Social Anxiety Disorder Explained
Feeling uncomfortable and shy in social situations is not uncommon.
Many people are not quite as at ease at parties, work functions or business meetings as they would like.
These are natural personality traits.
Some people are more introverted than others by nature and differences like this make the world go round.
However, when there is a fear of social situations to the point of intense feelings of discomfort and physical symptoms such as shaking, blushing, sweating, nausea and even panic attacks, then this may be an anxiety disorder known as Social Anxiety Disorder, or SAD.
SAD is considered to be the third most prevalent mental disorder after depression and alcoholism.
Indeed, alcoholism and SAD often go hand in hand.
If you feel uncomfortable at a party, what is usually the first thing you reach for? Alcohol.
SAD affects millions of people around the world and, in untreated, can lead to Social Phobia.
This is very similar to agoraphobia in that it leads to a very isolated existence.
Social phobics feel that everyone is watching them to see them fail, to make a fool of themselves.
There is such a fear of judgment and humiliation that the heart begins to pound, a sweat breaks out and this may increase the anxiety to the point of panic attack.
After such an episode, avoidance behavior sets in.
Ironically, the more social interaction is avoided, the worse the disorder becomes until not only are social situations shunned but work and business related ones as well.
For example, a person who suffers from SAD may refuse a promotion because it means speaking in public or conducting business meetings.
Social Anxiety Disorder usually begins in childhood and early adolescence.
It is more likely to occur in those who are very shy by nature who are not given sufficient encouragement to develop social skills.
Research has shown that introverts are more sensitive to nuances of verbal speech and are more likely to read non-verbal body language in negative way.
This is evident in the increased activity in the amygdala and insula, parts of the brain which process and control emotions.
Many people are not quite as at ease at parties, work functions or business meetings as they would like.
These are natural personality traits.
Some people are more introverted than others by nature and differences like this make the world go round.
However, when there is a fear of social situations to the point of intense feelings of discomfort and physical symptoms such as shaking, blushing, sweating, nausea and even panic attacks, then this may be an anxiety disorder known as Social Anxiety Disorder, or SAD.
SAD is considered to be the third most prevalent mental disorder after depression and alcoholism.
Indeed, alcoholism and SAD often go hand in hand.
If you feel uncomfortable at a party, what is usually the first thing you reach for? Alcohol.
SAD affects millions of people around the world and, in untreated, can lead to Social Phobia.
This is very similar to agoraphobia in that it leads to a very isolated existence.
Social phobics feel that everyone is watching them to see them fail, to make a fool of themselves.
There is such a fear of judgment and humiliation that the heart begins to pound, a sweat breaks out and this may increase the anxiety to the point of panic attack.
After such an episode, avoidance behavior sets in.
Ironically, the more social interaction is avoided, the worse the disorder becomes until not only are social situations shunned but work and business related ones as well.
For example, a person who suffers from SAD may refuse a promotion because it means speaking in public or conducting business meetings.
Social Anxiety Disorder usually begins in childhood and early adolescence.
It is more likely to occur in those who are very shy by nature who are not given sufficient encouragement to develop social skills.
Research has shown that introverts are more sensitive to nuances of verbal speech and are more likely to read non-verbal body language in negative way.
This is evident in the increased activity in the amygdala and insula, parts of the brain which process and control emotions.
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