Social Phobias
It's natural for all of us to feel self-conscious or shy in front of other people. If we need to give a presentation or stand up in front of a group of people it's normal to have a racing heart or sweaty palms. Most of us can manage to get through these when we need to, but for others the anxiety that goes along with the feelings of shyness can be extreme.
Sometimes, the anxiety is so great that they cannot make eye contact and talking to someone new is out of the question. When someone suffers from anxiety that's so overwhelming that they're unable to socialize normally, it goes beyond mere shyness and may be a social phobia. Many people who suffer from social phobias also suffer from dysthymia, a form of depression.
Social phobia is classified as a type of anxiety problem. Overwhelming feelings of shyness or nervousness blossom into intense fear, and as a result the person is unable to function or participate in everyday activities. For those that suffer from this anxiety disorder they may be able to interact easily with family and close friends, people that they feel comfortable with, but when placed in a different situation with strangers the disorder is triggered.
Social phobia can get in the way of daily life and instead of going out and enjoying social activities, sufferers tend to dread them or even avoid them altogether. Like many other phobias, social phobia is a reaction to something that isn't actually dangerous, although it might feel very dangerous at the time. Some physical symptoms that might be experienced include a trembling voice, shortness of breath, intense sweating and muscular tension.
The causes and treatment for social phobias are similar to those for agoraphobia and other simple phobias. Medications, such as minor tranquilizers and antidepressants, are commonly prescribed to help mask the symptoms and allow the sufferer to feel "normal". Benzodiazepine is the most commonly prescribed medication to combat social phobias. It's a very strong medication that can cause the person taking it to fall asleep. Another potential side effect is the dependency that can result from taking it. Since it relieves the symptoms of anxiety, there is a high risk of one becoming completely dependent on it in order to function in daily society. Other side effects include upset stomach, delirium and disorientation. With prescription medications there is also the risk of allergic reactions and permanent damage to major organs such as the heart or liver.
When you opt for a drug free treatment of social phobias you have none of these dangerous risks or side effects. Positive and natural treatments such as natural breathing and relaxation techniques empower the person suffering from the disorder by allowing them to take matters into their own hands. They are not dependent on medication for relief. Natural treatments allow you to get to the root of the anxiety by helping you relax completely and more often as well as getting your mind off of the source of your anxiety so that you can enjoy daily activities.
Finally, natural treatments are accessible anywhere and at anytime and are much cheaper than costly medications. Controlled breathing costs nothing but a little time and guided meditation DVDs can be used again and again at your convenience after being purchased once.
