Someone Can Help You

When social anxiety disorder begins to take control of a situation, you feel surrounded on all sides with no hope of stopping the assault of fear. People who just go through "stage fright" or shyness have a tiny glimpse into the horror you go through when your social anxiety is so strong that it can paralyze you from being able to perform even the most basic of social functions. The combined trauma of feeling anxiety turn you into a nonfunctional human being combined with the terrible embarrassment and social isolation you feel when people in your social circle witness an anxiety attack makes episodes of social anxiety disorder a genuine hell on earth experience.

The first thing to realize if you have such severe anxiety symptoms that you cannot perform in some social situations is that you really do have a disorder. Too often people who suffer with social anxiety disorder blame themselves and allow the shame and embarrassment to only make the sense of guilt and isolation much, much worse. Everyone has some social anxiety. But if your difficulty with social situations such as speaking in public, going on a date or attending a job interview literally stop you from being a success and keep you away from important social engagements, its time to seek help.

By recognizing that you have a genuine disorder, you take the first step of acknowledging that your problem is not your fault. Medical science has acknowledged that social anxiety disorder is a genuine psychological illness. You don't blame yourself or undergo guilt if you get the flu or break your big toe. So there is no reason to beat yourself up or experience any blame because you are suffering with a medically recognized disorder. It just means you need and deserve to find help.

The second and very important thing to recognize when social anxiety disorder disrupts your life so severely is that there are people that can help you and that these people WANT to help you. Social anxiety disorder lies to its victims and makes them feel isolated and unworthy of friendship or help. Don't let this insidious disease deceive you. There are people in your life that love you and want you to see this disease treated and even cured. And yes, you CAN be cured of social anxiety disorder.

Just by recognizing that you are experiencing social anxiety that is far more severe than what everybody else goes through is a clue that you have a medical problem that can be treated medically. In fact, social anxiety disorder is the second most common psychological disease in the country. That means that highly trained and qualified doctors know what to do to help you. Sadly, many people who suffer with social anxiety problems don't seek out help from doctors because to do so is a social connection and the very anxiety that doctors want to help you with can disable you from seeking that help. Its a tragic dilemma.

So tap into the most powerful social force you have at your disposal. That is your close circle of loved ones, family and friends. Start by being willing to talk about what you are going through. There is no shame in being sick. Don't give in to the instinct to hide your anxieties and wish they would just go away. To beat this disorder, it must be confronted. And if you are not capable of contacting a psychologist or seeking that help, allow the ones that love you most to get that help for you.

Along with medical help and the value of loved ones who are your first line of defense against this ugly problem, the internet can be a lifeline for you in helping you battle social anxiety disorder. Just as you found this article, there are mountains of information out there in cyberspace to help you understand the disorder you are suffering with and arm you with plenty of advice and information so you can fight back and win against social anxiety disorder.

Take advantage of every resource you have to reduce the debilitating impacts of this paralyzing disorder. Anything you can do to reach out to people, doctors and internet groups that can help you is a step in the right direction. Once you are on the road to recovery, you will be so glad you say "NO" to social anxiety disorder and the damage it can do to your life.