Social Anxiety Disorder Depression: Is It Just Shyness?

It may be regarded by some as shyness, but is it really just shyness? Social anxiety disorder depression is seen as a mental disorder that keeps a person from socializing because he fears so many things. Shy or not, you should know if you are on the borderline.

Is Shyness the Same Thing as Social Anxiety Disorder Depression?

The answer to this, according to psychiatrists, is yes and no.

Yes, because one of the predominant behavior of a person with social anxiety disorder depression is shyness. Other people see a person with this disorder as extremely shy, someone who prefers to be alone rather than have a good time and socialize.

No, because a shy person may be shy in some ways but it his or her being shy does not prevent him from socializing, attending parties and be with friends for a picnic, dinner or a night out. A shy person is shy only to new people, for a short period of time. And with a familiar face, this shyness is gone.

Also, an adult who by nature is shy can find ways to mask his shyness. A person with social anxiety disorder depression doesn't know how to do this. He is overpowered by his feelings of extreme bashfulness that he would not socialize at all costs even if he would be dragged to, say, the party place. And when he is literally dragged, he might hyperventilate in front of the crowd.

Who Are Likely To Have It?

People of all ages, sexes and races can develop social anxiety disorder depression. The following types of persons are more prone to having this debilitating mental illness: have hormonal imbalance, have had traumatic experience in public and are raised in family that punishes a sibling for going out socially or are conditioned that people in the crowd are mobs or dangerous strangers.

When the person has social anxiety disorder depression, he may not even know that he has it. The reason is that that most people who are suffering from this mental illness do not know that they are mentally ill and should undergo therapy. These people act normal to people they know and can even function well, unless they are in a situation wherein they need to face a feared "social situation."

These feared social situations might be:

• Fear from public speaking
• Fear of meeting new people
• Fear of dining with other people or dine with unfamiliar faces around (in a restaurant)
• Fear of meeting older people
• Fear of meeting people of opposite sex
• Fear of being teased, criticized or being looked at
• Fear of using the telephone

If you happen to fear any of the above-listed situations, chances are great that you might have a social anxiety disorder depression. And if you do have it, you need see a professional to help you with your condition.

Common Symptoms

If a person who has social anxiety disorder depression is confronted by or faced his most feared social situations, he will display symptoms of extreme anxiety. These common symptoms may include any or all of, and are not limited to, the following:

• Sweating, blushing, upset stomach, palpitations, trembling hands, wobbly knees, dry throat.
• Nausea or dizziness. Feels like he or she is going to faint. Sometimes, this is accompanied by vomiting.
• Overwhelming feeling of wanting to run, hide or flee from the spot.
• Always turns down an invitation for a party, gathering or any activities that he or she thinks will put him in his or her feared situation.
• Resort to drugs or alcohol just to get through the feared situation.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it would be wise if you see a professional counselor to help you with your social anxiety disorder depression. A single session won't alter your mindset immediately. You need to regularly see your counselor to help you in conditioning your mind to face your feared situation and live a normal life. It is a difficult process yet with your perseverance, you are well on your way to socializing in no time at all.