Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Social Anxiety Disorder Shyness or Something Else?

Social anxiety disorder is marked by an overpowering sense of anxiety and self-consciousness during regular social activities. In its mild form, it can be restricted to a certain situation (e.g., public speaking, drinking or eating where people can see you, etc.) and can be mistaken for shyness or introversion. But in its advance form, social anxiety disorder can mean debilitating symptoms whenever the individual is around other persons, no matter what the situation.

Signs of Social Anxiety Disorder

The people and family members around a person with the disorder (also called SAD) may simply think that the person is introverted or unusually shy. In fact, if a person with SAD avoids social situations and develops some skill in suppressing reactions, the illness may go undetected for years.

However, SAD is a progressive disorder and will eventually turn into a phobia so intense that it interferes with school, work, and even everyday chores that require social contact.

The signs of SAD to watch out for are:
An intense fear and embarrassment at being seen by other people
Persistent feelings that the people who see them are judging them
A chronic dread at being humiliated due to their actions

The physical signs of this disorder are:
Blushing/flushes
Intense stomach aches/nausea
Profuse sweating/trembling
Speech difficulties

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the only treatment that has been proven by clinical research to be effective against this disorder. The cognitive-behavioral approach has in fact produced lifelong relief from social anxiety in a great number of patients.

What is most remarkable is that in most cases, patients with the disorder responded better to short periods of treatment rather than longer ones.

Patients CANNOT be counseled out of this disorder. Studies show that patients who were instructed to analyze their phobia only displayed MORE fear and anxiety! This in turn led to depression and hopelessness at ever being rid of the disorder.

Many affordable healthcare services are available throughout the United States. Free, subsidized services are even available through schools, nonprofit organizations, and clinical studies done by the National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov).

Speech Anxiety How to Overcome It

Speech anxiety afflicts a great many beginning public speakers. It is not uncommon to find a person who is terrified at the prospect of having to speak at a roomful of people. Oratory skills are highly regarded and many people associate it with intelligence. It comes as no surprise that a lot of people are terrified of looking like a fool in front of everyone. Overcoming speech anxiety, however, is often necessary to become an effective communicator.

Speech Anxiety Helpful Tips

Speaking in front of groups of people is almost inevitable, even if you dont make a career out of public speaking. Speaking before meetings and business presentations are extremely common. If you suddenly find yourself in this situation, be aware that good public speaking does not entail extraordinary skills. Below are some tips to help you get through.

Be Prepared Always prepare extensively before a speech. It would be very wise to create an outline and stick to its fundamental topics. Make sure you are knowledgeable about the subjects to be discussed. Speech is not merely a dry recital of written essays. The best speeches are candid yet extremely insightful.

Involve The Audience The best way to appear good before an audience is to actually acknowledge their existence. A colorless recitation has very little appeal. Engaging the audience also makes the speech less formal and more comfortable for everyone. A less formal speech, of course, can excuse the speaker from some blunders. A mistake is always magnified in a formal speech.

Use Humor Whats the best way to impress an audience? To make them feel connected to you. And how do you exactly do that? Use humor. Everyone loves to laugh. This can also help you relax. Its also a good strategy for covering up errors when they happen.

Practice Thoroughly Practice makes perfect. Make sure to test yourself before an imaginary audience. No one is skilled enough not to need practice. If possible, let someone hear you. This will let you know if there are missing elements in your speech. Moreover, people who practice frequently find that their speech anxiety actually lessens.