Treat Social Anxiety.
You can expect to feel nervous standing backstage waiting to speak in front of a waiting crowd. Feeling nervous is common when you’re about to get interviewed for a job. Nervousness is normal; it’s to be expected on occasion. If social embarrassment is so scary to you, however, that you’re reluctant to risk even a slight case of embarrassment, you could be suffering from a social anxiety disorder.
You would also find this helpful: Symptoms of Social Anxiety .
This condition is very troubling because it diminishes the quality of life lived by those who suffer from it. They might know their anxiety is unreasonably bloated, but to those who experience its physical symptoms, it’s too real to ignore.Scientific research is ongoing to relate anxiety and social phobia to genetic causes. But before the release of conclusive evidence, therapy is still the recommended treatment.
Social Anxiety Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy .
Among the various treatment methods for anxiety disorders including social anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Theraphy (CBT) is one of the most effective. CBT is the accepted standard treatment for social anxiety despite other options. Here’s how it works: Thoughts determine feelings and feelings determine behavior in different situations.
Clearly, CBT deals with the cause of physical symptoms as it treats these symptoms. As a rule, CBT works with a three-step approach: First, CBT helps you with physical symptoms; it guides you through steps for staying on top of it.Controlled breathing techniques are effective for controlling ragged breathing. Secondly, you acquire the skill to consciously replace your negative thoughts with new, normal ones.Lastly, you are gradually exposed to social situations so that you learn to face them without fear. Desensitizing is most effective in group sessions but can also be done in individual sessions.
Here is another recommended reading: Social Anxiety Secrets Review .
Other Techniques for Social Anxiety Treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is unnecessary in all cases as there are varying degrees of social phobia. Helping yourself in cases of mild or moderate social phobia is often effective with breathing methods and relaxation.
For example, practicing controlled breathing relieves physical symptoms of anxiety. Shallow breathing leads to dizziness. Escalating pulse rates and building muscular tension can be expected with this symptom. Breathing slowly, deeply relieves tension and relaxes your muscles. As your lungs fill with air and you exhale, you’d feel the pounding in your chest ease.
Switching to healthier habits does you immense good as well. Choose tea over coffee and you’re instantly doing away with shaking – a common symptom of anxiety. A powerful stimulant versus a calming brew. Coffee causes increased heartbeat while chamomile tea gives you a sense of calm.
To find out more on this, see Social Anxiety Treatment.
Filed under Health by Lifelong Health on Sep 7th, 2010.