It’s normal to be shy around strangers. It’s not uncommon to be nervous about public speaking and social gatherings. But when it reaches the point it has a significant impact on your life, that could be an indicator of something more serious. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, social anxiety (or social phobia) is defined as “intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social or performance situation.” Social phobia is ranked as the second most diagnosed anxiety disorder. 12% of the United States population meets the criteria for diagnosis. It usually starts during the teen years and is more likely to affect women than men.
Symptoms
There are two categories of social anxiety disorder: generalized and non-generalized.
Generalized
In the generalized category, symptoms are present in most social situations. This includes social interactions and performance situations. The symptoms are more severe than in non-generalized social anxiety disorder.
Non-generalized (Specific)
Symptoms in this category are present in specific social situations. They may fear one specific situation or several settings, but do not fear most situations.
Some symptoms include:
- Little eye contact
- Speaking with a soft voice
- Avoiding social or performance situations
- Difficulty being assertive
- Experiencing test anxiety or refusing to take part in the classroom
Along with these behaviors, there are physical symptoms:
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Nausea
- Rigid Posture
- Panic Attacks
The development of other anxiety or mood disorders can occur, as well as substance abuse. Suicidal thoughts can also occur in severe cases.
Treatment
Some forms of treatment include:
- Psychotherapy
- Support Groups
- Medications
The most successful treatment is a combination of medication and CBT or other psychotherapies.
At Pandora’s House, we provide high-quality, compassionate care with individualized treatment plans. Located in Farmersville, Texas, we provide care to the Collin County, Texas community. To start your journey towards recovery, please contact us to schedule an appointment.