Afraid of People: Struggling with Social Anxiety

We are all familiar with that quiet kid at the back of the classroom, who never raised his hand. Typically, social anxiety disorder begins during the early teens. Teen often feels like an outsider, or simply someone who just doesn't fit in. Perhaps it's a coworker who rarely speaks at meetings. Someone has to ask their opinion. They display visible signs of fear or discomfort. We know people like this and we've all suffered through the own bouts of shyness. But for some people, shyness goes way beyond what most people could possibly imagine.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is the third most common mental disorder in our society after depression and substance abuse. Interface millions of people worldwide. But what does it feel like to suffer from this disorder, how does it affect families and what causes it? Scientists have recognized the disorder, learned something about the biology, and how common it is in the population. Few people with social anxiety disorder noted, there is very effective and safe treatment available to them. The focus of treatment is to restore confidence, security around friends at a higher level of comfort in the workplace and social gatherings.

People on the Edge

Social anxiety disorder doesn't just include anxiety around others. Those suffering with this disorder typically feel a general state of nervousness all the time. The anxiety is centered on dreading their day and the prospect of being around others. For some, the dread turns into panic. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is among six main kinds of anxiety disorder psychologists now recognize and is considered the most common.

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder typically presents with a generalized uneasiness and over sensitivity to the perception of what others may be thinking. They will often describe themselves as paranoid, but this is not the case at all. The anxiety stems from an interpersonal state of insecurity. So every time they are around other people they feel constantly judged, criticized for evaluated by others. The feelings do not have to be validated. The mere perception alone results in the anxiety.

Loss of Potential

Another problem associated with social anxiety disorder is the loss of potential. These people tend to be the most sensitive and most caring people in our society and the ones we can learn the most from.

Seeking Treatment

The first step is to realize what you are feeling is not simply shyness. If you can rate your anxiety from mild discomfort at the thought of being around others to borderline panic while in a social group, this is not normal. If you're displaying physical signs as a result of being in the presence of others, such as sweating, fidgeting, shortness of breath this is not normal. Although treatment focuses on building self-confidence and building social habits every case is unique and thus requires unique approaches. If you suffer from social anxiety disorder you need not continue to suffer alone.