Social Anxiety Disorder - Shyness or Something Else?

Social anxiety disorder is marked by an overpowering sense of anxiety and self-consciousness during regular social activities. In its mild form, it can be restricted to a certain situation (e.g., public speaking, drinking or eating where people can see you, etc.) and can be mistaken for shyness or introversion. But in its advance form, social anxiety disorder can mean debilitating symptoms whenever the individual is around other persons, no matter what the situation.

Signs of Social Anxiety Disorder

The people and family members around a person with the disorder (also called SAD) may simply think that the person is introverted or unusually shy. In fact, if a person with SAD avoids social situations and develops some skill in suppressing reactions, the illness may go undetected for years.

However, SAD is a progressive disorder and will eventually turn into a phobia so intense that it interferes with school, work, and even everyday chores that require social contact.

The signs of SAD to watch out for are: * An intense fear and embarrassment at being seen by other people * Persistent feelings that the people who see them are judging them * A chronic dread at being humiliated due to their actions

The physical signs of this disorder are: * Blushing/flushes * Intense stomach aches/nausea * Profuse sweating/trembling * Speech difficulties

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the only treatment that has been proven by clinical research to be effective against this disorder. The cognitive-behavioral approach has in fact produced lifelong relief from social anxiety in a great number of patients.

What is most remarkable is that in most cases, patients with the disorder responded better to short periods of treatment rather than longer ones.

Patients CANNOT be counseled out of this disorder. Studies show that patients who were instructed to analyze their phobia only displayed MORE fear and anxiety! This in turn led to depression and hopelessness at ever being rid of the disorder.

Many affordable healthcare services are available throughout the United States. Free, subsidized services are even available through schools, nonprofit organizations, and clinical studies done by the National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov).