#Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

[briarmae]

So, I have autism. One aspect of autism and/ or adhd is RSD, or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. It's used to describe a type of emotional disregulation.

I accidentally made a relatively popular post (for me). (It currently has 2,900 notes. My next most popular post has 100.) 2,900 notes, and of them, only about 12 people who responded were negative and/ or confused. I was CONSUMED with feelings of anger, anxiety, rejection, and sadness about those 12 people. 12 out of 2900.

RSD is ridiculous.

But my psychiatrist added a new antidepressant, and suddenly those feelings are blunted, and I can let go of things that cause me anxiety. But I can still experience joy, etc. It's like... my emotions are less overwhelming, but I can still feel them? I hope I'm describing it well enough.

Is this how *normal people feel?

(*Normal, of course, is relative. In this case, it refers to people who are neurotypical and/ or do not suffer from mental illness.)

[savageboar]

i can't stop thinking about how insidious it is, these advertisers demanding the censorship of even uttering the word suicide. like. as someone who suffers from suicidal ideation you know what kept me from opening up about it and my depression and seeking medical help for so long? people treating it like a forbidden taboo subject you're not supposed to ever talk about. all this will do is actually cause more people to suffer and die. we gotta kill capitalism.

[seventh-district]

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[maarga12]

Contact us for the best Psychiatric Treatments in Bangalore

Contact Maarga Mindcare for Severe Depression and other mental illnesses. We offer mental health treatments for psychological disorders. Book counselling now Best Psychiatrists in Bangalore

[teiasviago]

the most frustrating thing about how people talk about anxiety disorders though is that whenever you search for information about them and read about symptoms they never mention secondary ones. like i am aware that i get the sweats during an anxiety attack, i would like to confirm that my hyperfixations are the result of my disorder and that i use them as a coping mechanism!!!!

[healingwithhypnotic]

Comparing Group Therapy and Individual Therapy: Understanding Uses, Benefits, and Effectiveness

Choosing between group therapy and individual therapy for mental wellness can be challenging. Group therapy offers a supportive network of peers facing similar issues, while individual therapy provides a private space for personalized exploration. Our blog post, “Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy: Uses, Benefits & Effectiveness”, delves into the dynamics, benefits, and potential drawbacks of both approaches. We compare different types of group therapy and explore the specific issues each can address, from substance abuse to self-esteem problems.

We also discuss the advantages of individual therapy, such as personalized attention and deeper exploration of personal issues. The post highlights the effectiveness of both therapies, backed by research, and provides insights into choosing the right approach for your needs.

Visit the link for more detailed information: Group Therapy vs Individual Therapy: Uses, Benefits & Effectiveness.

[reflect-within]

Reflect within on 5 effective ways to manage anxiety. Practice mindfulness, engage in regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet, seek support from loved ones or professionals, and cultivate healthy coping mechanisms.

[onefite]

How to Overcome Social Anxiety

‍ Image Source: FreeImages‍ Introduction Do you find yourself feeling anxious or uneasy in social situations? You’re not alone. Social anxiety affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort and hindering their ability to connect with others. But fear not, as there are effective strategies to help you overcome social anxiety and regain your confidence. In this article, we will explore…

[fl0rescer8]

medical update

for as long as i can remember i’ve hated going to the doctors. it’s understandable having been to many different places where i was constantly tested and asked questions only to be told 90% of the time that i was perfectly fine. i was in fact not fine and was diagnosed with selective mutism, social anxiety, and clinical depression all within the span of 5+ years. + health issues which cause chronic pain to my knee joints, hips, and back, migraines, and asthma, all since the age of 11-12.

well, i finally found a doctor for almost everything i could possibly need. it turns out my migraines are back, my asthma never really went away, and my anxiety was never truly dealt with and is worse than ever. + i may or may not have PCOS or endometriosis.

while knowing this could be the possible answer to my problems it is very scary and frustrating when it comes to actually resolving the problem. the treatment options i was given were birth control methods, which by the way, i have never been on. the scary part is choosing the right option for me. and while i know there is no right or wrong choice it still worries me that i will choose the thing that doesn’t end up working for me or possibly even making things worse. because of my medical history my options are a little limited. all that’s left is to research and decide the best option for me. as someone who is terrible at making decisions and really indecisive i hope i can make one very soon.

