PAGE PAGE 1 Social Anxiety Disorder
Running head: SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDERSocial Anxiety Disorder Research Paper June 20, 2011Social Anxiety DisorderSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is an illness in which those affected are excessively self-conscious and overwhelmingly anxious in everyday social situations. While Medication cannot cure SAD, it is sometimes used to relieve the symptoms but will return if the medication is stopped, (NIMH, 2011, p. 1). I would advocate that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the best treatment method for SAD because it is difficult to get a success rate on medication as a result of the number of different types, the different reactions, side effects, and depende ...view middle of the document...
SAD can negatively influence anyone regardless of his or her socioeconomic status. SAD has affected many known people who do not appear to have had a social disorder such as Donny Osmond, Barbra Streisand, and Kim Basinger, (Madigan, 2011). It has been reported that Kim Basinger had suffered from panic, agoraphobia, and social phobia disorders. Her anxiety disorders began in childhood, when her worst fear was realized when she was asked to read aloud to the class. She found the solution to her anxiety through psychological therapy, (Madigan, 2011). Referring to a bad panic attack she had in her 20s, Kim Basinger quoted in the New York Post, "My hands were shaking. I was sweating so profusely, I could not move. I made it to my car and remember getting the keys in the ignition, cranking the car up, taking the back roads to my home and parking. I didn't leave the house for six months," (Bane, 2007, para 9). She went on to say "Fear has been something I've lived with my entire life, the fear of being in public places - which led to anxiety or panic attacks. I stayed in my house and literally cried every day," (Bane, 2007, para 21). Because of those like Kim Basinger, who have openly spoken about their social anxiety, the public has become more aware of how this disorder can affect a person's life and career.According to the National Institute of Mental Health, (2010), people with SAD have an anxious, persistent, self-conscious chronic fear of being embarrassed in front of other people and being judged by them. They can worry for days or weeks before an event. Those suffering from SAD may have body symptoms such as blushing, heavy sweating, trembling, nausea, and a hard time talking. This fear may become so severe that it can make it hard to make and keep friends, and even interfere with work, school, and other ordinary activities. Though currently there is no cure for SAD, people can live a more normal life with known treatments with certain kinds of medications or psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Medication merely addresses the symptoms not the root cause. Three types of medication are used; antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers. All of the medications have the risk of side effects such as "upset stomach, blurred vision, headache, confusion, grogginess, and nightmares," (NIMH, 2011, p. 1). Antidepressants can be helpful in severe and debilitating situations, originally developed to treat depression. Benzodiazepines are fast-acting anti-anxiety medications but are sedating and addictive. Beta blockers are not only used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure but are also used to "control some of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as trembling and sweating," (NIMH, 2011, p. 1).Treatment options should be discussed with a health care provider for those who believe he or she has SAD because there is not a "one-size-fits-all" best treatment p...
