A Psychological Problem That Decreases Quality of Life: Social Anxiety Disorder

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder can be defined as a feeling of intense anxiety or discomfort when interacting with other people. This anxiety often comes with a person seeing themselves with judgmental or critical eyes and being overly concerned about what others think of them. Social anxiety disorder can negatively affect a person's daily life and lead to difficulties in work, school, or social life. Therefore, it is a psychological disorder that should be taken seriously.

What is the Frequency of Social Anxiety Disorder in the Community?

Social anxiety disorder is a fairly common anxiety disorder worldwide. According to studies, approximately one out of every 10 people worldwide has social anxiety disorder.

In the United States, approximately 15 million people suffer from social anxiety disorder. It is also a common condition in the European Union and affects approximately one in 20 people.

Social anxiety disorder is also quite common in Turkey. Studies show that approximately one out of every 10 people in Turkey has social anxiety disorder.

What are the Factors Leading to Social Anxiety Disorder?

The factors leading to social anxiety disorder are complex and varied;

• * Genetic factors: It has been observed that the risk of social anxiety disorder is higher in people with a family history of social anxiety disorder.
• * Imbalances in brain chemistry: An imbalance of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause social anxiety disorder.
• * Environmental factors: A difficult childhood, negative life events, intense stress, loneliness, separation, job loss, divorce and other similar factors may contribute to the development of social anxiety disorder.
• * Personality traits: Perfectionism, lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem may play a role in the development of social anxiety disorder.
• * Social factors: Factors such as excessive criticism, pressure, negative social feedback, humiliation, contempt, constant judgment, criticism, and condemnation in the current social environment can lead to social anxiety disorder.

These factors may contribute to the development of social anxiety disorder, but there is no single factor in the development of social anxiety disorder. Therefore, the treatment of people with social anxiety disorder also requires a holistic approach.

What Kind of Negative Picture Does Social Anxiety Disorder Create?

Social anxiety disorder can affect a person's daily functioning and have many negative consequences at work, school, or social life. Some of the negative effects are:

• * Difficulties in social life: People with social anxiety disorder may have difficulty in everyday social interactions, such as public speaking, meeting new people, attending social events or joining a group.
• * Relationship problems: People with social anxiety disorder may also have difficulty in relationships that require interacting with people, such as romantic relationships, friendships, or workplace relationships.
• * Lack of self-confidence: People with social anxiety disorder may lose their self-confidence and feel worthless.
• * Depression: People with social anxiety disorder often co-exist with other psychiatric problems such as depression.
• * Difficulties in choosing a profession: People with social anxiety disorder may have difficulty developing the social skills necessary for success in their profession or job.
• * Health problems: People with social anxiety disorder often experience health problems because stress and anxiety have a negative impact on their physical health.

Social anxiety disorder is a condition that can significantly affect a person's quality of life and can be observed in many different situations in addition to the above items. If left untreated, people with social anxiety disorder may experience significant limitations in their lives.

What Kind of Therapy Methods Are Used in Social Anxiety Disorder?

Many therapy methods can be used in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. The most commonly used therapy methods are:

• * Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most effective therapy methods in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. This method of therapy focuses on changing the person's thoughts and behaviors. People with social anxiety disorder change their negative thinking by working through their worries and fears about their social interactions.
• * Social Skills Training: This therapy method helps people with social anxiety disorder improve their social skills. These skills are essential for coping with social interactions in everyday life.
• * Group Therapy: Group therapy for people with social anxiety disorder can help them learn to communicate with other people and share their social anxiety.

The treatment method is determined by the individual needs and preferences of the person with social anxiety disorder. Making time for treatment, finding a supportive therapist, and sticking to treatment are important in the treatment of social anxiety disorder.