SAD refers to a persistent concern about exposing personal weaknesses, thereby being judged negatively by others. Persons diagnosed with SAD frequently suffer panic attacks when they interact with people daily; thus, choosing to stay away from others and establishing mutual understanding with other people is difficult for them. In social situations, these individuals may exhibit shyness, trembling with nervousness, excessive sweating, and rapid or skipped heartbeats. SAD develops during childhood years and continues into adulthood, inhibiting an individual’s daily life. It is imperative to comprehend the depths of social anxiety disorder since it affects millions of people globally. Raised consciousness leads to sympathy and the adoption of a positive attitude toward assisting SAD patients who seek to break through their social phobia to have happy living and functioning.
Mike expresses various signs and symptoms of SAD. SAD leads to different physical manifestations. As a SAD victim, Mike usually feels intense anxiety and fear when interacting with others. Mike isolates himself from friends and schoolmates, a factor that elicits his fear. Mike exhibits excessive self-focus, apprehension, and worry about what people think of them. They might be scared that people are looking at them, and judging how they look, behave, or socialize. One main aspect of SAD is a propensity towards shunning social settings and having great difficulty interacting therein. The avoidance behavior may prove detrimental to normal day-to-day functions, culminating in social exclusion. Those suffering from SAD can think negatively of themselves and worry that they might get embarrassed or ridiculed. Such a negative perception of oneself may result in low self-esteem. Individuals suffering from the fear of interactions may have problems while engaging in direct eye contact, being distressed, or being naked before others. Public speaking and participation in group activities are some of the social situations that evoke much anxiety in SAD patients. Therefore, they might feel embarrassed about being judged about their work (Schouten et al., 2019). Physical feelings associated with anxiety occur during social scenarios like stomachaches, headaches, and simply general “feeling not right.” However, it should be noted that although anybody can feel nervous or ashamed in some social situations, SAD explains extreme fear of some specific events, which interfere considerably with one’s everyday life activities. Individuals experiencing SAD symptoms and their caregivers should contact a therapist for help. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments such as therapy and sometimes medication that can be used for managing social anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)is one of the most common types of psychotherapy against mental illnesses, including SAD. The study by Heimberg and Becker (2002) outlines that the basis of CBT is that emotions affect how we think and subsequently act out; therefore, it is possible to present undesirable emotions by shifting maladaptive attitudes and behaviors. In CBT for social anxiety, the cognitive distortions (negative thoughts) that lead to anxious thinking are analyzed and identified initially. Such thoughts usually entail harsh criticism and fears, as they are associated with poor prognoses of social relationships. After identifying negative thoughts, the therapist assists in challenging them and reforming them. This includes examining the evidence for or against these beliefs and replacing irrationally biased thought processes with more rational, balanced perspectives. As such, exposure therapy is critical in CBT for social anxiety.
According to the study by Hope et al. (2010), fears are addressed by exposing individuals to fearful situations; the exposure makes victims face their fears as they learn how improbable these imagined consequences might be. Therapists would construct behavioral tests to determine the veracity of the negative thoughts and beliefs. This entails participating in a practical test where they should fight the fears confronting them, and collect data disproving the anxiety. In many instances, mindfulness techniques and relaxation exercises are incorporated into CBT to enable people to deal with anxiety-related symptoms at ease (Hope et al., 2010). These include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation, which may help decrease stress load. As such, people in recovery learn coping skills in order not to relapse as therapy goes on. Identifying panic symptoms, employing acquired coping methods, and being prepared in advance to meet challenges is crucial.
Art therapy gives people different ways of revealing feelings without words. Art can have immense importance in an individual, especially for one with SAD and difficulties of expression. Artistic activities allow such people to channel their minds toward something constructive rather than negative. It can fight against the lethargy and depressed feelings common in SAD. Most of the time mindfulness is used in art therapy and allows one to be more aware of what they experience here and now. Art therapy relieves the symptoms of depression and anxiety, which often characterize SAD (Schouten et al., 2019). In biofeedback therapy, electronic monitoring supplies patients with information regarding their physiological processes. People can learn to control these processes to reduce stress. Managing SAD symptoms involves reducing stress. However, biofeedback makes one aware of such physical responses and thus encourages self-awareness. Increased awareness allows one to be proactive over his mental health, and hence, they can manage their mental health.
References
Heimberg, R. G., & Becker, R. E. (2002). Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for social phobia: Basic mechanisms and clinical strategies. Guilford Press.
Hope, D. A., Heimberg, R. G., & Turk, C. L. (2010). Managing social anxiety: A Cognitive-behavioral Therapy Approach : Therapist Guide. Treatments That Work.
Schouten, K. A., van Hooren, S., Knipscheer, J. W., Kleber, R. J., & Hutschemaekers, G. J. (2019). Trauma-focused art therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study. Journal of trauma & dissociation, 20(1), 114-130. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2018.1502712
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