All ages can suffer from social anxiety and it can start at any time. Let's take a look at some of the symptoms common to social anxiety.

Social Anxiety Symptoms

1. Feelings that everyone is watching you - Individuals who suffer from social anxiety often believe that all eyes are on them when they're shopping or standing in line at the bank, for instance. Everywhere they go they feel like they're being watched and this makes them uncomfortable to say the least. They might experience a faster heart rate or start sweating as a result.

2. Tense muscles - When you're placed in a stressful or uncomfortable situation, it's common to experience muscle tension. Someone with social anxiety may find themselves stiffening up and even experience a cracking voice when they speak. Dry mouth and trouble swallowing are also common symptoms.

3. Nausea - Some people get a nauseous feeling when they experience social anxiety. Often described as butterflies in the stomach, many people report feeling dizzy and having sweaty or clammy palms. Increased heart rate and flushed cheeks are also common complaints.

Anyone who suffers from social anxiety may have one or more of these symptoms in various combinations. If you have any of the social anxiety symptoms mentioned and feel a general disruption to your life as a result, consult your doctor about the many social anxiety treatment options available to you. Continuing to suffer is completely unnecessary because there is so much help available.

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Treating The Symptoms Of Social Anxiety

One of the best ways to treat social anxiety is to understand what's causing it and treat those specific issues. For instance, if stress is the main culprit, take steps to reduce stress and practice relaxation techniques. These stress reduction strategies should be practiced on a daily basis, whether or not the anxiety is present. Not only will such a ritual help to prevent social anxiety, it will make it less severe when it happens.

Sometimes social anxiety medication is used to bring relief to specific situations. See your doctor if you feel a prescribed medicine would benefit you. There are also a number of herbal remedies available that can help relieve anxiety and encourage relaxation. However, medications should only be taken as needed rather than on a continuous basis unless directed to do so by a physician.

Therapy is also an option for overcoming social anxiety. Both individualized therapy sessions as well as group-based meetings are options for treatment. Severe cases may require one-on-one treatment with a therapist while mild cases may benefit sufficiently from a group.

If you suffer from anxiety, make sure you're not doing anything that might make your condition worse. Stimulants such as caffeine can make some people nervous as can certain medications containing stimulants or amphetamines. See your doctor to determine if any prescriptions you're taking might cause unintended side effects such as anxiety.

Most importantly, if the first social anxiety cure you try doesn't work well for you, keep looking for alternative solutions. There is help available, it's just a matter of finding the right fit for you.

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Social Anxiety and "Overwhelment" 

As someone who has personally suffered with severe Social Anxiety, I went through several phases of learning how to deal with it and eventually overcome it: denial, hiding it, being ashamed of it, and finally, learning to accept it and working through it. One thing that really helped me was reading about someone famous, someone I admired who admitted they had Social Anxiety and even laughed about it! At the time, I felt deeply ashamed of my anxiety around people, and it really amazed me that this person could be so light-hearted about it. He spoke about it very openly, as if he were admitting that he had diabetes, or some other very common condition.

I thought about this for a long time and it began to make me feel much better about my situation. So, cautiously at first, I began to tell my closest friends and relatives about my anxiety situation. Not in a apologetic way or asking asking anyone to feel sorry for me (because that's not helpful at all), but in a very matter-of fact way: "Oh, by the way, did you know I have social anxiety?"

For the most part, my loved ones and close friends were extremely understanding about the whole issue and didn't make a big deal of it at all. The relief I felt was unbelievable, like a large stone had just been lifted from my shoulders. I was REALLY beginning to make progress.

I've learned much about Social Anxiety since then, and probably the most important thing is this: Social Anxiety is ENTIRELY about feeling "overwhelmed." The feeling of being overwhelmed is what pushes people into limiting their life to a greater and greater extent, until they find themselves living in a very small world indeed. But it doesn't have to stay that way. Understanding that your SA is REALLY all about feeling overwhelmed can help you to gradually begin making changes to eliminate it.

A simple plan of action...

1. Accept the situation and DO NOT feel bad about it at all.

2. Begin putting your self in social situations for VERY SHORT periods of time. This is extremely important, because when you do this, YOU are limiting YOURSELF, instead of having your anxiety limit you. In other words, you are taking back control over the situation, and are not reacting, like a victim would.

3. Talk to those who are very close to you and might be affected by this, and let them know what you are doing and exactly why you are doing it. Remember to be UNAPOLOGETIC about explaining it to them. There is nothing to apologize for! Be very matter-of-fact about it.

4. As stated, keep your social interactions very brief. If 5 minutes is all you are comfortable with, then do 5 minutes and feel perfectly fine about that. Even if 1 minute is all you can do, that's just fine. Remember, YOU are in control, and YOU are placing the limits--not anything outside of you.

5. Gradually, begin to increase the time you spend in social interactions. BUT...do this very gradually. Don't push it! Even if you increase by a few minutes every month, that is better than letting yourself get overwhelmed in a situation.

6. Remember this phrase, "Nothing succeeds like success." This means that success builds momentum and leads to greater success. This is particularly true with SA. It is very important that you continue to have good social interaction that does not overwhelm you. It does NOT matter how long the interaction is; all the matters is that you get through it without any strong negative feelings. DO NOT push yourself too hard. You don't have to!

Jon Mercer's EasyCalm system contains tons of information about treatment for social anxiety and specific strategies to use to achieve the results you want (plus some stories about his ridiculous "supermarket anxiety" and how he overcame that issue. As he put it, "It seems laughable now, but I do remember how painfully serious it was at the time!" To find out more about Jon's system and receive more anxiety help, check out his EasyCalm Video Coaching Series and watch the FREE 27 minute training video.

