Feeling anxious in a social situation is common, but social anxiety can be far more troubling for some people. When untreated, it can add a great deal of distress to someone’s life. The struggle to manage it alone can be overwhelming and may interfere with work and personal relationships. Today, let’s explain how to recognize if you’ve been affected by Social Anxiety Disorder and what steps to take to find help.

Social Anxiety Disorder tends to develop during the teenage years, and factors can include family history, an appearance that draws unwelcome attention, and negative experiences from bullying or teasing. A person with Social Anxiety Disorder may avoid any social situation where they feel noticed and judged, including work and school. Coping can involve journaling and physical activity as well as seeking professional help. When someone with Social Anxiety Disorder routinely uses drugs or alcohol to cope, a recovery program with additional mental health support is recommended.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

It’s important to understand that Social Anxiety Disorder is a chronic mental health condition. Feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, fear, and self-consciousness appear when someone with Social Anxiety Disorder senses they’re being observed and judged. It can have a profound impact on a person’s life. Every aspect of a daily routine, personal relationships, and work or school can be affected by it.

What are the causes for Social Anxiety Disorder?

There is no one cause for Social Anxiety Disorder, but certain experiences in the formative years can lead to this kind of social anxiety. Some of those factors are being bullied as a teen, having a family member with social anxiety, and having a history of abuse. A person whose appearance or condition draws unwelcome attention may also develop a social anxiety disorder.

Triggers for Social Anxiety Disorder

Routine social interactions and expectations can be triggers for social anxiety disorder. The list of trigger situations includes talking to strangers, starting conversations, and public speaking. Other triggers can be eating in front of others, using public restrooms, and going to parties. Keep in mind, someone with Social Anxiety Disorder may not be affected to the same degree by every situation.

What happens when social anxiety is ignored?

When you ignore feelings of social anxiety, it can turn into Social Anxiety Disorder, which has physical symptoms alongside a feeling of dread in social situations. A person may notice their heart beating rapidly, they may feel dizzy or lightheaded, and they tend to experience stomach problems in these situations. People with Social Anxiety Disorder tend to avoid situations that create these feelings. They may have trouble developing friendships, experience depression, and become sensitive to criticism. It can even affect someone’s ability to maintain a job and grow in it.

Ways to Cope with Social Anxiety Disorder

Coping with Social Anxiety Disorder can come from finding ways to manage and reduce anxiety every day. Journaling may be a helpful strategy. Making notes about your experiences with social anxiety can give you a place to put those feelings as they come up or sometime during the day. Physical activity you can do alone, such as yoga or bike riding, is another strategy to release the tension of social anxiety. Creating a list of priorities in your week is another option. Focus on what needs to get done, including your self-care. Look for alternatives to accomplishing your goals without the need to be in a social situation every time. Finding professional help for your mental health is a valuable way to learn even more coping skills.

Find help at Origins Behavioral Healthcare.

Origins Behavioral Healthcare treats people whose social anxiety disorder has led to substance use. In treatment, we’re helping an individual recognize what causes their social anxiety. It’s common to see a patient who turned to drugs or alcohol early as a way to cope with the overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Treatment for social anxiety disorder becomes two-part: restoring their mental health so they can function in life and at work and beginning a recovery they can sustain beyond a residential program.

Origins Behavioral Healthcare is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1296.