Posted on 1st January, 2024 at 6:38:14 AM
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder referred to as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder that causes intense fear in social settings. People with this disorder have problems talking to people, meeting new people, and attending social gatherings. They fear being judged or examined by others. They may think that their fears are unreasonable or irrational, but feel powerless to overcome them. Social anxiety is not shyness.
Shyness is short-term and doesn’t disrupt one’s life. Social anxiety is debilitating as well as persistent. It can affect one’s ability to:
Physical symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder:
a. blushing
b. nausea
c. excessive sweating
d. trembling or shaking
e. difficulty speaking
f. dizziness or lightheadedness
g. rapid heart rate
Psychological symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder:
It is quite normal to sometimes feel the anxiousness. But in the case of social phobia, you have a constant fear of being judged by others or humiliated in front of them. You may avoid all social situations, including:
1 .asking a question
Make it clear that symptoms of social anxiety may or may not occur in all situations. someone can have limited or selective anxiety. For example, symptoms may only trigger while eating in front of people or talking to strangers. Only in extreme cases, symptoms can trigger in all social settings.
If you are experiencing social anxiety in all situations consulting a Psychiatrist is a better option. Dr Sagnik Mukherjee, Kolkata Psychiatrist is the best neuropsychiatrist in Kolkata.
What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?
The proper cause of the social phobia is unknown. However, researchers coined the idea that it is caused by a combination of genetic or environmental factors. Negative experiences also may contribute to this disorder, including:
Physical abnormalities such as a serotonin imbalance may contribute to this condition. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps regulate mood. An overactive amygdala (a structure in the brain that controls fear responses and feelings or thoughts of anxiety) may also cause these disorders.
Anxiety disorders can run in families. However, researchers aren’t sure if they’re linked to genetic factors. For example, a child might develop an anxiety disorder by learning the behavior of one of their parents who has an anxiety disorder. Children can also develop anxiety disorders as a result of being raised in controlling or overprotective environments.
Diagnosing Social Anxiety Disorder:-
No medical test is available to check for social anxiety disorder. The trained psychiatrist will diagnose social phobia from a description of your symptoms. Psychiatrists can also diagnose social phobia after examining certain behavioural patterns.
During your appointment, the Doctor will ask you to explain your symptoms. They will also ask you to talk about situations that cause your symptoms. The criteria for social anxiety disorder include:
