For those who suffer from social anxiety, being around people can be a frightening experience. As such, these individuals will often isolate themselves and even ignore simple tasks such as shopping or getting a haircut.
Living with social anxiety does not have to be a life sentence. There are ways to control your symptoms, and once you learn these, you can begin working on a better life.
While there are many methods and techniques available for the treatment of social anxiety, some of the more popular, and effective, ones are listed below. For most people, a combination of treatments will bring about the best results.
There are several types of therapy available for the treatment of social anxiety. In each of these, the goal is to get the person to focus on the cause of the anxiety which then allows them to deal with the issues as they come up.
CBT, which is also known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, has become a very popular treatment option for many people who suffer from social anxiety. This therapy is often taught by and monitored by a professional therapist. They work together to create effective and powerful strategies that are set up to increase the person's ability to live within a social environment. This treatment is very individualized, so it is achieves the best results when performed with a trained therapist.
For many people, medications can be helpful. The SSRI class of drugs are often prescribed for the treatment of anxiety. They work by reducing the symptoms that come about during anxiety attacks.
Another class of drugs that are often used in treating social anxiety symptoms are the benzodiazepines. These drugs will often provide instant reduction of the symptoms and are very good at providing relief for sudden onset attacks.
As mentioned above, drugs in combination with effective therapy offer the best results for most people. It is imperative that patients consult with a professional health provider before taking any medications for social anxiety.
In addition to the above, self-help courses and techniques can be very beneficial as well. Self-help is often used by those who do not wish to take advantage of professional assistance or who do not wish to use prescription drugs. For those who have mild symptoms, self-help techniques can be very useful.
Learning to breathe correctly is one form of self-help. Generally speaking, those who have social anxiety issues often breathe incorrectly, taking short, shallow breaths as the symptoms occur. A better method of breathing is to take deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth, while meditating on positive thoughts.
Positive thinking is also a form of self-help that can help reduce or eliminate the onset of social anxiety attacks and symptoms. Positive thought thinking helps to prevent the onset of negative thoughts which often lead to panic attacks. This can be especially useful if used just prior to a social engagement.
During social interactions, a busy mind is a relaxed mind. If you feel the onset of symptoms while at a public gathering, look for things to take your mind off your surroundings. For instance, look for people who are very tall or very short, look for people wearing hats or scarves. Focus on whatever it is you are looking for, while performing your breathing exercises. Within a few moments, the symptoms should abate.
By finding what works for you, you can begin to feel more confident in social surroundings, knowing that you have the tools to fight off any onset of symptoms. Once you find the right set of therapies, make it a point to master them.
Want to discover more about available options for social anxiety help? Click here to learn about the social phobia test and see how it can help you.
No comments:
Post a Comment