Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
If the mere thought of being the center of attention has you
cringing, you may be developing social anxiety disorder
symptoms.
If the idea of parties, school dances, or even family reunions
leaves you wondering whether you can scout their locations ahead
of time, so you'll never be too far from an exit, you may be
developing social anxiety disorder symptoms.
And if you finally do get up the courage to get to a school
dance, but behave in a way that makes the wallflowers look like
belles of the ball, you definitely have social anxiety disorder
symptoms.
What exactly are the social anxiety disorder symptoms?
They can be summed up in the messages you hear in your head when
faced with a situation in which you have to perform a public
activity.
The messages probably tell you that you will screw things up;
that people will be standing there just watching and waiting
until you do; and that if there is any possible way to avoid the
situation, you had better find, and take advantage of it.
In those social situations which you simply couldn’t avoid, your
social anxiety disorder symptoms might have surfaced as panic
attack--your heart was racing, you couldn’t get your breath, you
hands or knees were trembling, your voice, when you could think
of something to say, was cracking, you were perspiring heavily,
and your entire digestive tract was in rebellion.
So even if you weren't called on to do anything, you were sure
everyone was wondering what on earth was wrong with you.
And because you have frequently had these kinds of experiences
in social settings, the final outcome of your social anxiety
disorder symptoms is that you have done what you can to be a
recluse. You may be underperforming in a job, or at school,
simply because you don’t want any recognition.
You may have limited your relationships to those necessary for
survival--and never, ever initiate a social interaction. Your
social anxiety disorder symptoms may be severe enough that you
don’t even have a telephone.
How can you overcome your social anxiety disorder symptoms when
the mere thought of seeking help has you quaking in your shoes?
The fact that you are looking at articles on social anxiety
disorder symptoms may signal that you know your fears are not
only unreasonable, but also robbing you of the opportunity to
live life at its fullest.
And once you’ve come to that realization, the next step is to
find a medical professional specializing in anxiety disorders.
Such an individual will not have achieved success by judging his
or her patients, and won’t be judging you.
By beginning treatment for your social anxiety disorder
symptoms, you’ll be taking the most crucial step toward
silencing those hypercritical voices and coming to appreciate
yourself for the unique and special human being--with a
tremendous amount to offer the world--that you are!
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