Social Anxiety Disorder: The Facts
Individuals with mental health conditions rarely get the help they deserve. Despite the great access to quality information today, many still operate under the bias that psychological disorders are things you can just 'shrug off?, a mere product of a hypersensitive mind. As a result, many would rather suffer in silence, than consider seeking professional help.
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Persons with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) are no different. The general public is prone to dismiss their distress as mere shyness, or a simple lack of skill in relating. What many don't realize is that the unease experienced by people with SAD can be so intense and debilitating; it significantly affects their quality of life.
If you're a person with SAD, or want to help someone that you suspect has this condition, it's best to be armed with the facts.
Consider, then, the following facts about Social Anxiety Disorder:
Fact # 1: Social Anxiety Disorder exists.
Social Anxiety Disorder is not the product of an overactive imagination.
Our genetic predisposition, upbringing and life experiences can incline us to handle social situations with significantly more distress than the average person. When the distress has reached overwhelming proportions, so much so that it causes a noticeable decline in our quality of life, then the social anxiety has reached pathological proportions. This is the point when natural social anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder.
Fact # 2: Social Anxiety Disorder is a physical, emotional and mental illness.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder are pervasive; they affect every level of a person's functionality. There are physical (e.g. hypertension), emotional (e.g. depression) and mental (e.g. obsessive thoughts) manifestations of social anxiety.
These symptoms exist in a range in terms of seriousness and severity. Some symptoms are merely irritating. But at their most extreme, SAD symptoms can be life threatening, as in the case when the effect of SAD is heart ailment or suicide attempt.
Because the symptoms of SAD are physical, emotional and mental, it is recommended that any treatment should also be physical, emotional and mental. For example, you can combine breathing exercises, counseling and meditation for a more holistic intervention. A team-up of a medical practitioner and a psychotherapist is also a good way to cover all bases.
Fact # 3: Social Anxiety Disorder is debilitating.
A key criterion for diagnosing SAD is significant impairment in a person's personal, relational and professional life. This means that SAD can keep a person from being happy, initiating and maintaining friendships and working productively. In fact, it can result in a complete halt of a person's normal routine.
It is not difficult to understand why a person would find SAD debilitating. Almost all aspects of our lives are hinged on relating with others. We need to rely on other people to get things done and have our needs met. There is really no way a person can cut themselves from their social network and not be affected.
Fact # 4: Anyone can develop Social Anxiety Disorder.
Lastly, it helps to know that every person is a candidate for Social Anxiety Disorder, although some people are more predisposed to have this illness than others. SAD can have its roots in early childhood, but only manifest itself once a person gets older. It can also have a sudden onset; a person may be socially adjusted one minute, but a traumatic experience can give him a phobia.
Knowing these facts is important; as they say knowledge is power. If you have an accurate understanding of Social Anxiety Disorder, you can make better informed choices towards prevention and/ or recovery.
