SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER (SOCIAL PHOBIA) AND ANXIETY DISORDERS: WHAT IS IT?

ANXIETY DISORDER DIAGNOSIS

Is it shyness or social anxiety? Social anxiety differs from usual shyness by its intensity (deep anguish), it’s debilitating effect (impact of social life) and can even lead a person to completely avoid social situation for fear of humiliation (for example, a child or a teenager refusing to attend certain social events).  

Only a physician can diagnose social anxiety and determine if you are suffering from it or another disorder. With the help of other professionals, they will be able to establish a treatment plan adapted to your needs. 

SOCIAL ANXIETY CAUSES

As with anxiety disorders, it is difficult to pinpoint a precise cause for social anxiety. However, certain risk factors can often lead to symptoms. These risk factors, by nature are:

• Hereditary (family background)
• Biological (biological vulnerability or pre-existing diseases)
• Environmental (caffeine, alcohol or stimulants consumption or abuse; increased stress factors)
• Individual (personality, low self-esteem, etc.) 

ANXIETY DISORDER AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS

There are many anxiety disorders that differ by the cause, the intensity, and the duration of their symptoms. Here are examples of different anxiety disorders: 

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a type of anxiety that is constantly and continuously being felt by a person, impeding them to go on about their day in normalcy.
• Agoraphobia occurs when a person avoids public spaces for fear of not being able to get out of a crowd or not being able to access the necessary resources if for example diarrhea, a panic attack or any other debilitating symptoms arise. 
• Simple phobia is an unreasonable fear of a specific object, living being or situation (example: fear of spiders, fear of being buried alive). 
• Panic Disorder occurs when symptoms arise without any specific triggers and reach maximum intensity in few minutes. Panic attacks usually resolve themselves within 1 hours, but their intensity drains all energy from the person who experienced it. 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder stems from an obsessive idea. To get rid of an obsessive idea, the person uses rituals or compulsions (counting steps, executing a specific routine in a specific order)
• Post-Traumatic Syndrome Disorder is a condition where a person mentally relive one or many traumatizing events, which in turn, leads to important mental suffering and avoidance. 

TREATMENTS

An untreated anxiety disorder can impact many aspects of the life of a person. Relationships can be compromised, quality of life can decrease and the risk of alcohol and illicit substance abuse can increase. People suffering from anxiety disorders can also develop other mental disorders, such as depression and generally have a higher risk of suicide. 

Healthy lifestyle habits

According to health authorities, you can play an active role in your recovery by: 

• Exercising regularly 
• Eating a balanced diet, preferring foods rich in Omega-3 and fatty fishes
• Maintaining good sleeping habits and getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep
• Facing anxiety-inducing situations rather than avoid them. Avoiding anxiety-inducing situation can sometimes amplify anxiety. 
• Box Breathing, to help control the first signs of anxiety. This breathing technique consists in:
  
  • Inhaling for 4 seconds
  • Keeping the lungs full for 4 seconds
  • Exhaling slowly for 4 seconds
  • Keeping the lungs empty for 4 seconds, before starting this process over as needed. 

Psychotherapy

Cognitive-Behaviourial Therapy (CBT) aims to change the way a person interacts with the world, by teaching them new abilities or by changing the way they process and reacts to events happening to them. If this therapy proves not sufficient, medication can be added. CBT has been recognized useful in how to get rid of social anxiety. 

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are medication also used to treat anxiety disorders, especially generalized anxiety. They work by bringing back biochemical balance between various substances in the brain. There are many antidepressants on the market, each with different properties. 

Anxiolytics

Anxiolytics and sleeping pills are medication used to minimize symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiolytics, like benzodiazepines (ex : Ativan™ or Lorazepam, Rivotril™ or Clonazepam) are medication useful against feelings of worry and fear, as well as physical symptoms associated with anxiety. 

THE ROLE OF THE PHARMACIST

Your pharmacist has the right knowledge to support you on your mental health journey. Furthermore, your pharmacist is one of the most accessible health care professional, that you usually see more often than others. 

Your pharmacist can: 

• Detect the first signs and symptoms of a disorder
• Refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional
• Provide advice on how to better manage your symptoms
• Provide information and advice on your medication or treatment 
• See if any medication you are taking can interact with over-the-counter medication or natural health products
• Track your progress during treatment
• Adjust or recommend adjustments or substitutions for your treatment according to your symptoms and possible side effects. 

If you have any questions on anxiety disorders, social anxiety or if you think you are suffering from one of those conditions, do not hesitate to visit your pharmacist. Your pharmacist can guide you and refer you to the appropriate mental health resources.