Are you suffering from shyness or social anxiety? Everybody gets a little shy and nervous around others sometimes. First dates, being introduced to someone new, giving a presentation at a meeting, asked to demonstrate something in front of others; feeling a bit apprehensive and anxious is normal in these circumstances.
This is not social anxiety although some symptoms may be similar. For the sufferer, social situations are unbearable to deal with to the point that the person feels out of control and are extremely fearful. Sufferers might imagine being criticized and ridiculed by others and embarrassed in front of everyone.
Social anxiety is one of many anxiety disorders that include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder as well as hundreds of different phobias. Negative emotional experiences through childhood are one of the prime causes of this disorder. Being called up in front of class, being laughed and teased at by other kids, being neglected, being shouted at by teachers; growing up can be tough for a child.
Because diagnosis and treatment needs to face to face help, many sufferers find it very difficult to seek help. Excessive drinking and drug use are not uncommon for sufferers in an effort to hide their problem. In the long term this can have a negative impact on both mental and physical health. In addition, many have lived with their condition for years and do not believe that they can be cured.
There are in fact many therapies such as CBT that have worked with extreme social anxiety sufferers. Moreover, since social anxiety was the last discovered anxiety disorder there are new treatments that are being developed. If you're interested in these latest techniques click here to read more.
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