If you, or someone you know is thinking about suicide or hurting yourself/themselves
Please Call 911 for Emergencies
(800) 273-8255- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and answered locally.
Social Anxiety Disorder
What is social anxiety disorder?
- Marked fear of social or performance situations in which they expect to feel embarrassed, negatively judged, rejected, or fearful of offending others.
- Specific vs. Generalized Social Anxiety
- Specific Social Anxiety is the fear of specific situations; speaking in front of a group, performing in front of a crowd, etc.
- Generalized Social Anxiety feel anxious, nervous, and uncomfortable in almost all social or performance situations.
What are the symptoms?
- Feeling highly anxious about being with other people and having a hard time talking to them
- Feeling very self-conscious in front of other people and worried about feeling humiliated, embarrassed, or rejected, or fearful of offending others
- Being very afraid that other people will judge them
- Worrying for days or weeks before an event where other people will be
- Staying away from places where there are other people
- Having a hard time making friends and keeping friends
- Blushing, sweating, or trembling around other people
- Feeling nauseous or sick to your stomach when other people are around
When might I experience symptoms?
- Being introduced to other people
- Being teased or criticized
- Being the center of attention
- Being watched while doing something
- Meeting people in authority ("important people")
- Most social encounters, especially with strangers
- Going around the room (or table) in a circle and having to say something
- Interpersonal relationships, whether friendships or romantic
- *Not a complete list of situations
How is social anxiety disorder treated?
First,
talk to your athletic trainer, doctor, or health care professional about your symptoms.
Your doctor should do an exam and ask you about your health history to make sure that an unrelated physical problem is not causing your symptoms. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, or counselor
. The first step to effective treatment is to have a diagnosis made, usually by a mental health specialist.
Social anxiety disorder is generally treated with psychotherapy (sometimes called “talk” therapy), medication, or both. Speak with your doctor or health care provider about the best treatment for you.
Resources?
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder#
**Individual Page
National Social Anxiety Center
http://nationalsocialanxietycenter.com/
*** Good Source — Individual Page
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness/index.shtml
***Individual Page
