Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Why does social anxiety occur?

While compared with the characteristics of an introverted personality, social anxiety disorder is a diagnosis under the anxiety umbrella, which can be caused by a number of different things. Some put social awkwardness down to a lack of confidence, others too low engagement as a child, and others around a lack of social skills. However, a social anxiety disorder can amount to both nature and nurture stimuli.

Social anxiety can be taught by reflecting on the choices and behaviours of others. It can be genetic, passed down through genes. Isolation from a young age through parental upbringings can also motivate the uneasy feeling of social exposure. Early life events, where trauma or distress is experienced can also be subconsciously attached to socialisation, making any form of interaction difficult to accept.

Cognitive weaknesses, focusing on brain structure and the susceptibility of mental health issues is also a driver of social anxiety. All of the above, paired with unrealistic expectations of socialisation can all trigger the symptoms of social anxiety, which if untreated or undiagnosed, can develop into an ongoing disorder.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of social anxiety, including the below, this shouldn’t be put down to your personality type or confidence, but down to the risks of social phobia. In this instance, social anxiety disorder treatment will be beneficial, to offer perspective and management of such symptoms.

Signs of social anxiety include:

• Panic, including active attacks over socialisation
• An extreme concern of any form of engagement
• The inclination to attend social events
• The desire to isolate oneself from others
• Negative thoughts over socialisation
• The inability to complete everyday tasks and responsibilities down to worry
• Feeling paranoid over the impacts of social interaction

Suitable social anxiety disorder treatment

There are some proactive self-help tips surrounding the maintenance of anxiety. Breathing and relaxation techniques are a good starting point, to help promote mindfulness and balance. Increasing personal understanding around triggers and how to manage the exposure of such triggers can control symptoms of social anxiety.

However, as feelings of anxiety will be linked to a deeper meaning, for most, in tandem with self-help, professional social anxiety disorder treatment will be recommended.

Suitable forms of treatment for social anxiety disorder focus on psychological restoration, to change negative outlooks and habits, with the aim of positivity. Cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling are the most effective forms of treatment, to unravel emotional responses, and retune them to digest perspectives.

You may currently see social situations as the enemy. However, it’s likely that social situations have taken the fall for greater emotional response, which will need to be changed in order to adapt to the exposure to socialisation. Through CBT and talking therapies, you can work to change your perspectives, to see socialisation as a positive for your mood, confidence and lifestyle, rather than a negative.

Antidepressants and mood stabilisers may also be recommended as a treatment option, to help suppress and control symptoms of anxiety. However, such medications are only beneficial in moments of panic. Instead, understanding, education, change and management will be aimed through psychological treatment services, followed by self-help tips.

At Nova Recovery we offer treatment for social anxiety for people who are suffering from substance abuse to drugs or alcohol. Dual diagnosis treatment aims to treat both mental health and physical addiction to give you the best chance of long-term recovery.