What Is Social Anxiety?
Millions of people around the world suffer from social anxiety syndrome, making it the third most spread mental health disorder. Even though this problem does not lead to any physical damages, it is still serious as far as preventing individuals from communicating with an outer world. This phobia of interaction with other people is not justified; the patients cannot get why they feel so negative about their surrounding environment. Those who suffer from this syndrome believe that others won’t understand or accept them. As a result, patients experience inferiority, humiliation, and depression. If you feel better off alone in any life situations, it might be an alarming sign.
According to the Social Anxiety Institute, approximately 7% of the U.S. population suffers from a specific form of social anxiety. The lifetime prevalence rate for developing social anxiety is 13-14%. These numbers might not seem that shocking now, but without proper action, the situation might get worse. Thus, it is extremely important to check whether you or your friends/relatives/beloved ones are captured into this trap. Here are the most typical symptoms of social anxiety. Additionally, you can learn more from this Social Anxiety Fact Sheet.
How in the World Should I Treat Social Anxiety?
#1 LISTEN TO OTHERS. Social anxiety is usually caused by self-consciousness. It is crucial to stop thinking others are staring at you or discussing only you. Keep your attention to what other people ARE REALLY TELLING each other. Join the conversation instead of avoiding it.
#2 MANAGE YOUR BREATH. Slow down and breathe. Why are you always in a hurry? Sit comfortably for a while and think of something relaxing like the sea. There are many useful techniques. You can find the most popular ones by checking out this guide, Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief.
#3 CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. Bad habits are especially dangerous for those who face social anxiety. Restrict the amount of caffeine, avoid alcoholic beverages, and quit smoking. Also, get adequate sleep -– no less than 8 hours per day!
#4 TOSS AWAY ALL NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. C’mon, stop shaking in your boots every time you see a guy on the same behind you. It’s perfectly natural to always be cautious when out by yourself, but don’t let little things deter you. Stop getting alarmed when people are screaming at each other in public transport. Avoid places and people that stress you out.
#5 USE APPLICATIONS THAT WORK. We live in an age of technological progress, so why won’t you use it to improve your mental health? As the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports, anxiety involves post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other forms of disorders. Every kind needs special treatment, but there is one easy tool that may work even better for social anxiety –- an app for overcoming this syndrome. Take a look at an example of an app that may help:
Youper
Price: Free on Android and iPhone
Deals with: Youper helps you have more informed conversations with your doctor and take control of your emotional health by allowing you to detect and monitor symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, PTSD, and BPD (borderline personality)
What you’ll get: It helps you feel more confident in different social situations from giving a public speech to communicating with other people. Discover your anxiety levels and overcome this problem. The app is personalized, so each user will find it helpful. Besides, it is based on scientific studies. The app is also useful for achieving patient goals. Loyal customers highlight the following benefits of Youper:
- The app contains breathtaking stories and game-like interface.
- Apply digital tools to control your anxiety.
- Set your own goals, and explore the journey to achieve them.
- Science-based. The Youper’s co-founder is a psychiatrist.
- More than an app. The app serves as a digital platform to raise your confidence.
