Social Anxiety Disorder

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Social anxiety disorder is a condition in which you avoid social situations that you fear will make you uncomfortable. It is also called social phobia or sometimes called SAD. You may fear that people are observing or judging you or that they have negative feelings about you. You may become anxious and distressed and choose to avoid situations. This fear may be extreme and may be real or imagined. The anxiety and fear can get in the way of work, school, or other daily activities. With proper treatment and medicine, you may be able to do most of your daily activities.
  
  
• It is not exactly known what causes social anxiety disorder. Having a long-term fear or a problem with chemicals in your body, such as dopamine or serotonin, are possible causes. You may have blushing, trembling, sweating, and trouble talking to people. social anxiety disorder may affect how you do things and how you act with other people but it can be treated. With medicine and treatment, you may perform most of your daily activities.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity:

• Keep a diary where you can write down situations when you have social anxiety disorder signs or symptoms. Bring the diary with you every time you see your caregiver. Some things you may want to record in the diary include the following:
  
  
  • __ What were you doing when the symptoms started?
    
    
  • __ Had you eaten anything unusual, or taken a new medicine or herbal supplement?
    
    
  • __ Were you stressed or upset during the time leading to the attack?
    
    
  • __ How often do you have symptoms? How long do they last?
    
    
  • __ What were your thoughts and feelings during these situations?
    
    
  • __ What physical (body) symptoms did you have?
    
    
  • __ Did anything help ease or stop the symptoms, such as a relaxation technique?
  
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions or concerns about your illness or medicine.
  
  
• You have new symptoms that you did not have when you last saw your caregiver.
  
  
• Your symptoms are getting worse.
  
  
• You have problems that you think may be caused by the medicine you are taking.
  
  
• You find that your anxiety makes you unable to work or to care for yourself or your family.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have chest pain, tightness, or pressure that may spread to your shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back.
  
  
• You feel like fainting or are lightheaded or too dizzy to stand up.
  
  
• You feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
  
  
• This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 operator. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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