People describe me as a loner. They say that I am an introverted person that they often have trouble dealing with. Perhaps that is because I don’t usually laugh at everyone’s joke, I don’t talk much, and I do not intend to butt in any conversation topics not unless I was asked to. At first, I thought what I usually do is just part of my personality. I thought that perhaps my interests are different from other people, so they find me hard to get along with.
Thus, I somehow chose not to mingle with people due to indifference and slowly isolate myself from everyone around me. Unfortunately, that decision is not exclusive to my will. Because recently, I found out that I am dealing with symptoms of social anxiety. If you are not that familiar with it, here are some of the frequently asked questions that might help you understand what the mental condition is all about.
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What triggers social anxiety?
Social anxiety triggers by negative experiences. The person’s environment greatly influences Social Anxiety. And aside from other negative events in life, family conflict, emotional abuse, trauma or abuse, and relationship issues may be associated with social anxiety—stressful life instances and other traumatic experiences during childhood influence social anxiety problems.
Well, I can’t recall the specific times I dealt with traumatic experiences when I was a kid. But, when it comes to emotional abuse, I guess I am overloaded with despair and sorrow from those who constantly force me to be someone else.
Can you self-diagnose social anxiety?
There are ways to self-evaluate social anxiety disorder. However, there is no medical test to check for an accurate diagnosis unless administered by a professional expert. The healthcare provider will diagnose social phobia from a series of symptoms and by examining certain behavioral patterns.
If you think you are dealing with social anxiety symptoms, visit a doctor immediately.
How common is social anxiety?
Social anxiety is the second most commonly diagnosed disorder among 15 million American people, where the average age of onset of the mental illness is during the teenage years. The condition can last for many years, and sometimes it stays for a lifetime when it gets worse. Social anxiety prevents an individual from living his life to the fullest.
Unfortunately, that is what is happening to me right now. As much as I want to go outside and mingle with different people, I can’t. I get overwhelmed and often panic when people stare at me for no reason. It makes me feel uncomfortable when they keep asking me personal questions. I easily get anxious, and it makes me unable to breathe.
How does social anxiety affect your life?
Social anxiety disorder can ruin your life as it makes it harder for you to concentrate on work, school, relationships, or personal life. Anxiety can keep you away from trying new things. It somehow takes away the opportunity for you to grow and be creative. Thus, it leads to a loss of interest in things and promotes unfulfilled potential.
Sadly, when social anxiety hits, you can’t just shrug it off. There is no way you can manage to deal with it instantly. Therapy and treatments also take time.
How can I help my partner with social anxiety?
You can help your partner with social anxiety by talking to him and understanding his feelings. Please ensure to take steps to allow every social situation more comfortable for your partner. Help him and be there for him through the challenges of negative thinking. Ensure that you encourage, support, and join him on a healthy, anti-anxiety lifestyle.
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How can I fix my social anxiety?
To overcome social anxiety, you need to consider the following tips. You can start with self-care, practice deep breathing every day, create objective goals of what you want to achieve in a day, and keep a rational outlook and stay positive as much as possible. If none of these work, ask a therapist about other things that you can do.
You must make the recovery process slowly but surely.
What is the best medication for social anxiety disorder?
There are several medications available for social anxiety disorder. Your doctor may prescribe Paxil or Zoloft. These drugs are inhibitors (SSRIs) that often take down the first few unnecessary and persistent social anxiety symptoms.
Does social anxiety go away with age?
No. Though there are chances that for some people, their mental condition gets better as they get older. But for many individuals who happen to suffer from severe anxiety, it does not go away on its own. Sometimes, it takes a significant effort, even with medication and therapy treatment.
Can you beat anxiety without medication?
Fortunately, yes, you can cope with anxiety, even without medication. One way you can do that is through mindfulness meditation. It is an effective anxiety treatment that works so well with some psychotherapeutic methods. Many therapists use mindfulness-based exercises to help patients understand their condition and encourage them to self-care and recovery.
What does the Bible say about anxiety?
While anxiety can make you feel empty and lonely, the Bible encourages you to understand that God is still there with you no matter what. Fear, Anxiety, and Worry, when you present it to God, will eventually go away because He guards your heart and your mind to complete peace and calmness.
Does CBD help anxiety?
Aside from the FDA approving the use of cannabidiol in treating epilepsy, CBD helps address anxiety symptoms. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and general anxiety disorder (GAD). It also helps treat anxiety-induced sleeping disorder or insomnia.
Is it normal for anxiety to come and go?
Feelings of anxiety usually come and go, and some only people experience mild symptoms of the mental health condition, only lasting a short time. However, some moments of anxiety are briefer. Usually, it lasts anywhere from a couple of minutes to a few days. And on severe cases, it lasts for about a year and sometimes a lifetime.
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Is anxiety all in your head?
Though some people believe anxiety to be just a “thing” in the head, it is more than that. It’s the brain’s way of preparing individuals to face danger so that they can deal with stressful situations instantly. Some anxiety at different periods in time can cause a lot of problems.
How do I stop worrying about everything?
To stop worrying about everything that doesn’t entirely need too much attention, you should consider some of the following: Be real with how you feel and acknowledge your mental health needs. That way, you can focus on self-care and positive thoughts. Be conscious of your intentions of getting better and be okay with things being out of your control.
What are the six common types of anxiety disorders?
The common types of anxiety disorder are specific phobia, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder.