[benja-min]

Treatment For Social Anxiety Disorder

There are various treatment for social anxiety disorder, including psychological therapy (in person or online), medication and lifestyle modifications. Your GP will be able to help you decide the most effective course of action for yourself.

Social Anxiety Disorder can often be treated effectively using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medicines, which help increase levels of serotonin in your brain to alleviate depression and anxiety.

Medication

Feeling shy or uncomfortable in social situations is natural; for those living with social anxiety disorder, however, these feelings are intense and interfere with daily life. Unfortunately, social anxiety disorder often goes misdiagnosed and untreated; leading to depression, eating disorders or substance use disorders as potential outcomes.

Medication may help alleviate symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder. Beta blockers, in particular, are effective at decreasing performance anxiety by limiting an adrenaline surge that causes symptoms like shaking hands or voice, sweating and fast heartbeat. Antidepressants may also prove useful when used alongside cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

CBT is an approach that helps individuals modify their negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations while practicing in-person social skills. CBT may be conducted individually or as group therapy and includes acting, role-playing, videotaping and observation. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), an approach which differs from CBT by directly challenging negative beliefs instead of changing their content, may also be effective for treating social anxiety disorder.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy--or talk therapy--can be an invaluable asset in treating social anxiety disorder. Individual, family and group therapy all can be extremely helpful; just make sure that the therapist you work with has experience treating anxiety disorders.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you recognize and modify negative thoughts that cause anxiety, as well as practice behaviors to relax more effectively. CBT for social anxiety disorder typically includes skills training and exposure exercises (like practicing what to say before an uncomfortable conversation), systematic desensitization techniques - gradually exposing yourself gradually to situations which trigger anxiety in a safe setting - as well as systematic desensitization techniques which gradually expose you to situations that cause discomfort over time.

Lexapro and Zoloft antidepressants can help improve mood and ease symptoms of social anxiety disorder by altering certain chemicals in your brain. Although results of antidepressant use often take several weeks to kick in, beta-blockers may help manage physical symptoms like shaking, sweating and rapid heart rate in some people with social anxiety disorder. Medication can be taken alone or combined with talk therapy; always inform your physician of any medications being taken prior to beginning therapy sessions.

Support groups

Mental health organizations and clinics may provide social anxiety disorder support groups as part of their services. Group therapy typically entails regular meetings (once or more per week) during which people collaborate together to form new relational patterns and responses to situations that raise anxiety in social interactions; the sessions may be led by one or more therapists.

Attending group meetings can be daunting for even the most socially confident of individuals, so for a smoother experience it may help to ask a friend or family member for support in getting there or sitting through part of it with you. They could offer their car service or sit alongside you throughout the meeting.

Some support groups exist online via forums and social media, while others meet face-to-face either in local communities or a virtual space. Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy sessions help participants realize that negative thoughts and emotions regarding social situations don't pose as great a threat as initially anticipated.

Self-help

Social anxiety disorder makes interacting with others both intimidating and frightening, which may prevent you from leading a full life. If your anxiety is impeding your experience of happiness, seek treatment with a mental health provider; the American Psychiatric Association offers help finding one in your area.

Medication used to treat anxiety can help alleviate its symptoms and help people function more comfortably in social situations. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are commonly prescribed antianxiety drugs; they typically take several weeks or months before showing their full effects; other options like Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) can also be effective; finally Benzodiazepines such as Alprazolam (Xanax) or Clonazepam (Klonopin) may provide quick relief of severe anxiety symptoms.

Psychotherapy -- commonly referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder or CT-SAD -- can be effective alone or combined with medication in treating social anxiety disorder. It teaches individuals how to change negative beliefs and behaviors about social situations and gradually work up to facing them in a safe environment.

