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Is The Problem To Face People Due To Social Anxiety?
I m 18 years old and I seem to have a problem with social anxiety. I ve always been really shy, but since I left school it s increased. Now it s gotten to the point where I hide away from people (If i m at work I hide in the toilets for as long as I can to avoid people), I can t make eye contact with people and if I do I start to sweat and feel nervous, I can t go out by my self (I have to bring my sister everywhere, I can t even buy anything in a shop), and I can t eat in public. I just always assume people are watching and judging me, even if they re not. I don t even feel comfortable speaking to other people and if I do I stutter. It s getting to the point where people just assume I m being rude because I wont look or talk to them. I panic at the at the thought of meeting new people. This also leads to me feeling extremely depressed some days, to the point I question my exsistence. I have thought, but never acted, about ending my life. I just feel really misunderstood. I only have a few friends who all live far away so I rarely get to see them, so I also feel incredibly lonely. What should I do? Does it sound like I have social anxiety?
Mon, 1 Sep 2014
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
I understand that you are wondering whether you have a Social Anxiety Disorder. Social Anxiety is characterized by the following features:
- A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way that will be embarrassing and humiliating.
- Exposure to the feared situation almost invariably provokes anxiety
- The person recognizes that this fear is unreasonable or excessive.
- The feared situations are avoided or else are endured with intense anxiety and distress.
- There is significant impairment of the person's normal routine and functioning.
Based on your description, you seem to be having all the features of a Social Anxiety Disorder.
Don't worry there are effective treatment options to help you overcome your problems. The predominant form of treatment for social anxiety is psychological therapy. There are effective psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which can help you overcome your fear of social situations and your negative pattern of thinking. There are also several specific behavioural therapies, relaxation therapies, hypnotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, etc. which have also been proven to be helpful. So, I would suggest that you consult a psychiatrist in your place for further treatment.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
I understand that you are wondering whether you have a Social Anxiety Disorder. Social Anxiety is characterized by the following features:
- A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way that will be embarrassing and humiliating.
- Exposure to the feared situation almost invariably provokes anxiety
- The person recognizes that this fear is unreasonable or excessive.
- The feared situations are avoided or else are endured with intense anxiety and distress.
- There is significant impairment of the person's normal routine and functioning.
Based on your description, you seem to be having all the features of a Social Anxiety Disorder.
Don't worry there are effective treatment options to help you overcome your problems. The predominant form of treatment for social anxiety is psychological therapy. There are effective psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which can help you overcome your fear of social situations and your negative pattern of thinking. There are also several specific behavioural therapies, relaxation therapies, hypnotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, etc. which have also been proven to be helpful. So, I would suggest that you consult a psychiatrist in your place for further treatment.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
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