Disorder is a recognised medical condition, included in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual in 1980. Since this time, diagnostic criteria has been widely improved, allowing for correct diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder and more appropriate treatment options to be put in place. |
|
|
| |
| Can Social Anxiety Disorder be treated? |
The World Psychiatric Association suggests that, yes, Social Anxiety Disorder responds well to treatment.
Cognitive therapy, behavioural therapy and graded exposure therapy are seen to be effective psychological approaches to the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder. These therapies encourage people who experience Social Anxiety Disorder to think more rationally and confront the feared situations, with the overall benefit of decreasing levels of anxiety.
Other techniques useful in treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder include, self esteem therapy, relaxation techniques, correct breathing techniques, assertion and perception training, social skills training, physical exercise, nutrition, meditation, and focusing skills.
The World Psychiatric Association suggests that as few as 25 per cent of people who have Social Anxiety Disorder currently receive treatment. Treatment options need to be introduced as soon as a diagnosis is made to alleviate the impairment to the sufferer's life, and to prevent the further development of other related conditions such as depression, avoidant personality disorder, eating disorders and drug and alcohol abuse |
|
|
| |
|
Main Menu
Home