Social Anxiety Treatment in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Burbank
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, can make individuals feel an overwhelming amount of anxiety during everyday life. This anxiety is typically described as a feeling of self-consciousness, perceived judgment from others, or critical scrutiny from others.
With this particular social disorder, it does not matter whether another individual is a close friend or a complete stranger because the feelings of judgment and anxiety will remain at the same intensity, which can make daily activities quite challenging. Fortunately, developing proper coping mechanisms with help from a specialist at Psychiatry Unplugged can work to relieve these anxious thoughts and feelings before they escalate to a sense of complete helplessness.
If you’re struggling with social anxiety disorder symptoms, contact Psychiatry Unplugged today to schedule a consultation with a specialist. Give us a call at (844) 616-1616 to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form. We have clinics in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Burbank, and see patients via telehealth in California, Nevada, South Carolina, Washington, Oregon, and New York.
Common Characteristics and Symptoms
Persons with social anxiety disorder often appear shy, quiet, and withdrawn. It is not that these individuals wish to avoid interactions or relationships with others, they just have more difficulty in cultivating them due to their social anxiety.
There is no clear cause as to why a person may have social anxiety, though the disorder does seem to be influenced by underdeveloped social skills, misreading of facial signals and body positioning from others, and a family history of social phobia.
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder can be experienced in a variety of common situations, such as:
- New introductions
- Going to school or work
- Speaking, writing, or talking on the phone in public
- Being the focus of a conversation or event
- Meeting authoritative figures
- Dating
- Being observed during a type of test or presentation
- Eating in front of others
- Making eye contact
Individuals with social anxiety often react to uncomfortable situations with a series of uncontrollable physical actions such as blushing, fidgeting, sweating, rapid heartbeat, stiff posture, speaking softly, or even becoming nauseous. These symptoms can be incredibly frustrating, as many with social anxiety disorder are able to logically realize that nothing bad is likely to happen to them in a triggering situation, but they are overrun with these common reactions regardless.
Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder
Fortunately, social anxiety disorder is treatable. There is not a simple cure for this disorder, though symptoms can be properly managed throughout the individual’s life with help from a mental health specialist.
Psychotherapy
The team at Psychiatry Unplugged is able to assist patients in managing their symptoms of social anxiety using elements of psychotherapy to thoroughly discuss triggering situations and then develop a way to cope with them in a healthy way. Psychotherapy is also frequently referred to as talk therapy, which can be helpful in helping patients to realize what their triggers are, how they can avoid them, and how they can reduce their severity should they occur.
Medication
Medications are frequently prescribed to individuals that suffer from a wide array of different anxiety disorders. Certain medications may work better for one person than another, which is often dependent on the specific symptoms they experience, and the severity of those symptoms. Of these many types of medication, there are three primary categories that a psychiatrist is likely to consider when giving a prescription for a patient with social anxiety:
- Anti-anxiety medications: These are typically used at doses that taper off over a week or so to prevent dependency which could worsen and reinforce anxious thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
- Beta-blockers: Usually used for individuals with performance anxiety, beta-blockers can help to reduce physical symptoms and reactions to social anxiety.
- Antidepressants: These medications come in many different forms, but SSRI’s are preferred for their selective anxiolytic action on the central and parasympathetic nervous system which when activated diminishes the sympathetic (flight/fight) response. These medications have initial beneficial effects within 7-10 days. Full response usually takes 6-8 weeks.
- Clear communication with your psychiatrist about antidepressant medications is important, as their effects can vary from person to person and not all types are suitable for each individual.
Support Group
Even though interactions with others often cause significant anxiety for those with a social phobia, these reactions can be significantly less intense in a group of individuals who have been diagnosed with the same disorder. By opening up and sharing with those in a similar situation, patients can begin to practice and develop healthy social habits in a low-risk environment.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
The only way to appropriately treat social anxiety is to consult with a mental health specialist about your triggers, symptoms, and which coping mechanisms have worked well for you thus far. Psychiatry Unplugged is currently accepting new patients, who may request an appointment by calling (844) 616-1616 to get started, or by requesting an appointment through our secure online form.
Sources:
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder
