Social anxiety is a fear of social situations that can be crippling for sufferers. It can be triggered by big gatherings, small get-togethers and even needing to interact with strangers — for example, when out shopping.
People with social anxiety will often completely avoid social events when possible; they may come across as socially awkward and avoid eye contact and mumble, or will use coping mechanisms like replaying events over and over in their mind to convince themselves they’ve done something wrong.
Social anxiety is something that’s being diagnosed more often, due to greater awareness about the condition, but the main question people have when diagnosed will be ‘how do I treat it?’ It’s not something you can get rid of overnight, so here are some treatment options for those with social anxiety.
#1 Medication
The first instinct of many doctors is to prescribe medication for social anxiety. There are a number of prescription drugs that can help with social anxiety, so if one drug doesn’t work for you, then don’t give up. Of course, prescription medication isn’t a magical cure, it works best when combined with therapy, but they can help you overcome the physical aspects of anxiety and make it easier for you to start reaching your goals.
The main downside of taking prescription medications is that you are likely to have side effects. The first few weeks can be especially rough, although most people find they then even out and get easier to manage.
Some common side effects of anxiety medication include:
- Drowsiness, dizziness or exhaustion
- Digestive problems, indigestion, nausea
- Lack of appetite or an increased appetite and weight gain
- Insomnia
- Decreased sex drive
If you have any side effects, speak with your doctor. They can help you decide whether to continue with the medication or try something else such as delta 8 THC products from Finest Labs.
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Another option to consider outside of these are kava.
According to WebMD, kava kava contains substances called kavapyrones which “act much like alcohol on your brain making you feel calm, relaxed, and happy. The plant is also thought to relieve pain, prevent seizures, and relax muscles”.
You can buy it as an herbal supplement online and in health food stores. In fact, you can get kava kava for sale here from Kava Guides.
#2 Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is often recommended for those with social anxiety disorders. There are a number of psychotherapy techniques used for social anxiety, from gradual exposure, where people are exposed to things they fear in controlled doses, to cognitive restructuring, where people learn to think about themselves in a more positive way.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is perhaps the most common form of therapy used for those with social anxiety. CBT helps people see social situations in a different light and helps them confront their ways of thinking. For example, you would:
- Learn to identify what triggers your social anxiety
- Test your logic – why do you think these anxious thoughts? CBT teaches you to identify thoughts that are irrational or unhelpful
- Learn to be mindful and live in the present, rather than worry about the future
- Work on doing low-level social interactions, then over time, do more things that make you anxious, until speaking to others feels natural
CBT can be very helpful, although it’s important to stick at it and follow the instructions, as well as doing follow up sessions if your therapist recommends them.
#3 Residential Treatment
Residential treatment may seem like a big step and it’s not for everyone. However, if you have moderate to severe social anxiety, and you want to undergo intensive treatment, then it’s best to opt for a residential environment. Taking a month or so out of your life and going through treatment is an excellent way to overcome social anxiety and learn to face your fears.
Residential treatment isn’t just for adults. Younger people can also benefit from these kinds of programs run by Ignite Teen Treatment, who offer programs to help with social anxiety. It’s important that treatment for younger people is tailored to their age group, so they feel relaxed and can get treatment suitable for them.
Residential treatment programs usually include:
- Individual and group therapy
- CBT and other talking therapies
- Supervised days out to practice skills learned in therapy
- Group activities to allow for controlled exposure to social situations
- Mindfulness and meditation sessions as well as other holistic treatments
All this is done in a safe, supportive environment, so while people are often very nervous about going to treatment, they soon settle in and feel the benefits of this sort of program.
#4 Self-Care at Home
While you are undergoing therapy and trying medication, there are things you can do at home that can help with your social anxiety. There are several exercises to help social anxiety sufferers, such as slowly doing things that in the past would have scared you.
For example, if you hate talking to strangers, you could go out in public and set yourself the goal of talking to one stranger, even if it’s just asking a shop worker a question. Once you’ve done this, your mind will start to realize that you don’t need to avoid these situations.
Another thing you can do is sign up for the gym. Not only does exercise help anxiety in general, a gym is a social environment where you’ll sometimes have to speak to strangers or ask for help. While this can be a scary thought, it can really be a step in the right direction
#5 Alternative Medicine
While it doesn’t have the same effect as prescription medication, those with mild symptoms may benefit from alternative therapies. This doesn’t necessarily mean taking herbal supplements: some alternative treatments for anxiety can be as simple as cutting out caffeine and alcohol, switching to a healthier diet and generally taking care of yourself. Some people find that treatments like acupuncture and massage can help them feel more relaxed in general, which can make it easier for them to work on their social anxiety.
There’s no one individual treatment that’s guaranteed to cure social anxiety. For many people, it’s a long struggle to overcome their anxious thoughts and be able to engage with other people without feeling stressed.
However, with a combination of therapies from CBT to medication, it’s certainly possible to treat this condition and have a normal life. Social anxiety can often hold people back and make them feel like they’re not living their best life, so don’t let this happen to you. If you have social anxiety, start looking at treatment options today.
