Today, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is considered to be a psychopathology disorder that acquires an epidemic character. According to Weeks, Heimberg, Rodebaugh, Goldin & Gross (2012), around 60 000 000 are affected by this disease of mind. This means that out of 120 people, 1 will become a victim of this sickness. If a patient with SAD is offered proper medical treatment along with positive attitude on the part if his or her family and friends, he or she may feel significant relief, and will continue as a dignified member of society.
Speaking about the behaviors that are associated with SAD, it should be stated that through decades, a number of signs and symptoms were listed among the characteristics of its clinical picture. The main problem which the person with this disorder faces is “excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations” (“Social Anxiety Disorder”, 2012). Besides, the person is willing to separate from the rest of people; he or she looses the interest in things which used to be important before; and becomes generally discouraged and unmotivated. Such people become deterred from the others, they try to ruin their relationships with the others and scare them away. In addition, such people are known for an unusual behavior in showing their emotions. Usually, the affected person becomes rather aggressive, and demonstrates anger and irritation for no reason. In addition, people with SAD may experience difficulties in explaining their thoughts, use odd sentence structures and words, and jump from topic to topic. The person might find it very difficult to make decisions, and may display significant pathologies of memory mechanisms, and coping with daily activities or minor problems. Finally, such people may have paranoiac behaviors such avoiding contacts with people around them, or walking through different areas back and forth.
Addressing treatment and interventions currently used for the patients with SAD, it is important to note that they may be divided into two groups including medical and non-medical ones. Medical treatment of SAD includes anti-psychotic medications. From year to year, the list of such medicines is getting bigger which offers reasons for positive outlook (Willutzki, Teismann & Schulte, 2012). The main concept of using such medicines is in examining the condition of the brain of an affected person, finding out the kind of chemical misbalance in it, and offering the patient the drugs which will help to control this misbalance or even liquidate it. Non-medial treatment strategies include different types of psychological therapy, family and colleague’s support, sufficient rest, regular physical loads including going in for sports and regular engaging in housework.
To help a person with SAD, his or her family members and friends may implement the following strategies. First, one should talk to the affected person in a respectful manner identifying some of unusual observations concerning his or her conduct. In this friendly conversation, the person should explain that the affected individual is a precious person for him or her, and that due help from close people truly makes difference in helping affected people. In addition, close people may show the affected individual their love in practical ways such making surprises, taking for a walk, presenting with flowers, etc.
In conclusion, SAD is one of the most common mental disorders affecting people globally. Around 1% of all people in the world are diagnosed with it. Despite complicated clinical picture of this disease, people affected with it can be cured effectively. Their condition may be significantly improved in case of a proper medical and non-medical treatment.
References
Social Anxiety Disorder. (2012). Web.
Weeks, J. W., Heimberg, R. G., Rodebaugh, T. L., Goldin, P. R., & Gross, J. J. (2012). Psychometric evaluation of the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale in patients with social anxiety disorder. Psychological Assessment, 24(2), 301-312.
Willutzki, U., Teismann, T., & Schulte, D. (2012). Psychotherapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Long-Term Effectiveness of Resource-Oriented Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Therapy in Social Anxiety Disorder. Journal Of Clinical Psychology, 68(6), 581-591.