If you’re a social anxiety sufferer, you know that your symptoms can be very debilitating. You may not realize it, but anxiety can really interfere with your life. It prevents you from being able to live a full and successful life in many cases. Fortunately, there are some ways to overcome social anxiety disorder and open up to the people in your life.
The first way to overcome social anxiety therapy is through medication – and often both – though in many cases only medication is necessary. Usually, you’ll need about twelve to sixteen weekly therapy sessions. The goal is to develop confidence, learn new skills that help you cope with the situations that frighten you most, and finally get out into the real world. You can find effective social anxiety therapy through a variety of approaches, including some that are very basic and traditional, as well as more specific methods such as desensitization, cognitive restructuring, or exposure therapy.
In addition to treating the symptoms of social anxiety therapy, other steps are necessary to defeat this disorder. You need to work on your underlying mental health, too. There are many options available for treatment, but no single method has been shown to be the most effective for everyone. The best approach combines a variety of different treatments and has been proven to work more quickly than any one method. Psychotherapy, counseling, medication, relaxation techniques, dietary changes, lifestyle changes and exercise all can be used together to help improve your mental health.
Of course, if you have already tried to deal with your anxiety disorder without success, then you should consult with your doctor first. Your doctor can provide you with the information you need to begin seeking treatment and can recommend a suitable therapist for you. Once you have started treatment, you should maintain it. A social anxiety disorder can be quite disabling, so it is important to stick with the treatment you are receiving until it is finished. Staying on top of your treatment may seem daunting, but this is one of the easiest disorders to deal with because it is treatable.
There are different types of social anxiety therapy, and some will focus on one specific social situation or type of situation. For example, relaxation therapy, or psychodynamic therapy, deals with how negative emotions, or fears, can affect your thinking and behavior. Cognitive restructuring teaches you to question your beliefs and replace them with new ones. Exposure therapy exposes you to the things, situations and people that trigger your anxiety attacks. Each of these methods has its own purpose and effect.
There is also a form of social anxiety therapy called a self-help approach. This therapy requires that you take personal responsibility for controlling your anxiety. You will probably be prescribed some form of medication, and you will likely be given detailed instructions on what to do to relieve your symptoms. Many people find that this approach works very well and sticks with them permanently. These individuals often find they have achieved the results they were originally seeking.
If you do not want to use medication, there are other options available in the form of social anxiety therapy. Some psychologists offer CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of social anxiety treatment focuses on changing the way you think and act when faced with social situations. If you have a fear of crowds of people, you may learn how to recognize when you are anxious and how to overcome it. You will learn how to relax in various social situations. You may also learn how to manage your finances better so that social anxiety attacks are less likely to occur.
Your doctor can recommend an individualized form of social anxiety therapy. However, many individuals find it is very helpful to do their own research and to consult with others who have also undergone similar treatment. Talk to your physician about the different options you have for treatment. You may find that social anxiety therapy is exactly what you need to regain control over your social life.
