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Trichotillomania
- Coping with
Social Anxiety
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Social
Anxiety Disorder
(Social Phobia)
The high-tech society of today truly caters to the person who suffers
from Social Anxiety Disorder. Living in the age of the Internet,
email, text messaging, and caller ID, only makes it easier for a
socially anxious person to avoid certain feared situations. The
wonderful technology that we have has made it possible for people to
make a living, go shopping, use services, and have “relationships”
without ever seeing or directly interacting with another person.
Ultimately, living like this can be detrimental and deeply
unsatisfying. The clinicians at Advanced Behavioral Health understand
the struggles, discomfort, and dissatisfaction that Social Anxiety
Disorder causes and hope that you will find comfort and motivation in
the knowledge that this problem can improve.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
In the 1960's when the idea of social phobia was first recognized,
doctors considered it a very rare condition. Today, however, we know
that social anxiety affects at least 1 in 10 people at some time
during their lives. Social anxiety, or social phobia, is the distinct,
persistent fear of one or more social situations in which you are
afraid of being scrutinized by others or in which you fear that you
will act in an embarrassing or humiliating way. Social Anxiety
Disorder is diagnosed if you avoid these social situations or endure
them only with intense discomfort. Social Anxiety Disorder can be
either “Specific” or “Generalized.” You might have specific social
anxiety if your discomfort is limited to one or two social situations
such as speaking in front of a group or confronting someone in a
position of authority. Generalized social anxiety is more pervasive in
that your fear extends to almost all situations where other people are
present.
Who is affected by Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder does not discriminate between gender or
socio-economic class. It has been found in almost every culture
studied, although its presentation and recognition vary among
different societies. Social anxiety is widespread and debilitating if
undiagnosed and untreated. Social anxiety typically originates in
childhood or early adolescence, and is not something that most people
can just “grow out of.” Too often, symptoms worsens over time to the
point of interfering with relationships, education/career, and
day-to-day activities.
What can be done?
Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of
the most effective treatments in reducing the phobic avoidance
associated with social anxiety. CBT is a proactive, relatively
short-term mode of therapy. It is designed to help people challenge
their unhealthy behaviors and maladaptive thoughts that lead to
avoidance of social situations. A cognitive-behavioral psychologist
acts like a coach or an educator who teaches you necessary skills in
order to manage your anxiety and cope with your discomfort in social
situations. CBT can be conducted individually or in a group. Group
therapy for social anxiety has proven to be particularly effective, as
it is a safe place to simulate “real life” social situations and to
meet other people struggling with problems similar to yours.
To learn about Overcoming Social Anxiety Disorder
click here
Contact Dr. Ori Shinar by phone (917) 806-0155 |
