7 Simple Ways to Overcome Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) can be a debilitating disease, so much so that it can keep a person from achieving a functional and fulfilling life. At its mildest, it can result to missed opportunities and the occasional disturbance of a panic attack. But at its worst, social anxiety can keep an individual indefinitely confined in isolation, forever afraid of even venturing out in public.

If you have Social Anxiety Disorder, or know someone who does, here are 7 simple ways that can help:

Know your enemy. Misconceptions about Social Anxiety Disorder can keep a person from getting the help they deserve. Many simply dismiss it as shyness, something that you can just shrug off if you just put your mind into it. Others will say that it’s a temporary condition, and will go away in a day or two.

But while it’s true that determined effort can help a person deal with SAD, recovery is not as simple as adopting a new mindset. Depending on the severity and chronicity of this condition, overcoming SAD may involve intensive therapy and medication. The more you know about the disease, the better informed your choices would be.

Learn relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques are the first aid in any anxiety problem. When anxiety symptoms appear, such as shortness of breath or pounding in your chest, you need to be able to calm yourself down. You need to be the one in control of your symptoms, not the other way around.

Some of the relaxation techniques that you can try are rhythmic breathing, visualization, music therapy, and progressive muscle relaxation. Many also find physical exercise, art and meditation as effective ways of managing stress reactions.

Affirm yourself. Many social anxiety attacks stem from insecurity about a personal attribute or performance. For instance, individuals scared of public speaking often think that they’d embarrass themselves if they take the microphone. Individuals who are afraid of dating situations are often anticipating rejection because they are not good looking enough, or interesting enough. But if you adapt the attitude that you are a person of worth and value, and that you have something to offer, then social situations can become less anxiety-provoking.

Practice, practice, practice! The only way to overcome social anxiety is to develop skills in interacting with other people. Among those skills are initiating conversations, self-presentation, the gracious acceptance of feedback, and conflict management. Take time to learn these skills; you can practice in the comfort of your home in front of a mirror, or get a soft skills trainor to give you some one-on-one coaching. The more confident you get about your skills, the better off you’d be!

Get support. Funny enough, the way to overcome social anxiety is to create a social network. Surround yourself with compassionate individuals who can empathize with what you are going through, and give you the encouragement that you need.

It also helps to get to know people who suffer from similar conditions; it can help make you feel that you are not alone. They can also give you tips on best practices to overcome social anxiety. The internet and your local community centers are excellent ways to look for others in the same boat as you.

Motivate yourself! Creating and sustaining energy towards recovery is very important. The road to overcoming social anxiety can have its ups and downs, and you need to make sure that you don’t let the downs overwhelm you.

Find ways to sustain your drive. Reward yourself for every success, regardless of how small. Set a goal that you want for yourself, and make it the benchmark of your every effort. A slow but steady road to recovery is always better than a haphazard plan that can go nowhere.

Lastly, seek professional help. Despite our generally informed culture, many people still feel a stigma attached to consulting a counselor, psychotherapist or a psychiatrist. But mental health professionals are trained to deal specially with issues like social anxiety, and you’ve got nothing to lose in seeking their advice. At best, a consultation with a mental health professional can help you create a recovery fun tailor-fitted to your needs and personality.