Social Anxiety Disorder is also known as social phobia. This affects over 15 million people in the United States and is present when there is a crippling, intense and persistent fear of being embarrassed in social gatherings, when meeting new people, and often also prevents the person from seeking help. A 2019 study published in JMIR Formative Research suggests that online therapy may be able to provide lasting results for those experiencing social anxiety.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks are a form of disorder that comes on suddenly as an intense episode of panic and fear from an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. These attacks come without warning and last from a few minutes to 30 minutes. When these episodes are frequent, we refer to them as panic disorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which is a disorder that makes the person experience a panic attack related to a traumatic experience from their past, such as an accident, sexual abuse, and other traumas.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders are many. They include emotional, mental, and physical signs such as, excessive worrying, sleep disorders, irritability, hyperventilation, heavy sweating, difficulty concentrating, avoiding social situations, rapid heart rate, upset digestive system, an irrational fear or phobia, chest pains, fatigue and weight changes,
The cause of anxiety disorders includes accumulated stress, genetic predisposition, personality, physical, sexual or mental abuse, violence, psychological reasons, chronic medical conditions, traumatic experiences such as death of a loved one, a natural disaster, war, medication, illicit substance abuse, hormonal disorders, and depression among others.
Psychotherapy is effective through talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other modalities such as narrative therapy, or systemic and somatic approaches. Fundamentally, counselling will help the person understand how they can manage symptoms of their anxiety, while learning to take control over the thoughts and triggers that bring on the anxiety, learning and practicing stress management techniques including mindfulness meditation, and implementing changes in their lifestyles. Early treatment of anxiety disorders also helps prevent high blood pressure, heart attacks, digestive and urinary disorders, respiratory illness, and other physical health problems.