Social anxiety and shyness are commonly used for the same characteristics, i.e., fear of being embarrassed in social situations. But they have minor differences, as shyness is the feeling of being reserved or uncomfortable in public gatherings. Whereas social anxiety disorder is the term used for people who experience extreme fear of avoidance that is considered a mental health issue.
Let’s understand how both terms are different from each other and why you need to understand the seriousness of social phobia in detail. You will get to know the need for an expert therapist to cope with the situation of anxiety with effective remedies.
Quick Difference Between Social Anxiety Disorder And Shyness
The symptoms of anxiety and shyness may look similar, but you can differentiate them by accounting for a person’s age or how they present themselves.
The person with a shyness problem can be comfortable with their close friends and family, but social phobia disorder is a mental health situation that can worsen over time. So, let’s understand how you can identify them with the quick comparison given below.
Potential Causes Of Social Anxiety Disorder
Shyness can turn into anxiety when a person routinely avoids social interaction or develops a thought pattern of inferiority. Besides, social anxiety disorder can be caused by several probable risks, such as having a family with social issues or a history of trauma. Here are some of the factors that can increase the risk of social fear, and professional help to overcome them.
- Having a genetic relation to social anxiety.
- Negative or abusive parenting experience.
- Experienced poor attention from family, friends, and other people.
- Lack of appreciation for completing the task during childhood.
- Having trauma from the worst experiences in the past.
- Caused by other anxiety disorders or poor mental health.
Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder
If you feel insecure or frustrated in social situations, resulting in physical changes, then you must seek anxiety treatment for overall wellness.
The professional therapist examines your behavioral responses towards public gatherings and conducts the following steps to make you feel more comfortable around others.
1] Screening
- The experts observe your behavioral responses and highlight the interactions in social situations.
- They also examine your past life, signs of social anxiety disorder in your family, any other anxiety disorders, and your lifestyle to provide personalized therapy for anxiety.
2] Therapy
- The professional therapist conducts CBT therapy to address the negative thought patterns associated with anxiety and reduce stress.
- They introduce exposure therapy to reduce fear in socializing with others and minimize anxiety over time.
3] Medication
- The experts may also prescribe you medications such as antidepressants or anxiolytics to help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- The psychiatrist may observe a response to medicines on your mental health and conduct changes if required.
4] Self-Help Strategy
- The expert psychotherapist will also recommend self-care remedies like lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety levels.
- They help you build confidence over time by setting small and achievable goals for social interactions.
5] Support Group
- Consulting a professional physiotherapist can provide access to support groups where you can interact with people with similar challenges that increase your confidence level.
- You can learn from their personal experience, gain emotional support, and get practical tips to cope with social anxiety disorder.
Tips To Cope With Social Anxiety
Attending a therapy session and taking proper medicine is half the path you have covered in dealing with anxiety. Your dedication is important to overcome the anxiety of your mental health, and therefore, we have provided the tips you can practice to help reduce symptoms of social phobia.
Finding The Right Therapist
Living with social anxiety may be frustrating and discouraging, which can decrease your confidence level.
Whatever your circumstances are, choosing a professional mental health service provider like Holding Hands can provide access to expert therapists who understand your personal experience.
Get a personalized anxiety treatment that includes proper screening, supports your lifestyle, increases socialization capabilities, and boosts confidence.
FAQs
1. What is the main difference between social anxiety and shyness?
Shyness is a personality trait that causes mild discomfort in social situations, while social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving intense fear, avoidance, and physical symptoms like sweating or shaking.
2. Can shyness turn into social anxiety disorder?
Yes, in some cases. If a person consistently avoids social situations, develops negative thought patterns, and experiences intense fear that interferes with daily life, shyness may develop into social anxiety disorder.
3. What are the common symptoms of social anxiety disorder?
Common symptoms include extreme fear of being judged, avoiding social events, sweating, trembling, nausea, rapid heartbeat, difficulty speaking, and intense self-consciousness.
4. Does shyness require professional treatment?
Usually, shyness does not require medical or psychological treatment. It can often improve with gradual social exposure, confidence-building, and practice in social settings.
5. What causes social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder can be caused by genetic factors, childhood trauma, negative parenting experiences, bullying, lack of emotional support, or other underlying mental health conditions.
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