Today we will cover part six.  Recognizing that you face a problem is just the first step in treating an anxiety disorder. However, as you speak to your therapist you will realize that he or she is trying to identify the specific disorder that may be afflicting you so that your condition may be treated effectively. So now you may wonder if there is more than one kind of anxiety disorder and if so, what are the different kinds or types?

Health experts have identified six major types of anxiety disorders:

1.      Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2.      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

3.      Panic Disorder

4.      Phobia

5.      Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

6.      Social Anxiety Disorder.

Today we will talk about number six:

6.      Social Anxiety Disorder

Becoming nervous or self-conscious on special occasions is a very natural thing. You may feel anxious before giving a major sales presentation or before a job interview. However, these are cases of occasional nerves and however anxious you may feel, you feel better once the event is over. For some people, the terror of such social situations is so intense that they try very hard to avoid being in situations where they may have to meet or talk to people. And if they are unable to avoid the situation, they find themselves under tremendous stress til they are able to get out of it. This kind of social phobia is given a special name called social anxiety disorder.

Those who suffer from social anxiety disorder are constantly in the fear that people are putting them to great scrutiny or evaluating them. They are afraid that they will not measure up to the expectations of others and may be judged poorly. They are also afraid that something embarrassing will happen to them in public. Of course, you may be fully aware that these fears are overblown and that there never was a basis for them. In fact, you may be the first to realize that fears of being evaluated or judged by the public are completely irrational. And yet, you find yourself anxious at the thought of being in any social situation.

It is true that many people experience some kind of anxiety when they have to be in a social situation or perform in public – these are generalized social anxiety disorders. People with social anxiety disorder have heightened anxiety in specific social situations like public speaking, going to parties, speaking to strangers and so on.

Some of the situations, which a person suffering from a social anxiety disorder may find very stressful, are as follows –

·        Speaking or performing in public.

·        Making small talk particularly with strangers.

·        Talking with people of authority.

·        Attending social gatherings or parties.

Social anxiety can be crippling and isolating.  Patients who have experienced such anxiety have often found relief with a great non-pill anti-anxiety program.  For a recomendation click here.