How do you cope with or treat social anxiety?

Question

Is this something that requires medication always, or can it be treated by other means, such as cognitive therapy, herbal supplements, vitamins, etc? Do you know someone who has overcome this? Is it prone to relapses once it's overcome, or is it gone for good once it's treated?

In terms of medication, what are some effective and low sideaffect meds out there for this condition?

Some of you mentioned anti depressants, however, I am not the least bit depressed and don't experience any mood swings, so it is just the social anxiety itself that I would like to know how to treat. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

Answer 1

Social Anxiety Disorder

Treatment Overview


Treatment for social anxiety disorder involves psychological counseling and sometimes medications (such as antidepressants) to reduce associated anxiety and depression.

A combination of medications and professional counseling is most effective for people who have generalized anxiety and fear over many social situations.4 For those who fear only one or a few social situations (such as public speaking or eating in front of others), professional counseling to overcome the fear may be all that is needed.2

Initial treatment
Initial treatment of social anxiety disorder is based on the severity of your emotional and physical symptoms, your ability to function in daily activities, and whether you have additional conditions, such as depression or substance abuse problems.

Social anxiety disorder often goes undetected for years before treatment is sought—by that time, you may have developed behaviors that accommodate the fears. These habits or behaviors must be overcome to successfully manage social anxiety disorder.

First, your health professional must determine whether you are generally anxious about all social encounters, or whether a specific situation triggers anxiety.

Treatment with a combination of medications and professional counseling is often effective for generalized social anxiety disorder (fear of most public interaction). Some people need treatment throughout their lives, while others may recover completely after a period of treatment with counseling and medications.

Types of counseling most often used to treat social anxiety disorder include:2

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps you identify anxieties and the situations that provoke the anxiety. Initially, you may feel uncomfortable while addressing the feared situations, but it is an important part of your recovery. Several types of cognitive-behavioral therapy are used to treat social anxiety disorder, including:
Exposure therapy. You will be guided by a professional counselor to imagine you are facing the feared situation until you no longer fear it, such as eating in public. Next, you may go with your counselor to a public place and eat until, eventually, you can eat by yourself in public without fear.
Social skills training. This therapy helps you develop the skills you need in social situations through rehearsing and role-playing. Your anxiety is reduced as you become more comfortable with and prepared for the feared social situations.
Cognitive restructuring. This therapy helps you learn to identify and improve fearful thinking to help you better handle social situations.
Symptom management skills. This therapy teaches you how to reduce stress by controlling your breathing and other physical responses to anxiety.
Supportive therapy. This can include:
Education about the disorder.
Family therapy, to support loved ones affected by your condition.
Group therapy or support groups, to seek support from others also diagnosed with the disorder.

Answer 2

Boy, can I relate to you. I grew up fearing social situations. I would blush and sometimes hyperventilate. As I grew older, the situation eased up. I took public speaking in high school and college. It's like you have to face the enemy. There are anti-depressants and stuff out there, but I really never found they took t he edge off. I would recommend counseling and dealing with why the social situation causes you so much anxiety. I had low self esteem. But after living a little and surviving the military, I had more confidence in myself. When I spoke in front of groups, I picked topics that I was so excited about I forgot to be nervous. Good Luck!

Answer 3

How do you cope with or treat social anxiety?
Is this something that requires medication always, or can it be treated by other means, such as cognitive therapy, herbal supplements, vitamins, etc? Do you know someone who has overcome this? Is it prone to relapses once it's overcome, or is it gone for good once it's treated?

You have to just DEAL with it!

Answer 4

Give it a lot more time. I did the same thing. I am very introverted, and it took me almost 2 years to become interested in dating. First, don't feel bad about being socially anxious or introverted. Use this time, not feeling that you "should" be out looking for another guy, but actually evaluating what it is you DON'T want in a relationship. This one ended for a reason......you have learned something valuable in what you don't need in a relationship, and what to look for next time. This ensures that you will most likely find someone much better next time. If you don't want to "hang out", that is great. From what you have written, you are still in the mindset of being in an established relationship, and will need to use your introvert qualities to focus more on yourself and what is best for you again. You are obviously a person who wants quality and sincerity in your interactions, and won't stand for just "hanging out". Good move. I did the same thing, and had nothing to do with anyone who didn't meet my standard of respectfulness to my introversion, and I married him. He was the first guy I had eyes for those 2 years after my previous relationship ended. He is very outgoing and social, but knows that I am very introverted and respects that. These guys exist. Don't accept a new relationship if they aren't exactly what you want. There are several introversion websites on the net. If you haven't checked them out, do so now. You won't feel so guilty about your choice to not date casually. Introverts hate outside controls anyway, so don't make yourself think about "shoulds". You'll do great.

Answer 5

I deal with oit by forcing myself to go to social events like family gatherings and church. I also take Ativa, which calms my nerves, but, is addictive.
My sister, who suffers also from it, takes xanax.
The best way to cope is to not give up hope. The more you avoid things the harder they are to face. Medicine does help a lot, but, you also need to probably work on your feelings of self worth and confidence too.
Hang around with only those who make you feel good about yourself, then you will want to be more sociable. If the fears are keeping you from life, you need to see a therapist.
God bless you, you are not alone.

Answer 6

Eliminate Social Anxiety And Shyness : http://tinyurl.com/KQrL6f7rKy

Answer 7

You don't necessarily need medication. (Although I always wonder why people don't consider herbs medication, they can have the same positive and negative effects). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy can work very well for social anxiety, maybe better than meds, and the effects last longer.

Answer 8

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 9

Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety
It is VERY Best thing going. It even helped me with my depression and my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and self confidence.
this is the web site it has a test to take and all the information you need. http://www.stresscenter.com/

Answer 10

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is best.

But a healthy lifestyle in general is always recomended.

Make sure you take you omega acids and multi-vit.

Youll reach plateaus and generally any relapse will ony take you to your last plateau.

SSRI meds suck.

I know ONE person who has ever benifitted from them, and thats only his opinion, everyone that knows him says otherwise.