| When and how to treat social phobia |
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| Written by PanicJoe | |
| 11 July 2007 | |
 Being shy when meeting new people or stressed before a presentation at work, does not indicate social phobia, but rather a normal reaction to stressed situations. If you fears do not bother you and you overcome them and perform your activities without being governed by them, then you do not need treatment. On the other hand, if you find that you dread certain events weeks in advance, worry about them obsessively and avoid situations that may cause you anxiety in an obsessive way; you may indeed need to consult a doctor, or psychologist. If your fears disrupt your life and affect your life quality, then you need to get treatment to learn how to control them. The treatment is a mixture of medications and a psychological process called cognitive behavioral therapy.Psychological treatment for social phobia is a process called cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy is based on the realization that it is your thoughts and not the other people or environmental situation that causes your anxiety. The unwanted situation will probably not change, but you can change your attitude towards it and then react in a positive way. Treatment may also involve exposure therapy – a method in which you learn to face the situations you fear most by being exposed to other less frightening but related situations, and you work up your way to the feared situation and learn to face it confident. Simulations and role-play are good methods to increase your social skills and to teach you better ways to handle certain social situations – these methods accompany cognitive behavioral therapy and complement treatment. The FDA has approved only three medical substances for treating social anxiety disorder. All are anti-depressants: Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil Cr) Sertraline (Zoloft) Venlafaxine (Effexor) Doctors may also prescribe other medications that have not been specifically approved for treatment of social phobia, but are effective. This is called “Off label” use. These may include anti anxiety medications and Beta blockers. Anti anxiety drugs are usually sedating and one can develop an addiction. Therefore they are recommended only for short-term treatment, to prevent the situation that the patient is overwhelmed by anxiety at the beginning of the psychological treatment. Beta blockers block the stimulating effect of adrenaline, thus reducing shaking and trembling and heart rate. These drugs are good only as specific treatment to very certain situations, like before giving a speech, but are not recommended as a general treatment for social phobia because they work best when taken infrequently. Some of these medications may cause nasty side effects, but do not give up – it is a process of trail and error to find the correct medication for each patient. Social anxiety disorder symptoms may be reduced over time and a person can discontinue the use of medication gradually. Some people may have to take medications for years in order to prevent a relapse. Social anxiety disorder may make it difficult for you to go to school or to work. But maintaining relationships and connections is important to coping with it and healing from it. Treatment will help you feel comfortable around people over time. Taking your own life into your own hands and taking positive actions is the first step towards a cure. Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep. Use relaxation exercises and stress management to help you get through an event that stresses you, rather than getting drunk! Banish negative thought about yourself and the forthcoming event. Set realistic goals and thus prevent disappointments. People in a more advanced stage of treatment can consider joining a support group to exchange experiences and coping tips. Just showing up to the group sessions is already increasing your coping abilities. Do not avoid the situations you fear – expose you to them and learn thus to cope with them. Remember that anxiety is short lived and situations change all the time. The effects of the disorder are much more serious and the negative situation you fear probably rarely comes to pass. Remember that you can control your anxiety. |
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