Social anxiety disorder vs. Shyness
How can someone tell if they have social anxiety disorder, or if it’s just shyness? While Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is often put off as shyness, it’s more extreme than shyness. Did you know that 1 out of 10 people have social anxiety disorder? Some may not even realize they have it, and it is misdiagnosed as shyness, and the social anxiety disorder is left untreated. Some may just be content with it and choose not to do anything about it.
Here are some differences between social anxiety and shyness: Social Anxiety Disorder is defined as Everyday interactions that cause extreme fear and self-consciousness, while Shyness is defined as: Not at ease in the company of others. So they go hand in hand, shyness being the beginning stages of Social Anxiety.
Social Anxiety Disorder symptoms include but are not limited to:
* Intensified fear of being in social situations where you don’t know anyone. This can be anything from a meeting with friends, to going home for the holidays.
* Worrying about embarrassing yourself. Let’s say you agree to a gathering with some of your friends for a night out to enjoy yourselves before a big event, such as graduation, and the plans are made and it’s for a few days away. Well, after the event is set, you begin to worry about the “what if’s”. Example: What if you make a joke and no one likes it, or makes fun of you?
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* Avoiding social gatherings or talking to others for fear of embarrassment or judgment. So the “what if’s” got the best of you and you call everyone up to let them know you aren’t going to be able to make it after all, and you make up an excuse on the cancellation. Now you are worrying about if anyone is going to judge you for cancelling your attendance. Social Anxiety never rests.
* Eluding being the center of attention. So, you made it to a small gathering of maybe 3 or 4 friends for the night. You still feel nervous, but the point is you made it. Someone wants you to get up and make a speech over something, and you make a quick trip outside where no one can find you.
Physical symptoms are as follows:
* Excessive Sweating. You feel your face get warmer, and you notice a rise in your body temperature. “Did it just all of a sudden get hot in here?!”
* Difficulty talking. You can’t think of the right words to say or you say them so fast the other person you are talking to wonders if you’ve suddenly learned how to speak Chinese.
* Shaky voice. You feel like your heart is going to jump right through your chest, and you begin to shake so much it carries in your voice.
* Confusion. You all of a sudden forget everything you are about to say and need a minute to catch your breath and relax so you can think clearly.
* Cold, clammy hands. Even though your body temperature has risen and you’re getting sweaty, your hands still feel cold to the touch.
* Unable to make eye contact. So, you are talking to someone and you’ve somewhat got your composure down, but you are still unable to make eye contact with that person because you are so fearful of them judging or making fun of you.
* Vomiting. Well, let’s say you had to give a presentation, and you are in front of everyone trying your best to get started. You hear everyone shuffling in their seats waiting for you to begin, and you get so worked up you end up running out of the room to the nearest bathroom because you need to throw up.
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* Trembling or shaking. It has nothing to do with the temperature of your surroundings, you are just that nervous about the situation.
What causes Social Anxiety?
* Genetic Makeup. Some research is being done on whether or not Social Anxiety Disorder is hereditary or not. So far, there are a few components researchers believe are linked to this disorder, but nothing concrete.
* Biochemistry. Researchers also believe there is a link between a brain chemical and how your body reacts to the chemical.
* Fear Responses. Some people might have an inflated fear response.
How is Social Anxiety treated?
* Counseling, this reduces the symptoms.
* Mental Behavior Therapy that aids you in recognizing anxieties and which situations incite the anxiety.
* Exposure Therapy in which you will be lead to imagine a fearful situation for you and face it until it is no longer feared.
* Supportive Therapy for example, would be a support group in which you had others with you who are facing the same kind of anxieties; it could also be your family support as well.
* Medications are regularly used for continuing, difficult, or overall cases of anxiety include but are not limited to:
* Beta Blockers, which calm anxiety.
* Anti-Depressants, you may have to experiment with different brands, as each brand works differently with people. Find the one that best fits you.
* Anti-Anxiety medications, which are frequently temporary use since they are habit forming; they reduce your level of anxiety. Remember, that you need regular examining when taking new medications to decide which medications work best and what needs to be adjusted.
* Complications occur when you do nothing about your condition. Social Anxiety can run your life and be devastating, not only to you, but to people that care about you. Here are some other examples;
* Substance Abuse, you may turn to illegal drugs to numb your anxiety.
* Alcoholism, you may find that having a few drinks makes you more outgoing in social settings and over time may become dependent on alcohol to calm your nerves.
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... of opinion experienced concerning social anxiety is that people often discount the mental illness social anxiety disorder simply as extreme shyness. In fact, social anxiety disorder has been ... low educational attainment, people with a lack of social supports, and people with a lack of social supports, and people who use psychiatric medications. One of ...
* Depression, you may feel like your world is limited because you are so afraid to go out and be normal, which also may lead to:
* Suicide. If you ever feel the desire to take your own life, I urge you to seek help immediately! Remember, you are irreplaceable.
Shyness is considered the milder version of Social Anxiety Disorder. Both have some of the same features, which include but are not limited to:
* Difficulty talking i.e. stammering or stuttering
* Blushing
* Quivering
* Sweating
* Trouble of thinking of things to say to people
* Forgetting manners
* Hesitant to interact with peers
Shyness may be genetic as well, but may also be linked to different environmental upbringings such as:
* Insecurity: Generally feeling like you are a failure or no one likes you.
* Family struggle: Maybe you were born into a not so nice family and your parents were always telling you things like you aren’t good enough, or they abused you.
* Frequent disapproval: Again, being told you aren’t good enough or constantly reminded of your short comings.
* A controlling older sibling (s): Maybe you have an older sibling that is always picking on you or always mean to you.
* A stressful school surrounding: Maybe you were teased as a child in school or bullied, and no one really did anything to help the situation, so as a result you became withdrawn from peers and other people.
Shyness is more frequent in different races as well.
* Japanese
* Taiwanese
* Chinese
* Vietnamese
These are just a few of the cultures that are considered shy, mostly because they are brought up to be more humble and respectful about things.
Treatment for shyness is mostly psychological, though some people prefer to use medication to overcome their shyness, in which they have it confused for Social Anxiety.
Not everyone can afford going to a professional for help, but there are ways you can help yourself. You can start by talking to a trusted person about it, or getting out of your comfort zone and just tackling it head on, like join a social group for people who have similarities. These are just a few suggestions. You can also go online and do some research on diagnosis for it as well. I hope I have helped you educate you a little further on the specific topic.
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