Social Anxiety Disorder
-
- Tweet
Bowman Medical Group
Psychiatrists & Mental Health Providers located in Beverly Hills, CA
Do you feel intense fear at the idea of other people judging you or feel extremely self-conscious in everyday social situations? If so, you might suffer from social anxiety disorder. This chronic mental health condition can interfere with your personal life, your work or school performance, and even your physical health. The compassionate team at Bowman Medical Group diagnoses and treats social anxiety disorder in patients of all ages. To schedule an evaluation for social anxiety disorder with a mental health professional, call the Beverly Hills, California, office today.
Social Anxiety Disorder Q & A
What is social anxiety disorder?
When you have social anxiety disorder, you can experience nervousness or fear during everyday social situations. Most people experience nervousness in some social settings, such as public speaking. But social anxiety causes severe feelings of self-consciousness that interfere with your ability to enjoy or even participate in many social interactions.
Social anxiety disorder may frequently interfere with functioning in daily life, work, school, and other activities. It can harm your personal relationships, degrade your overall quality of life, and lead to physical health concerns.
What are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder can cause a variety of emotional, behavioral, and physical signs and symptoms. These may include an intense fear of judgment, recurrent feelings of embarrassment or humiliation, difficulty interacting with strangers, avoiding social situations, or overanalyzing your own flaws or shortcomings during or after social interaction.
Physical symptoms associated with social anxiety include:
- Trembling
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Dizziness or faintness
- Blushing
- Shortness of breath
You may also experience times when your social anxiety isn’t as severe, only to have it return for extended periods.
What causes social anxiety disorder?
There isn’t a specific known cause of social anxiety disorder. However, multiple factors can increase your risk of developing the condition, such as:
- Genetics
- Negative social experiences
- Trauma or abuse
- Brain chemistry and structure
Additional mental health conditions, such as depression and substance abuse, often co-occur with social anxiety disorder.
How is social anxiety disorder treated?
To address social anxiety disorder, the compassionate providers at Bowman Medical Group design a treatment plan based on your individual needs. Your treatment plan may include:
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group, family, or couples therapy
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antidepressants
Your provider may also recommend a wellness program to help you develop healthy lifestyle habits that improve your mood, relieve stress, and enhance overall wellness.
If you struggle with intense anxiety in social situations, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with a trusted clinician at Bowman Medical Group. To schedule an evaluation for social anxiety disorder for yourself or a family member, call the office today.