Social phobia is commonly occurring condition affecting adults and children in the United States. While most of the fears and anxieties felt by those who suffer are largely unfounded and irrational to other people, they feel that it is real. While social phobia is a difficult situation to contend with, it is treatable. With the right attitude and positive outlook, those who suffer and the people around them can work together to overcome social phobia and its related disorders. Below are some do’s and don’ts when dealing with social phobia:
Do’s:
1.Do consult a mental health professional or counsellor.
If you suffer from psychological and physical symptoms like prolonged worrying over irrational issues, fear of certain situations, shortness of breath, palpitations, excessive sweating, and nausea, consult your general practitioner. He or she may recommend a mental health professional to oversee your condition and prescribe the appropriate treatments.
2.Do take appropriate medication.
Appropriate medication, in this case, means medicines that are prescribed for you by your doctor. Each person is different and their reactions to drugs also vary. Taking another person’s anti-anxiety medication may not produce the desired results. What worked well for another may produce adverse side effects on you.
3.Do practice anxiety and stress management techniques.
Some people develop the nasty habit of being too dependent on their medications. Instead of popping a pill every time you feel anxious, try practicing stress management and anxiety-relieving techniques. Techniques like deep breathing, thought-direction, and meditation can help alleviate stress and anxiety the natural way.
4.Do join a support group.
A support group can provide people who suffer from social phobia with shared experiences and mutual sympathies. By joining a support group, you can get access to more information about your particular disorder, professional advice, and camaraderie from people who are having the same experiences as you do. As such, you can learn something from their experience and they, from yours.
5.Do try to overcome fears and anxieties.
Medication and therapy are just two ways to reduce anxiety. The total elimination of your worries and fears relies on overcoming them. While anxieties are not cured overnight, you can take small steps that can bring you closer towards eliminating them. For example, if you are afraid of crowded spaces, go to a mall for 15 minutes, gradually increasing the time you spend inside.
Don’ts:
1.Don’t belittle the fears and anxieties felt by people who suffer.
The knee-jerk reaction of most people when patients confide their anxieties is to dismiss these fears as trivial. This kind of reaction only encourages those who suffer to keep mum about their conditions.
2.Don’t let the fear control your life.
While social phobia can make you afraid of social situations, do not let this fear direct your life. Take control and do the necessary measures to control your anxieties by seeking treatment.
3.Don’t force an excessively anxious person into fighting the fear overnight.
Forcing a person or yourself to overcome fears instantly just adds up to the pressure and stress. Small but gradual steps taken to overcome the fear are more effective.
4.Don’t turn to bad habits to relieve the stress, tension, and anxiety.
While habits like inappropriate popping of anxiety pills, drinking, and smoking may relieve the stress and fear temporarily, they do not really help you in overcoming anxiety.
5.Don’t weasel out of therapy appointments.
Seeking treatment is making a commitment to get well. While going to therapy sessions is understandably uncomfortable for someone with social phobia, it is unwise to weasel out of appointments. Take a friend with you if it will help you feel more comfortable.
Do’s:
1.Do consult a mental health professional or counsellor.
If you suffer from psychological and physical symptoms like prolonged worrying over irrational issues, fear of certain situations, shortness of breath, palpitations, excessive sweating, and nausea, consult your general practitioner. He or she may recommend a mental health professional to oversee your condition and prescribe the appropriate treatments.
2.Do take appropriate medication.
Appropriate medication, in this case, means medicines that are prescribed for you by your doctor. Each person is different and their reactions to drugs also vary. Taking another person’s anti-anxiety medication may not produce the desired results. What worked well for another may produce adverse side effects on you.
3.Do practice anxiety and stress management techniques.
Some people develop the nasty habit of being too dependent on their medications. Instead of popping a pill every time you feel anxious, try practicing stress management and anxiety-relieving techniques. Techniques like deep breathing, thought-direction, and meditation can help alleviate stress and anxiety the natural way.
4.Do join a support group.
A support group can provide people who suffer from social phobia with shared experiences and mutual sympathies. By joining a support group, you can get access to more information about your particular disorder, professional advice, and camaraderie from people who are having the same experiences as you do. As such, you can learn something from their experience and they, from yours.
5.Do try to overcome fears and anxieties.
Medication and therapy are just two ways to reduce anxiety. The total elimination of your worries and fears relies on overcoming them. While anxieties are not cured overnight, you can take small steps that can bring you closer towards eliminating them. For example, if you are afraid of crowded spaces, go to a mall for 15 minutes, gradually increasing the time you spend inside.
Don’ts:
1.Don’t belittle the fears and anxieties felt by people who suffer.
The knee-jerk reaction of most people when patients confide their anxieties is to dismiss these fears as trivial. This kind of reaction only encourages those who suffer to keep mum about their conditions.
2.Don’t let the fear control your life.
While social phobia can make you afraid of social situations, do not let this fear direct your life. Take control and do the necessary measures to control your anxieties by seeking treatment.
3.Don’t force an excessively anxious person into fighting the fear overnight.
Forcing a person or yourself to overcome fears instantly just adds up to the pressure and stress. Small but gradual steps taken to overcome the fear are more effective.
4.Don’t turn to bad habits to relieve the stress, tension, and anxiety.
While habits like inappropriate popping of anxiety pills, drinking, and smoking may relieve the stress and fear temporarily, they do not really help you in overcoming anxiety.
5.Don’t weasel out of therapy appointments.
Seeking treatment is making a commitment to get well. While going to therapy sessions is understandably uncomfortable for someone with social phobia, it is unwise to weasel out of appointments. Take a friend with you if it will help you feel more comfortable.
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