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Around 15 million Americans suffer from a social anxiety disorder, which shows it’s more common than we think.
Social anxiety can prevent you from living your dream life, nurturing bonds with new friends, and expressing yourself. Perhaps you’ve noticed your fear of socializing has deepened into fear and you’re not sure what to do about it.
Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top five social anxiety disorder signs.
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1. Intense Fear of Social Situations
One of the top signs of social anxiety disorder is being terrified of social situations. Sure, we all get jitters before meeting new people, but this is when the feeling becomes debilitating. And this needn’t be attending a party, it could be making a phone call or even asking for assistance in stores.
2. Being Excessively Self-Conscious
Another sign you have social anxiety is if you’re always self-conscious. This stems from low self-esteem and the fear of being judged. As a result, patients with social anxiety are less likely to speak in group settings or strike up conversations with new people.
3. Avoiding Social Gatherings
One of the most obvious signs of social anxiety is if you avoid social gatherings all the time. This is because you feel uncomfortable around new people and you’re worried about not engaging your audience.
Because of this, anyone suffering from social disorders will have anticipatory anxiety where you have an enormous amount of fear before actual encounters with people.
4. Physiological Changes
Anyone who has social anxiety disorder knows the physical symptoms that arise. For instance, you’ll get a rapid heartbeat and even have stomach issues. Other examples include muscle tension, sweating, and being unable to catch your breath.
5. Using Alcohol as a Vice
Many people with social anxiety rely on alcohol to get them through social situations. As a result, patients will become inebriated because they want “liquid courage”. But this is problematic as it makes you reliant on booze and could put your health at risk.
Treatment
Luckily, a social anxiety disorder can be cured when treated correctly. Aside from getting medical marijuana for social anxiety, patients should work with a therapist to find the best option for them.
For instance, patients may try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches them alternative ways of thinking and reacting to social situations. The goal is to change your thought patterns and practice social skills so you’re not overwhelmed in real-life situations.
Many people with social anxiety also take medication like beta-blockers and antidepressants to reduce the symptoms.
Know the Social Anxiety Disorder Signs Today
Hopefully, after reading this article, you know the top social anxiety disorder signs.
Anyone suffering from social anxiety has an intense fear of social situations, often relies heavily on alcohol, and is excessively self-conscious about their behavior around other people. But there is plenty of treatment available, such as medical marijuana, CBT, and antidepressants. Good luck!
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