Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is more than just shyness. It is a chronic condition that causes intense fear and anxiety in social situations.

People with social phobia often fear being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated, making it difficult to engage in everyday activities. This anxiety can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and ability to function in social settings.

Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

There are innumerable signs and symptoms of social phobia. Common symptoms include:

• Intense fear of being judged by others.
• Fear of embarrassing yourself in public.
• Avoiding social situations (or enduring them with extreme discomfort).
• Sweating, trembling, or racing heart in social settings.
• Excessive worry about upcoming events, tasks, or trips.
• Difficulty speaking or making eye contact (or avoiding it altogether).
• Feeling excessively self-conscious.
• Overanalyzing social situations after the fact and worrying about your actions and conversations.

The licensed therapists at Beach House can help you identify the root cause of your social anxiety disorder and offer treatment therapies to help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and reclaim your confidence.

Causes and Risk Factors

Like many anxiety disorders, the root cause of social anxiety disorder is unknown, but it is likely a combination of the following:

• Family history.
• An overactive amygdala (a part of the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions).
• Learned behaviors or past negative experiences.
• Personality and temperament.
• New social or work demands.
• Having an appearance or condition that draws attention.

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of social anxiety disorder, consult your healthcare provider for a medical evaluation and assessment. Social phobias are treatable with regular talk therapy sessions, medication, or a combination of both, depending on your unique needs.

How Is Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may want to determine whether other factors are contributing to your anxiety before making a diagnosis. To confirm a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder your healthcare provider may:

• Conduct a physical exam to identify or rule out certain medical conditions or medications that may be contributing to symptoms of anxiety.
• Discuss the severity, duration, and potential causes of your symptoms.
• Review a list of situations to see if they make you feel anxious.
• Ask you to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms.

Additionally, they will use criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) book by the American Psychiatric Association. It includes:

• An intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in social situations.
• Avoiding or enduring social situations with extreme anxiety.
• Anxiety that is out of proportion to the situation.
• Anxiety that disrupts daily life.

Together, this information will help your healthcare provider identify the most appropriate social anxiety disorder treatment.

How to Treat Social Anxiety Disorder

You can learn effective coping skills through therapy for social anxiety disorder and taking prescribed medications. These treatments can help you gain confidence and improve your ability to interact with others.

Social phobia treatment options include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Psychoanalysis
• Motivational Interviewing

Your healthcare provider or mental health professional may also prescribe an antidepressant medication as part of your social anxiety disorder treatment.

The licensed therapists at Beach House are skilled in diagnosing and treating several anxiety disorders. If you or a loved one needs help, please reach out to us.

We are ready to greet you with compassion and help you regain social confidence in a warm, welcoming environment.

Get Help with Social Anxiety Today

Beach House Center for Recovery offers several mental health treatment programs to help you find healing, hope, and a path to a brighter tomorrow.

Contact us today to get started.