Social Anxiety Research Paper

Social anxiety is “a fear of humiliation or of being judged by others, and an avoidance of social situations where attention centers on the individual” (Martis). According to the Social Anxiety Institute, social anxiety has become the third largest psychological disorder, following depression and alcoholism (Richards). Commonly, victims of this social phobia have problems pursuing social environments, interactions, and relationships (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). The failure to fulfill daily requirements in jobs, social settings, and relationships often leaves them feeling “powerless, alone, or even ashamed” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Today in America,“15 million [people] suffer[from] the disorder” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Of the 15 million …show more content…
The variety of feelings produced by this disorder originates during the victim's negative mental process. Mentally individuals are often “... overwhelmed by thoughts like, … I'll end up looking like a fool,... my voice will [shake and humiliate me], people will think I'm stupid, and I won't have anything to say [and] seem boring” (Smith, Melinda, and Ellen Jaffe). In addition, “... performance anxiety can sometimes... take the form of what seems to be a terrible joke custom-designed to humiliate” (Stossel 101)This constant feeling of fear is the most common feature of social anxiety (Richards). On the other hand, “thoughts and feelings continue and show no signs of leaving though essentially the victims are ‘[facing] their fears’” (Richards). Social anxiety can also bring about worry, indecision, depression, embarrassment, feelings of inferiority and self-blame. As a result, when the victims “...[are] severely afflicted, life can be an unremitting misery” (Stossel 101). Furthermore, “up to 23 percent of patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder attempt suicide at some point” (Stossel 107).The physical effects of social anxiety can be insignificant, but continual symptoms may become detrimental to the life of the victim. Social Anxiety causes individuals to become excessively self-conscious and worried in everyday social situations (Smith, Melinda, and Ellen Jaffe). This intense worry may not …show more content…
The most commonly used form of treatment for social anxiety is therapy.Through professional care, success might vary from a “few months to more than a year” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). Treatment is individualized, but usually contains a combination of several therapies. These therapies are cognitive-behavioral, exposure, acceptance and commitment, dialectical behavioral, interpersonal, and eye movement desensitization, and reprocessing therapy (“Social Anxiety Disorder”).Exposure therapy is the reducing of fear and anxiety responses. The patient is gradually exposed to a feared situation or object and learns to become less sensitive. Acceptance and commitment therapy deals with the acceptance of the current moment without judgement, and also committing to behavioral change that is to come with the unnecessary thoughts, feelings, and sensations (“Social Anxiety Disorder”). This treatment brings clarity to the patient's thoughts and behavior. Dialectal Behavioral therapy develops individual and group therapies to learn mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and regulation of emotions through different cognitive behavioral techniques (“Social Anxiety Disorder”).Interpersonal therapy, is a short supportive therapy that looks at interpersonal issues in depression. It can take about “13 to 16 sessions” and are focused on gathering a patient's depression and