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Social Anxiety Medications

Medications for social anxiety are available both by doctor's prescription as well as over-the-counter. Typically a medication intended to treat social anxiety is used on an as-needed basis rather than taken continuously every day. For instance, someone who suffers from social anxiety may only need medication if they are scheduled to give a presentation at work. Speaking in front of others is stressful for most people, but it's downright frightening for people with social anxiety problems. However, when outside of a social setting normal functioning is possible.

Talk to your doctor to find out if you need a prescription. If you prefer taking natural formulas, see if an herbal remedy is suitable for your needs. These can be found online as well as at local herb shops and vitamin stores. Everyone's different so be sure to keep looking until you find the right solution for you.

Therapy For Social Anxiety

For those with severe social anxiety, therapy can be an excellent option. A qualified therapist can work with you one-on-one to provide long-term results. Intensive therapy sessions can get to the root cause of your anxiety and help to overcome social anxiety at its source. Some insurance companies cover social anxiety help such as therapist visits so be sure to check your coverage levels. While they tend to be the most effective, individual sessions can be expensive and need to be held on a regular basis for the best results.

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If you suspect you suffer from social anxiety, a call to your doctor is in order. He or she can evaluate your condition and determine the degree of your anxiety as well as the best treatment option for you to try.

Here are the most common social anxiety treatments:

Social Anxiety Groups - Joining a support group for social anxiety can be helpful. Although it may seem difficult at first because of the group setting, it's often helpful to be around other people who understand exactly what you're going through. Because every member of the group is suffering from the same condition, there's a lot of non-judgmental support available. These groups can be instrumental in helping you overcome social anxiety.

Social Anxiety Therapy - Therapy is an alternative for those patients who find groups too intimidating. Normally conducted in a private session with a therapist, you'll receive a lot of individualized attention and help with your condition. Sometimes an individual will begin with one on one therapy and then move into a group situation after some initial progress has been made.

Social Anxiety Medication - Medication is another option for dealing with social anxiety. Your doctor can prescribe medication based on your initial evaluation and may even combine it with other treatments such as therapy or group support. Drugs designed to treat social anxiety are becoming more popular and help many people live normal, happier lives.

With so many social anxiety treatments to choose from, it's important to pick the one that fits your situation the best. Because everyone is different, ask plenty of questions and work alongside your doctor to find the one you're most comfortable with.

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Treatment methods for social anxiety include group therapy sessions, counseling with a therapist or medication. Sometimes a combination of treatments is used. Fortunately, there is help for overcoming social anxiety and becoming able to lead a normal life.

Natural Ways To Minimize Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Get Enough Sleep - It's important for everyone to get plenty of rest, but it's essential for anyone who suffers from social anxiety. When you're well-rested you feel more at ease and you're able to think with greater clarity. This results in a better ability to handle social situations. When you're fatigued, symptoms of social anxiety disorder often seem worse and make it harder to deal with social situations.

Don't Smoke - Individuals with social anxiety disorder should avoid stimulants because they can aggravate feelings of anxiety. Cigarettes contain the powerful and addictive stimulant known as nicotine. Not only is it bad for social anxiety symptoms, it's dangerous for your general health. If you're a current smoker, see your doctor to get help quitting. If you don't smoke, don't start under any circumstances.

Cut Down On Caffeine Intake - Caffeine contained in coffee and sodas is also a stimulant. By minimizing or eliminating caffeine from your diet, symptoms from social anxiety should improve somewhat. If you drink several cups of coffee each day, you may want to ease off gradually. Stopping all at once can cause painful withdrawal symptoms such as headaches.

Don't Turn To Alcohol - A lot of people initially think drinking is a good way to relax themselves before attending a social function. However, it can have the exact opposite effect and actually increase your feelings of social anxiety. Many who have used alcohol in excess to relax have later regretted it and felt even more anxious than before.

Most people experience the most success at overcoming social anxiety disorders when they use a combination of professional help along with natural techniques to minimize symptoms. By working with your doctor and modifying any damaging habits, you can feel more comfortable in social situations and lead a perfectly normal life.

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Medicine for social anxiety is available both over the counter and by doctor's prescription. Typical treatment formulas are classified as anti depressants or anti anxiety drugs. By addressing both depression and stress, which are common causes of social anxiety, symptoms often become less severe. This, in turn, allows the sufferer to approach social situations in a more relaxed state of mind.

Stress is reduced through social anxiety medication by changing the levels of serotonin in the patient's brain. Serotonin is a chemical that regulates mood. If the levels of this brain chemical become imbalanced, you may feel excessive stress and not think with normal levels of clarity. Other mental conditions may also result from such an imbalance.

Risks And Side Effects Of Social Anxiety Medication

There are risks associated with any medication, and social anxiety medications are no exception. Risk of dependence is a major concern as many people find they begin to need their medicine prior to participating in any social situation. Sometimes they end up taking higher doses in order to achieve the effect they need to remain functional in a social setting. If you find yourself in this situation, talk to your doctor right away.
In addition to the risk of dependence, there are certain side effects associated with medications for social anxiety. You may feel tired or groggy when taking the drug because it does reduce reflexes in order to promote relaxation. Headaches, congestion and loss of balance are also reported by some individuals taking this type of medicine. Often side effects are temporary and disappear with continued use.

If you think you might suffer from social anxiety, the best move it to visit your doctor and discuss both your symptoms and treatment options. Social anxiety medications will only be effective for you when you have been diagnosed correctly. If your social anxiety is do to something other than stress or fear, for example, you may need a completely different treatment method. Only through a conversation with your doctor can you be sure.

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Social Phobia Hypnosis Audio CD Anxiety Panic Fear Natural NLP Hypnotherapy    US $19.34

OVERCOMING SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER CD SUBLIMINAL NLP CD    US $15.97

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