[samarpanhealth]

Anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear such as health, money, or family problems. Samarpan offers anxiety disorder treatment in Mumbai. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that are characterized by excessive worry, fear, and anxiety. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Get the most effective anxiety treatment plan for your specific needs.

[mentalhealth11blog]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals manage and overcome their anxiety by identifying and changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, and that by changing the way we think and behave, we can change how we feel. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Anxiety with the individual to identify the thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their anxiety symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps the individual challenge and reframe these thoughts, which can help reduce anxiety.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Codependent Characters

Codependency

The state of being mutually reliant (e.g., a relationship between two individuals who are emotionally dependent on one another).

A dysfunctional relationship pattern in which an individual is psychologically dependent on (or controlled by) a person who has a substance use or non-substance-related disorder (e.g., alcohol use disorder, gambling disorder).

Signs of Codependency

Some things found to correlate with codependency include (Marks et al., 2012):

Low self-esteem

Low levels of narcissism

Familial dysfunction

Depression

Anxiety

Stress

Low emotional expressivity

Other signs of codependency (Lancer, 2016; Mental Health America, n.d.):

Having a hard time saying no

Having poor boundaries

Showing emotional reactivity

Feeling compelled to take care of people

Having a need for control, especially over others

Having trouble communicating honestly

Fixating on mistakes

Feeling a need to be liked by everyone

Feeling a need to always be in a relationship

Denying one’s own needs, thoughts, and feelings

Having intimacy issues

Confusing love and pity

Displaying fear of abandonment

Differentiate between a Healthy & a Codependent Relationship

In a healthy relationship, both individuals have a sense of autonomy and independence. Both are able to maintain their own identities while still being connected to their partner.

While in a codependent relationship, one person may sacrifice their own needs and wants in order to please their partner, or they may become overly enmeshed and lose a sense of self.

Additionally, in a codependent relationship, there is often an imbalance of power, with one person being overly controlling or dominant.

Overcoming Codependency

Research has been conducted into group, individual, and family therapy modalities for overcoming codependency, with one systematic review showing a significant reduction in symptoms when long-term post-intervention follow-ups were conducted (Abadi et al., 2015).

The main emphasis of these various treatment modalities is on altering how the codependent person views themselves and their relationships.

This can involve interventions with various (or numerous) goals:

Building Self-Esteem. Low self-esteem is a well-established symptom of codependency (Cermak, 1986; Whitfield, 1991). Building the codependent person’s self-esteem is a main focus of many counseling interventions, with evidence supporting their efficacy (Abadi et al., 2015).

Improving Boundary Setting. Weak or unclear boundaries are another reason codependent people are often willing to compromise their personal needs and happiness to satisfy a partner. Interventions aimed at building self-awareness, self-expression, and communication skills can help an individual’s ability to set and enforce healthy boundaries (Abadi et al., 2015).

Encouraging Self Care. Boundary-setting is just one form of self-care. People with codependent tendencies can also benefit from learning to prioritize their self-care, needs, and happiness before taking care of others (Beattie, 2008).

Originally, “the term ‘codependent’ described persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person” (Lampis et al., 2017).

A psychological construct involving an unhealthy relationship that people might share with those closest to them.

It was originally thought to involve families of substance abuse but has since grown to include other types of dysfunctional relationships.

Modern understandings of codependency: “a specific relationship addiction characterized by preoccupation and extreme dependence—emotional, social and sometimes physical—on another person” (Lampis et al., 2017).

The concept of codependency does still apply to families with substance abuse issues but is also used to refer to other situations too.

The main consequence of codependency is that “[c]odependents, busy taking care of others, forget to take care of themselves, resulting in a disturbance of identity development” (Knudson & Terrell, 2012).

To sum up, codependency is a psychological concept that refers to people who feel extreme amounts of dependence on certain loved ones in their lives, and feel responsible for the feelings and actions of those loved ones.

