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.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Social anxiety disorder, if untreated, may become a long-term condition that prevents you from having a normal life. This disorder may also cause other problems, such as alcohol and substance abuse, eating disorders, major depression, and suicide. Social anxiety disorder treatment is more difficult if these problems are present.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Medicines: You may have one or more of the following:

• Anti-anxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to help you feel less nervous and more relaxed.
  
  
• Anti-depressants: These medicines are given to decrease or stop the symptoms of depression. Other behavior problems may also be treated with anti-depressants.
  
  
• Beta-blockers: You may receive these medicines to treat or prevent "performance anxiety".
  
  
• Tranquilizers: These are also called sedatives and may be given to help you stay calm and relaxed.

Tests: Social anxiety disorder is usually diagnosed based upon your signs and symptoms. You may have any of the following tests to see if your condition is caused by a health problem:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Urine sample: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean the skin around the opening where you pass urine. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or the lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.

Other treatment options: You may have one or more of the following:

• Psychotherapy: This is also called talk therapy and may include any of the following:
  
  
  • Assertiveness training: This training teaches you to stand up for yourself. It also teaches you how to ask for what you need, how to set limits, and how to say no.
    
    
  • Family meetings: Your caregivers will meet with you and your family. You will talk about how to cope with your illness.
    
    
  • Group therapy: This is a series of meetings that you attend with other patients and staff. During these meetings, patients and staff talk together about ways to cope with illness.
    
    
  • Individual therapy: This is a time for you to meet alone with your therapist. During this time you and your therapist may talk about how to cope with your illness.
    
    
  • Social skills training: This teaches and trains you how to get along with other people.
  
  

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.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page