The pains of social anxiety disorder

WE live in a world where the levels of anxiety and panic are closely becoming the norm for some.

Behaviours and/ or body feelings that appear to be unusual should never be accepted as normal, as such acceptance can lead to bigger health issues.

Because of the fast-paced life with which most of us are confronted on a daily basis, the symptoms associated with social anxiety can be easily ignored or misdiagnosed.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a chronic mental health condition that causes a person to feel intense anxiety or fear of activities or situations which they think may influence others to either watch or judge them.

Persons affected by SAD attempt as much possible to avoid all social interactions and events, which also include socialising with others. Feelings of disconnection and isolation pervade through the minds of those so affected. SAD also has the potential to cause women to fear embarrassment and humiliation even if those things are remote.

Research studies have also shown that victims of SAD suffer knowingly or unknowingly from severe withdrawal symptoms capable of negatively impacting relationships and their lives across the broadest spectrum.

But what causes SAD? Based on data emanating from the Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center in the United States, SAD seems to run in families; the data also shows that natural body chemicals may also play a pivotal role in SAD. Physical signs and symptoms include profuse sweating, trembling/shaking, nausea, stomach upset, speech impediments, muscle tension, confusion, palpitations, diarrhoea, cold and clammy hands and difficulty making eye contact.

Personality traits associated with SAD are low self-esteem, negative self-talk, hypersensitive towards criticism and poor social skills.

According to Dr Thomas A Richards, psychologist/director at the Social Anxiety Institute in the United States “social anxiety disorder (formerly termed “social phobia”) is a much more common problem than past estimates have led us to believe.

Millions of people all over the world suffer from the devastating and traumatic condition every day, either from a specific social anxiety or from a more generalised social anxiety.” At the IWRN, we have had a few instances where women affected by SAD feel ashamed and even suicidal. But all is not lost as there is a specialised therapeutic programme that was designed to treat with SAD victims.

Women who may be experiencing the signs and symptoms shared in today’s feature are asked to contact us at the International Women’s Resource Network at 283-0318.

Sandrine Rattan is a Communications/ Branding Consultant/ Author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN).

Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318.