Symptoms Of Social Anxiety Disorder

Symptoms of social anxiety are often confused with the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorders include the fear of symptoms, obsessions and compulsions. Those with obsessive-compulsive disorders have a persistent, nagging doubt that results in unwanted and excessive compulsive behavior. The person with obsessive-compulsive disorder may perform ritualistic behaviors in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. One example is thinking before speaking, counting items multiple times, repeating actions over, and so on. Someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder may feel uncontrollable and have the feeling that what they're doing is "wrong".

Social anxiety disorder is often characterized by blushing, trembling, and rapid heart rate. However, those suffering from social anxiety don't blush or have sudden heart rates. Instead, these symptoms manifest themselves as feelings of embarrassment, panic, irritability, excessive sweating, shaking, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty swallowing. Social anxiety can affect people of any age, race, or ethnicity. People who are Latino, African American, Asian, and American Indian are at a higher risk of developing social anxiety.

As symptoms of this disorder manifest, people experience varying degrees of these unpleasant feelings. In some cases, these symptoms may not be so severe, but in other instances, they can be very overwhelming. Some of the symptoms may include feeling constantly anxious, being easily embarrassed and judged in public situations, and being depressed or sad in these types of situations. These feelings often increase when the person is put into situations where others are present, such as speaking with peers or attending group or social events.

Social Anxiety Disorder, when diagnosed, is usually treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Sometimes, both forms of treatment are used. Many people suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder seek out help from their healthcare providers to find a treatment that will work for them. Those who suffer from this condition may feel reluctant to disclose their symptoms to their doctor for fear that the doctor will diagnose them with a different disorder or fail to find the appropriate treatment. Doctors need to be careful about whom they diagnose because symptoms of social anxiety disorder may be similar to or even clear-related symptoms of other medical conditions.

Unfortunately, many times patients' symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder are misdiagnosed because the patient presents with overwhelming distress when in certain social situations. These situations may include being the target of teasing and anxiety when interacting with others, participating in large group discussions where the focus is on self, or even going through difficult personal experiences. This is problematic for the patient, as they do not want to feel like they are judged by other people and may feel distress when interacting with other people. These types of interactions can also trigger the anxiety and distress associated with other mental disorders, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorders. This is why it is important that any patient seeking treatment for their condition undergoes psychiatric evaluation in order to rule out other medical conditions.

Because Social Anxiety Disorder symptoms can be similar to or be caused by other mental illnesses, many healthcare providers will recommend that their patients see a psychiatrist or psychologist in addition to receiving treatment for their social anxiety disorders. In order to accurately determine if a person has these other mental disorders, the healthcare provider will require the patient to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The goal of this evaluation is to rule out mental illnesses without having to identify if the symptoms are ones that the patient actually has. Because the symptoms of social anxiety disorder are often confused with other conditions, many healthcare providers will only prescribe medication to the patient and will advise them to go on living their life.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder may include excessive worry and fear when faced with situations that others experience but that they consider to be normal or natural. The person may be scared of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others and will excessively worry about performing to the best of their ability and performing "perfectly". This type of fear can cause a person to avoid all social situations, leading to avoidance of friends and family and can lead to isolation, depression and other related conditions. Some people will use performance-related situations as a means of avoiding social interaction.

Treatment for symptoms of social phobia typically requires antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and/or relaxation techniques, and social support from family and friends. The patient should not have panic attacks or feel immediate threats when placed in certain social situations. Treatment can take from weeks to months and may require the person to stay at home to receive counseling and assistance. Many times, patients who suffer from this condition have to make lifestyle changes, such as limiting stimulants like the use of coffee or alcohol, exercising daily, eating healthier foods and cutting back on the use of medications. There are a variety of treatments available to treat symptoms of social anxiety disorder, including self-help programs and healthcare provider may also recommend medication.