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Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also termed social phobia, is characterized by an irrational fear of being publicly humiliated or judged by others. Social anxiety surpasses the common feelings of shyness that can often occur in a social setting. Instead, social anxiety features intense feelings of anxiety that are so strong the individual may experience the same symptoms as a panic attack.
About Social Anxiety Disorder
According to data provided by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about 15 million adults in the U.S. suffer from social anxiety disorder. Individuals with socials anxiety disorder are at a higher risk of developing co-occurring depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.
Social anxiety has the effect of limiting one’s potential in achieving personal goals. Due to the intense fear associated with public appearances, social anxiety causes the individual to avoid situations that are performance or competition-related, or may limit exposure to social settings that would benefit them professionally, such as networking, attending conferences, or even the annual office holiday party.
Because the usual way people that most people manage their social anxiety is through avoidance or isolating behaviors, the long-term effects of social anxiety can be significant. Career prospects will be passed by due to fear of networking or interviewing. New relationships may be avoided due to fear of rejection or being judged.
When someone struggles with social anxiety disorder, they may experience intense anxiety throughout their days. The extreme self-consciousness they feel causes a lack of confidence in themselves and their abilities. If the individual is expected to be present at a work conference or an important social event, the anxiety symptoms that result may be debilitating.
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:
There are some risk factors that are associated with developing social anxiety disorder. These include:
7.1%
of U.S. adults are estimated to have had social anxiety disorder in the past year
12.1%
of U.S. adults are estimated to experience social anxiety disorder at some time in their lives
9.1%
of adolescents are estimated to have had social anxiety disorder, and an estimated 1.3% had severe impairment
Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder
Treatment for social anxiety disorder is similar to treatment for panic disorder or trauma disorders. A comprehensive plan would include a combination of psychotherapy, adjunctive therapies, holistic therapies, and medication:
- There are a variety of medications that have been useful in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. These include SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The CBT therapist will guide the individual toward recognizing irrational thoughts and confronting the avoidance behaviors and eventually replacing them with assertive behaviors to be accessed in each anxiety-provoking situation. The client practices these new responses and eventually they become habit.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE). PE helps the individual to become desensitized to the traumatic memory through consistent and prolonged exposure in addition to discussing the disturbing experience in talk therapy.
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is helpful when trauma might be a contributing factor to the social anxiety. EMDR involves an 8-step plan toward desensitizing the individual to the traumatic experience.
- Psychodrama Role Playing. A group therapy technique involves role-playing, called psychodrama, where stressful social situations can be constructed and played out in a safe, supportive space.
