Social Anxiety DisordersSocial anxiety disorders span a wide range of years from anxiety attacks in children to social and speech anxiety in adults. Social anxiety symptoms can be debilitating in all cases. Social anxiety disorder is a persistent fear of one or more situations in which the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others and fears that he or she may do something or act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing.
Although the exact nature of this disorder is still the subject of research and theory the anxiety symptoms vary in intensity and duration. This disorder exceeds normal shyness or discomfort in social situations as it leads to excessive social avoidance and substantial social or occupational impairment.
An anxiety attack in children and adults will trigger a fight or flight response associated with any stressful situation. Once threatened to be placed in a social or center of attention situation the immediate response is to look for an escape route. Many people are nervous or self conscious from time to time but social anxiety disorders cause an intense fear as the person anticipates being judged and condemned by others so bad that this interferes with their everyday functioning and what would be considered a normal interaction or routine.
It’s normal to have some amount of speech anxiety before giving a speech, it’s not normal to avoid getting a college degree because you know it would be impossible for you to take a required speech class. It’s normal to feel anxious when having to go to a social function where you may not know other people that will be attending. It’s a social anxiety disorder if you worry for days, weeks, or months rehashing your fear of the upcoming event. It’s normal at times to feel self conscious but it’s not normal when you refuse to eat in front of other people or feel you are being watched and judged by everyone around you. It’s normal not to want to attend every social function that you’re invited to. It’s not normal to always be on guard and prepared with excuses to avoid any and all invitations that may come your way. It’s normal for a child to be shy. An anxiety attack in children who experience extreme distress over every day activities such as playing with others, or a speech anxiety when it comes to answering questions in front of classmates or speaking to authority figures such as teachers may be alerting you to a social anxiety disorder. When looking for anxiety symptoms in children or adults noticeable symptoms may be an avoidance of eye contact, shaky voice, sweating, trembling or shaking, flushed face, or clammy hands. Symptoms not so noticeable by others would include; fast heartbeat, hot flashes, upset stomach, muscle tension, dry mouth or the mind drawing a blank when asked to speak.
Meeting new people, being the center of attention, being watched while doing something, making small talk, public speaking, performing on stage, being teased or criticized, talking with authority figures, being called on in class, going on a date, making phone calls, using public bathrooms, taking exams, eating and drinking in public, speaking up in a meeting or attending social functions.
Therapy tends to be the same as for working with phobias since these are of close relation. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be used to act out, role play or visualize the events that make you tense. This is an attempt to alter the perception of a given phobia by changing the thoughts that trigger the fear. Group therapy is another possibility as some people feel they are alone with this disorder but the truth is that many individuals suffer from social anxiety disorder and the knowledge and exchange of information is very beneficial to gain confidence.
Other Related Links
Use relaxation techniques to assist with social anxiety disorders
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