How to Overcome Debilitating Social Anxiety
Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash
If you know or believe you may have social anxiety disorder, you may feel alone. It is common to feel helpless. However, this disorder affects as many as one in 10 people at some point in their life. The good news is that safe and effective help is available.
There are several proven treatments for social anxiety. Aside from medication, you can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and brain training as an option for anxiety treatment in Dubai.
Here, we look at:
- What is social anxiety?
- How to overcome social anxiety
- How to choose the right treatment pathway.
What is social anxiety?
Emotional and behavioral symptoms of social anxiety are the fear and avoidance of many social situations. Perhaps you dread parties, date nights, or meeting new colleagues. You might prefer to shut yourself away rather than socialize. You may avoid starting conversations, going to new places, or speaking with strangers. These feelings may be new to you or you may have felt this way for a long time.
Physical manifestations of anxiety can include excessive blushing, sweating, a racing heart, tripping over words, trembling or feeling nauseous. While many people are a little nervous in unfamiliar or unusual social situations, if you describe your feelings as overwhelming and you have regularly felt this way for several months or more, it is possible that you have social anxiety disorder.
How do I know when to seek help for social anxiety?
The feelings of dread and panic from social anxiety are difficult to manage. They are often accompanied by depression and low self-esteem. Negative and overwhelming thoughts are common, too, and can lead to suicidal feelings. Therefore, it is vital to seek help as soon as possible.
Many people find it difficult to seek help with social anxiety. A fear of new situations and new people is a symptom of this form of anxiety; therefore, approaching people who can help is not easy to do. However, if you feel that your anxiety is stopping you from living the life you want to live and causing you pain, then it is time to find people who can help you.
How to overcome social anxiety
The first step is often to approach your healthcare provider for anxiety disorder treatment in Dubai. They may be able to provide a formal diagnosis. They can help you determine the triggers for your social anxiety, which may be certain situations.
However, it is also possible that a medical condition or medication may be the cause of your anxiety. This is why it is important to discuss anxiety with a person who has an understanding of your medical history and your current physical and mental health.
Your healthcare provider will suggest how to overcome social anxiety. They may suggest medication for social anxiety and you can discuss with them whether this is the right option for you. There are also several non-medicated treatment pathways available from therapists and doctors. In the remainder of this article, we’ll discuss two options for anxiety disorder treatment in Dubai, both offered by Evolve Brain Training.
What is brain training for anxiety?
Neurofeedback therapy is a form of brain training used to treat social anxiety. It is a non-invasive technique that works by encouraging the brain to self-regulate. This helps improve cognitive and emotional function and reduces unwanted behaviors.
Before the therapy begins, brain mapping is used to determine where the brain is not functioning, as well as where it might be functioning. Brain wave patterns are checked for over- and under-arousal in certain areas. The results determine the target for therapy and often reveal the problems causing mental health difficulties.
During a neurofeedback therapy session, brain activity is monitored using gentle EEG sensors and specialist software. The client’s brain receives feedback on its own performance through audio or video, which encourages it to adjust and maximize its potential. Over a number of sessions, the brain learns what it needs to do to stay calm and resolve anxious thoughts.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is frequently used to treat anxiety. It is a goal-focused, highly structured form of psychological therapy. It is based on the cognitive model framework that explains how behaviors and feelings are always determined by a person’s thoughts and perceptions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for social anxiety is very present-focused and solutions-based. Unlike other therapies, the focus is not on examining the past but on overcoming current psychological symptoms. All CBT therapies start with a thorough assessment. An agreement is made between the therapist and the client on what the goal of their time together will be.
The therapist then devises a customized series of CBT sessions and accompanying homework. These sessions are highly collaborative and the client is very active in their treatment. According to the American Psychological Association, there is ample and highly credible evidence that CBT invokes positive change for social anxiety.
How do I choose a treatment?
Aside from discussing treatments for social anxiety disorder with your healthcare provider, please get in touch with us at Evolve Brain Training. We have helped many people overcome debilitating social anxiety and offer both neurofeedback therapy and CBT in Dubai. We will gladly answer any further questions you may have about how these treatments may help you.
Dr. Upasana Gala is the founder and CEO of Evolve Brain Training, a Neurofeedback-centered institute that focuses on using non-invasive brain training techniques to maximize the brain's true potential.
