Social Anxiety Treatment in CT, FL & MA

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 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 our mental health professionals can work to relieve these anxious thoughts and feelings before they escalate to a sense of complete helplessness. If you are located in Connecticut, Florida, or Massachusetts, call us today at (888) 344-3893 to schedule an appointment.

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Persons with social anxiety disorder often appear shy, quiet, and withdrawn.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 can 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

Our psychiatric professionals are 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 our psychiatric professionals are likely to consider when giving a prescription for a patient with social anxiety:

• Anti-anxiety medications: These medications are prescribed sparingly and your provider will determine dosage and duration of use. Anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed in conjunction with anti-depressants to give the anti-depressant time to work. Anti-anxiety medications are meant to be short term only to reduce the potential for dependancy.
• 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, and often take a few weeks to make their way into a person’s system to achieve their full effect. Clear communication with our psychiatric professionals 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 causes 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.

Get Social Anxiety Treatment in CT, FL & MA

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. Our mental health professionals are currently accepting new patients, who may request an appointment by calling (888) 344-3893, or by submitting a request through our online form.