Codependency is not recognized as a distinct personality disorder by the DSM-5.

That said, research shows that while codependency does overlap with other personality disorders, it appears to constitute a distinct psychological construct. The best way to learn about codependency is to review some signs of codependency (examples above).

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[ed-recoverry]

Some free mental health/illness books to look at!

We love internet archive here

The Myth Of Normal

Organizing Solutions for People With Attention Deficit Disorder

Dying to please : anorexia, treatment and recovery

Self harm : the path to recovery

Dealing with depression : understanding and overcoming the symptoms of depression

The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook : a guide to healing, recovery, and growth

Borderline personality disorder demystified : an essential guide for understanding and living with BPD

Am I still visible? : a woman's triumph over anorexia nervosa

Back to life, back to normality : cognitive therapy, recovery, and psychosis

Panic attacks workbook : a guided program for beating the panic trick

The autistic brain : thinking across the spectrum

The addiction recovery skills workbook : changing addictive behaviors using CBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing techniques

The bipolar workbook : tools for controlling your mood swings

The anxiety & phobia workbook

Reclaiming yourself from binge eating : a step-by-step guide to healing

Your guide to schizophrenia

Overcoming social anxiety and shyness : a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques

DBT Skills Training Manual: Handouts And Worksheets

Bipolar 101 : a practical guide to identifying triggers, managing medications, coping with symptoms, and more

49 tips and insights for understanding addiction

Understanding paranoia : what causes it, how it feels and what to do about it

The beginner's guide to eating disorders recovery

Paths to recovery : Alcoholic Anon's steps, traditions, and concepts

Psychosis : understanding and treatment

Skinny boy : a young man's battle and triumph over anorexia

The borderline personality disorder survival guide : everything you need to know about living with BPD

Recovery of your inner child

Living well on the spectrum : how to use your strengths to meet the challenges

Everyday mindfulness for OCD : tips, tricks & skills for living joyfully

Living with bipolar disorder : a guide for individuals and families

Coping with schizophrenia

Loosening the grip : a handbook of alcohol information

Don't feed the monkey mind : how to stop the cycle of anxiety, fear & worry

Coping with BPD : DBT and CBT skills to soothe the symptoms of borderline personality disorder

Understanding body dysmorphic disorder : an essential guide

How to deal with OCD

Dying of embarrassment : help for social anxiety & phobia

The Body Image Workbook For Girl Teens

Overcoming depression

Trichotillomania, skin picking, and other body-focused repetitive behaviors

Depression : what is it? : what to do?

Voices in Psychosis - Interdisciplinary Perspectives

The brain over binge recovery guide : a simple and personalized plan for ending bulimia and binge eating disorder

The ADHD advantage : what you thought was a diagnosis may be your greatest strength

How to survive your bipolar brain (and stay functional)

The Borderline Personality Disorder Workbook An Integrative Program To Understand And Manage Your BPD

Autistic Community And The Neurodiversity Movement

Taking charge of adult ADHD

Obsessive-compulsive disorders : a complete guide to getting well and staying well

Explaining depression

Bipolar disorder : a guide for patients and families

The cognitive behavioral workbook for depression : a step-by-step program

Overcoming worry and generalised anxiety disorder : a self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques

Insight into self harm

Get me out of here : my recovery from borderline personality disorder

Returning to happiness-- : Overcoming depression with your body, mind, and spirit

Food : the good girl's drug : how to stop using food to control your feelings

The autistic spectrum : characteristics, causes, and practical issues

Coping with an abusive relationship

Overcome depression

An introduction to coping with eating disorders

Feeling good : the new mood therapy

Driven To Distraction, Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood

[transmutationisms]

Hi, i just discovered your tumblr. For you, what is mental illness, then? What is depression? What is anxiety? What is autism? I want to understand your mind and your opinion, but I don't know where to start, so I'm going to send this question.

