Feeling SAD? Explaining Social Anxiety Disorder and Discovering Treatment Options

Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders

We have all been anxious at some point in our lives. Anxiety is a feeling marked by fear, worry, and uneasiness. In some cases, the anxiety can be extreme, often incapacitating. But just because everyone feels anxious at various junctures, doesn’t mean everyone is suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders tend to leave you with a feeling of worry or fear for much longer periods, worsening with time. It interferes with your ability to build bonds, meet loved ones, work, and even carry out simple day-to-day tasks like cooking up a healthy meal for yourself, for example. Anxiety disorders are chronic while anxiety in itself might come and go. 

There is a range of anxiety disorders people suffer from, the most common being generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Other disorders include phobias, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder (SAD). In this article, we look deeper into social anxiety disorder, a disorder characterised by an intense fear of social situations. 

While general anxiety disorder might have a social component to it, it differs from social anxiety disorder. Someone ailed by general anxiety disorder is likely to feel excessively anxious or worried across various situations, whereas someone who is suffering from social anxiety disorder is likely to experience fear, anxiety or avoidance persistently, typically lasting six months or more. People with social anxiety disorder fear being judged or embarrassed socially. 

Social Anxiety Disorder vs. Shyness

Social anxiety disorder is often swept under the rug on account of shyness. One might think one is extremely shy when in reality one is suffering from a chronic anxiety disorder. Shyness involves a minor amount of discomfort or nervousness in social settings when compared to social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder, on the other hand, comes with a profound, persistent fear that impairs someone’s daily functioning. Someone feeling shy might, in rare cases, experience physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or an increased heart rate; while someone with social anxiety disorder is likely to experience all these things much more frequently at a higher level of distress. 

Signs of Social Anxiety Disorder

It’s not always easy to identify this SAD. People often believe that it is just a personality trait rather than a chronic condition or those suffering from SAD may even go so far as to hide their own symptoms to avoid being judged. However, there are several things to look out for to help you better identify social anxiety disorder. Symptoms include persistent fear or anxiety in social settings, avoidance of interactions or performance opportunities, and significant distress or impairment related to social settings. Often, people might recognise the excessive and unreasonable anxiety they are experiencing, further contributing to their uneasiness. 

Someone with social anxiety disorder is likely to struggle with simple social interactions like having a conversation or meeting strangers. They are likely to feel uncomfortable while being observed doing everyday essentials, like eating or drinking for example. Performance opportunities, like making a presentation or giving a speech, tend to make them extremely nervous. Chances are that people with social anxiety disorder always feel fearful or anxious when placed in social settings. In addition, the fear or anxiety is always disproportionate to any perceived “threat” posed by the situation. As a result, social anxiety disorder patients usually avoid social situations or endure them with a sense of intense fear. Symptoms in children are usually expressed by crying, freezing, tantrums, clinging, shrinking, or an inability to speak socially. It is important to keep in mind that these signs must be shown in peer settings and not just around adults for children to be diagnosed as suffering from SAD. 

Treating Social Anxiety Disorder 

Treatment for SAD varies. Some choose therapy while others choose medication. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) helps challenge and change negative thought patterns people might have towards social situations. It is widely used in treatment of social anxiety disorder. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are also prescribed to alleviate symptoms. One might even choose natural, plant-based medication to tackle the disorder, like cannabinoid medicine. 

CBD for Social Anxiety Disorder

Recent studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in the cannabis plant, can help in managing social anxiety disorder. CBD is anxiolytic, meaning it can significantly reduce anxiety levels. Neuroimaging has allowed us to observe the effects of CBD on the brain, proving its benefits for anxiety and influence on regions of the brain responsible for fear and stress, like the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. Another study gave treatment-naïve patients either CBD or a placebo before a public speaking test. The group given CBD noted significant reductions in anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort as compared to the group that consumed the placebo. Even physiological indicators suggested that the group consuming CBD managed to notably decrease the intensity of anxiety. 

Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating medical condition that can impair and hinder your life in more ways than one. Recognising it and managing it appropriately is key to a better quality of life for anyone who thinks they might be suffering from this condition. Do not turn a blind eye to the possibility of having social anxiety disorder because you might be confusing it with shyness. There are clear signs that indicate that someone might be suffering from the condition. Keep an eye out for them, whether observing yourself or your loved ones. The good news is that there are many ways to manage SAD effectively, and the latest studies have shown the efficacy of CBD, which as a natural plant-derived compound has advantages compared to pre-existing interventions. Consider reaching out for a consultation or trying Shunyata Balance after further discussion with your doctor, if you or someone you know might be suffering from social anxiety disorder.