Is social anxiety or shyness affecting your daily life? Everybody gets a little shy and nervous around others sometimes. going on a date, being introduced to someone new, giving a presentation at a meeting, being watched while demonstrating something; in these situations it's fine to feel a little anxious and apprehensive.
What's described above is not social anxiety disorder. For the sufferer, social situations are unbearable to deal with to the point that the person feels out of control and are extremely fearful. Thoughts of being ridiculed and laughed at by others are typical behaviors.
Social anxiety is one of many anxiety disorders that include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder as well as hundreds of different phobias. Many people develop this disorder in their childhood often not recognizing their problem until adulthood. Being asked to stand up in class, being laughed and teased at by other kids, being neglected, being criticized by parents; growing up can be tough for a child.
Because diagnosis and treatment needs to face to face help, many sufferers find it very difficult to seek help. Excessive drinking and drug use are not uncommon for sufferers in an effort to hide their problem. These can further worsen the symptoms in the long term. In addition, many have lived with their condition for years and do not believe that they can be cured.
Even for long-term sufferers of social anxiety disorder there is hope with effective therapies and treatments available. Moreover, since social anxiety was the last discovered anxiety disorder there are new treatments that are being developed. You can find out about the latest treatments for social anxiety click here