Social Anxiety Disorder

It is quite normal to feel anxious before making a public speech or presentation. However, there are people who easily get anxious even with the thought of making a public appearance. Such people are said to have social phobia. People with this mental condition are scared of facing social situations and interacting with unknown people. They think that people are constantly judging them, or, that they may create some embarrassing situations for themselves in front of others. They become so anxious that their anxiety leads to panic attacks, where they start worrying about an upcoming social situation, days, or sometimes even weeks before the day of the event.

Causes

This disorder does not have a definitive cause, however, certain biological, psychological, and environmental factors are claimed to be responsible for it. It is said that it is caused due to an imbalance of a neurotransmitter that sends information from one nerve cell to another in the human brain. This mental condition is also believed to be a hereditary disorder, and can be passed from parents to children. Social anxiety can also be seen in people who have had an over-protective childhood, or a humiliating experience in the past.

Symptoms

The major symptom of social anxiety is a person avoiding social situations totally. The individual starts making excuses for not attending social functions, giving presentations, or meeting unknown people. The idea of attending a social function becomes so scary, that it affects the individual's daily life and routine. Some physical symptoms can also be observed in a person too. These include shivering, muscle tension, diarrhea, excessive sweating, stammering, cold and shaky hands, no eye contact, etc.

Diagnosis and Treatment

People suffering from this disorder should consult the doctor. If left untreated, it can have adverse effects on the life of the individual. Actually, there are no medical tests to determine if an individual suffers from this disorder. The doctor, however, may ask the patient certain questions, and may also conduct certain psychological tests, to gauge if a person suffers from this mental disorder.

Once the disorder is diagnosed in a person, it can be fully cured with proper treatment. The most effective treatment for this disorder is cognitive-behavior therapy, along with certain medicines. The therapist working with the individual should motivate him or her to think in a positive way, and help him or her to face real life social situations. Antidepressants are also sometimes given to the patient to control the physical symptoms. The individual may also have to attend counseling sessions, where the counselor helps in boosting up the self-esteem of the patient, and also teaches the patient skills that would be useful while interacting in a social situation.

Social anxiety is a serious disorder. A person diagnosed with it could be avoided by friends and colleagues for being a loser. The resulting loneliness may lead the individual to the way of alcohol or drug addiction. If a friend or family member is suffering from this disorder, you should try your best to support and help him or her. You should try to make them understand that life, even though full of challenges, is worth living.