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Social anxiety

Social anxiety syndrome is the most common anxiety disorder!

People with social anxiety disorder know that their fear is disproportionate to the actual situation; nonetheless, they struggle to control their anxiety. This anxiety may be specific to certain types of social situations and particular environments, or it can extend to all kinds of social activities.

Common situations that trigger anxiety include interacting with strangers, making eye contact, and starting conversations. Those suffering from social anxiety disorder may experience cognitive, physical, and behavioral symptoms before, during, and after anxiety-provoking social situations.

Cognitive symptoms of the sufferer:

Fear of situations in which unknown people are present

Worry that those around him mentally condemn him

Fear of being embarrassed or humiliated

Fear that others will notice his anxiety

Appearance of fear weeks before the events that cause it

Physical symptoms:

Shyness

Profuse sweating

Trembling of the limbs

Acceleration of heart rate

Avoiding social activity

Leaving/escape from anxiety-provoking situations

Treatment strategies

  • Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation
  • Monitoring one’s negative thoughts and replacing them with more effective ones
  • Gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations to reduce negative experiences
  • Hypnotherapy