i would define 'mental illness' broadly as any cluster of behaviours, beliefs, or thought patterns that is described and pathologised by the medical authorities a person is subject to. within this very broad category we can make a first distinction:

people for whom the pathologised behaviours and thought patterns cause them genuine distress

people for whom they do not

this distinction speaks to several different purposes and outcomes of the medicalisation of human psychology, ranging from 'an attempt to ameliorate human suffering' to 'an attempt to enforce prescribed forms of social order and normality'. furthermore, the first category above should be further interrogated with attention to whether a person's distress arises from intrinsic experiential aspects or from attempting to survive in a social environment hostile to their needs.

i don't define 'mental illness' on the basis of biomarkers, neurobiology, or genetics, and neither does clinical psychiatry, despite roughly two centuries now of sinking time and money into trying to find such biological confirmations of socially and politically defined 'types'.

different diagnoses have different histories, social functions, and medical discourses attached. for example, of the three you listed, autism is the one most likely to be presented with 'neurodivergency', rather than disease, as the explanatory paradigm, though this is far from a universal approach amongst clinicians. autism is also the most likely of the three to be 'treated' through elaborate and abusive methods of trying to instill and enforce 'normal behaviour'; depression and anxiety are typically medicalised in a different way that emphasises an aberrant disruption to otherwise 'normal' functioning, even in chronic presentations, with different accompanying pharmaceutical and psychotherapeutic treatments. other diagnostic labels may function entirely differently: for example, consider the function of the relatively historically recent split between autism and schizophrenia, or the extent to which the historical concept of hysteria informs many personality disorder diagnoses.

ultimately a 'mental illness' is a constructed category: there is no essence of depression, no depression virus, and no universal biological marker to discover that unites all depressives or people diagnosed as such. this emphatically does not mean that the suffering described is not real or debilitating. it means that our particular ways of categorising, taxonomising, and pathologising it are socially and historically contingent, and any analysis of them that ignores their social and political functions and origins is incomplete and inaccurate.

[rq-nursedolly]

could you possibly coin something similar to MIID except instead of it being one's reflection, it's with the image of a character they strongly identify with or as (whether in an alterhuman way, a system way, or a transid/cis id way)

》 @radically-katrielle

CHARACTER AFFINITY IDENTITY DISORDER

— What is it ?

Character Affinity Identity Disorder (CAID) is a condition where an individual strongly identifies with a specific character's portrait, to the point where their sense of self becomes deeply intertwined with that character’s traits or persona. This can lead to emotional overlap, confusion about personal identity, and difficulty functioning outside of the character, often causing distress or anxiety when not embodying them .

— Symptom List :

Intense Identification : A persistent and overwhelming sense of self being tied to a specific character's portrait, to the point where their traits, appearance, or life experiences feel deeply aligned with the individual’s own identity . Emotional Portrait Attachment : A strong, almost uncontrollable urge to look at images or representations of the character, often for reassurance, comfort, or to reinforce the identity connection . Inconsistent Self-Perception : Shifts in self-perception, where the individual may struggle to define who they are outside of the character, feeling lost when not expressing or identifying as them . Dysphoria or Anxiety : Feelings of discomfort or distress when unable to embody or express the character, leading to anxiety or a sense of disconnection from one’s own identity . Altered Social Interactions : Difficulty engaging in social environments as their “real” self, preferring to present or embody the character’s traits or persona in interactions .

— Treatment ?

Unlike MIID , CAID isn't as easily treatable .

While potentially addressed with some therapeutic methods, may be less straightforward to treat due to the deeply ingrained nature of the identity attachment to the character. Unlike MIID, which might respond well to behavioral therapies that help individuals dissociate from their reflections, CAID may involve more complex layers of identity formation, possibly including dissociation or a strong alterhuman, system, or trans/cis identity component. In cases where CAID is more about a deeply rooted sense of self, treatment may be longer-term or focus on integration techniques that help the person understand and navigate their identity without fully relying on the character.

@ credits to armyflags for the flag < 3