Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a chronic, debilitating anxiety disorder that is prevalent worldwide and affects young people at some point in their lives. Comorbidities such as major depression, substance abuse, reduced educational and job attainment, and increased suicide risk pose a significant public health burden.
The pandemic has, at one point, created physical distancing between people. Most meetings and correspondence were online only. Most of us are facing difficulties because of this transition now that we are almost back to where we were before. Many people now hate physical meetings and feel insecure.
There are several common symptom areas of social anxiety. Some of them are:
social situation
Most adolescents dislike attending social events, especially those involving relatives or close relatives. They find it difficult to have a conversation and feel awkward when forced to participate in it.
Telecommuting culture
Some individuals say they are happy with their work from home (WFH) setup and quit jobs that require in-person attendance.
school/university attendance
Many young people feel insecure about their grades and appearance and feel that staying at home and participating in online lectures made them feel more secure. Because of the implications, some students preferred to only attend bunk college or during exams.
performance oriented
Performance-oriented social anxiety disorder causes intense fear and anxiety when speaking or performing in public, but not in other, more common social situations.
past history
Social anxiety disorder usually develops around the age of 13. It may be related to a history of abuse, bullying, or teasing. Shy children, like children with intimidating or controlling parents, are more likely to become socially anxious adults. May cause anxiety.
online socialization
Most young people make friends on social media platforms. These friends often just talked online and never met in person. People here are free to choose who they want to talk to based on their likes and dislikes. These online friends provide validation for each other, so people don’t feel the emptiness of not meeting people in person.
reliability issues
Most people have been betrayed at some point by a peer, friend, or relationship.This leads them to lose trust in new friendships and associations. , and do not try to get to know anyone for fear of being betrayed. Bad experiences also typecast all individuals as the same.
comparison
Fear of being compared, of not being as good as others, keeps people out of social situations altogether. In social situations where two of her, often of the same age group, meet, there is a greater tendency to compare who is doing what. Some people hate this and choose not to participate in social situations.
common symptoms
physical symptoms
The physical symptoms a person may experience include profuse sweating, tightness in the chest, trembling voice, dry mouth, ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, headaches, and shortness of breath.
emotional symptoms
Negative judgment based on poor social performance, constant worry, extreme awkwardness or inferiority complex around those in power, extreme reluctance to express opinions, embarrassment or inferiority complex strong fear of
child symptoms
In children, anxiety about interacting with adults and peers can manifest in crying, throwing tantrums, clinging to parents, and refusing to speak in social situations.
treatment
A variety of treatment options can help you manage your symptoms, build confidence, and overcome anxiety. However, without treatment, social anxiety disorder can make people feel better or worse, but it can be lifelong. Health professionals usually recommend treatment with psychotherapy, medication, or both.
Conclusion
Social anxiety disorder is not uncommon. About 5% to 10% of people worldwide suffer from social anxiety disorder. It is her third most common mental illness after substance use disorders and depression.
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder can change over time. When a person faces many changes, stresses, or demands in their life, they can flare up. If left untreated, anxiety can last for a long time.
Alisha Lalljee is a psychologist, special educator and psychotherapist working in Bandra, Mumbai.
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