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  • Essay / Treatments and Conditions for Social Anxiety

    Social anxiety is also known as social phobia. Social anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder, affecting more than 10 million Americans. This disorder can develop from early childhood, mid-adolescence, or even adulthood. Social anxiety can usually be inherited from family history. Social anxiety has many treatments and conditions, has many effects on people, and can be a different lifestyle for people with this disorder. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Treatments and conditions for social anxiety can vary depending on doctors' recommendations. These different treatments take time for the disorder to be brought under control. Mayo Clinic staff strongly recommends: “To get the most out of treatment, keep your medical or therapy appointments, take your medications as directed, and tell your doctor about any changes in your condition” (Mayo Clinic staff ). An individual should not give up so easily if the medications do not work quickly, it may take at least several months for the medication to start working. Doctors recommend two main treatments for patients with social anxiety, including therapy or medication. “Treatments include supportive therapy and medications (most commonly the SSRI class of antidepressants)” (Donnica Moore, MD). Antidepressants are used for many disorders, including social anxiety. However, antidepressants can have many side effects when taken. Although there are many treatments for social anxiety, psychologist Ruth Perednik has dedicated years of research to find a more effective treatment. “Ruth Perednik has over 20 years developed effective treatment for SM (selective mutism, aka social anxiety), both through direct intervention from parents, teachers and therapists, and using her treatment intervention online” (Siegel-Itzkovich). Ruth Perednik found that basic treatments were getting old and not working very effectively. So she created a different treatment that mixes with the old treatments. Ruth Perednik developed her treatment through Jerusalem psychology. “Ruth Perednik developed SM treatment based on cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques as part of her work in the psychological services of the Jerusalem Municipality” (Siegel-Itzkovich). Ruth Perednik published her book which included her new treatment. This book is a guide for any adult, teenager or parent to help their child suffering from social anxiety problems. Another treatment used by some doctors are support groups, these treatments bring people with social anxiety together and discuss their problems. “Many people with social anxiety also find support groups helpful… You can also learn how other people with social anxiety disorder approach and overcome fear of social situations” (National Institute of Mental Health) . These people can help each other and let others try different methods to combat the disorder. Once social anxiety symptoms begin to fade, some people need to continue taking their medications because symptoms may return. “For some people, the symptoms of social anxiety disorder may fade over time and medications can be stopped. Others canneeding to take medication for years to avoid relapse” (Mayo Clinic staff). It is best to take the medications from time to time, in case the symptoms return after they have disappeared. “Doctors will work to find the best medicine, the best dose and the best duration of treatment. Many people with social anxiety disorder have the best results with a combination of medication and CBT or other psychotherapies” (National Institute of Mental Health). Doctors do their best to help patients overcome their social anxiety. With all of these different types of treatments, individuals should never give up on them if they don't work. Although there are many treatments for social anxiety, social anxiety also has many effects on people. Social anxiety tends to affect teens in high school, or when teens and adults find jobs or make friends. “People with social anxiety disorder may drop out of school, lose their jobs, and avoid looking for work due to difficulty interviewing for a job. They tend to have difficulty creating and maintaining friendships and romantic relationships” (Donnica Moore, MD). Social anxiety could cause these people to become depressed, as they might feel alone and upset. Daily activities could be affected by social anxiety. “Doing everyday things in front of people, like eating or drinking in front of other people or using a public restroom, also causes anxiety or fear. The person fears being humiliated, judged, and rejected” (National Institute of Mental Health). People will never go out; individuals will stay home so as not to have anxiety attacks in public. Anxiety can affect people in other ways, not just socially. “Some people with social anxiety disorder do not feel anxiety in social situations, but instead have performance anxiety” (National Institute of Mental Health). This type of anxiety is similar to social anxiety but is more based around group activities, sports activities, or community activities. Social anxiety can also lead to other disorders such as eating disorders. “This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection, and trigger a more serious eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia” (Knolls). Developing more disorders will lead to depression, stress or suicidal thoughts. When someone with social anxiety is given a task, they will more than likely not start or complete it. “An anxious person may worry about performing flawlessly, causing them to become stressed or refrain from completing a given task” (Siegel-Itzkovich). Many important tasks will be incomplete, eventually leading to many problems for the individual. The effects of social anxiety cause many symptoms. “Associated physical symptoms may include palpitations, fainting, flushing, and profuse sweating” (Donnica Moore, MD). People with social anxiety will stay alone so that these symptoms do not appear. Social anxiety can and will ruin a person's life if it takes over all the time. “If left untreated, social anxiety disorder can rule your life” (Mayo Clinic staff). With all the effects that social anxiety has, it can consume and destroy an individual's life. In addition to the effects of social anxiety disorder, the lifestyle is different from others. There are)..