Natural Help for Social Anxiety May Be a Good Option

If you’re an individual suffering from social anxiety, you know how frightening and frustrating this can be. You may be under a doctor’s care or have had therapy recommended for your treatment. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the most recommended treatment plans for social anxiety. Different types of medication are also recommended along with the CBT. Many people don’t like the idea of therapy or of taking medication for this type of problem. If you are looking for an alternative treatment, there is natural help for social anxiety as well. Natural help for social anxiety works well for many individuals provided they aren’t suffering from other serious health issues.

Natural help for social anxiety often comes in the form of natural and herbal treatments. People are finding more and more the importance of taking natural and herbal supplements for many ailments as opposed to traditional medical treatment. There are many herbal and natural supplements available for a variety of ailments. Most people today want to get away from taking prescription drugs, fearing addiction as well as possible negative side affects.

Two forms of natural help for social anxiety are valerian root and kava kava, both of which have been used to treat anxiety for years. Before you take any supplements, however, it’s important that you do research on them to make sure they also don’t have side affects that may make your anxiety worse. If you are presently taking prescription medications for your anxiety, check with your doctor before you start taking natural help for social anxiety, as these may interact with the drugs you are already taking.

Valerian root helps to relax the central nervous system, decrease stress and anxiety, providing a feeling of calm. It has also been effectively used as a sleep aid, but it doesn’t cause morning grogginess like some sleeping pills. It is also non-addictive, making it very popular form of natural help for social anxiety. The roots of kava kava are either ground into a pulp and added with water or chewed like gum. It’s used often for the relaxing qualities it provides as well as improving the mood and sense of well-being.

Other forms of natural help for social anxiety are relaxation exercises such as controlled breathing and muscle relaxing exercises prescribed by a doctor. Hypnotherapy is also a method of natural help that will often work for anxiety if it’s given by a qualified therapist. The therapist will be able to put the body in a relaxed state of mind. Another method of relaxation and natural healing is the use of acupuncture. Acupuncture is used as a way to reduce anxiety in the body. It’s been used for many years by the Chinese and they believe very strongly in its successfulness.

Social Anxiety Symptoms To Watch For

Social anxiety is one of the many classes of anxiety disorder. As is the case with the other forms of this condition, the symptoms can be very real to the person suffering from them. In fact, they can be so strong that complete avoidance of triggers is the defense mechanism that kicks in. Understanding the symptoms and what to watch out for can help a person who might have social anxiety realize the need to seek assistance to control and even overcome the condition.

Since many of the symptoms of social anxiety also mimic life-threatening and serious physical conditions, it is almost always advised that a physician be the one to determine the root cause. Even if the triggers are “obvious” social anxiety, such as an extreme fear of speaking in public or going to job interviews, a physical evaluation is almost always called for.

Some of the more common symptoms of social anxiety include:

• Dizziness. This symptom can present itself in the middle of an anxiety-producing social interaction and even in anticipation of it. Since it can also be a sign of a variety of medical conditions, getting it checked out is wise.
• Heart palpitations. People with social anxiety often report racing heartbeats, chest pain and general discomfort. These can also be signs of a heart attack.
• Nausea, stomach complaints. These symptoms quite commonly go along with social anxiety and a host of other physical conditions.
• Sweating, blushing and trembling. These are outwardly noticeable physical signs of a host of conditions, including social anxiety. If they present in the midst of an angst-producing social situation, they are likely caused by social anxiety. Medical determination is still not a bad idea.
• Other symptoms. People with social anxiety also report such things as an inability to concentrate, sleep or enjoy life. Some people find they suffer from headaches, general malaise and even such symptoms as a tightening throat, dry mouth and chills.

Social anxiety can present as an extreme fear of a very particular social situation. It can also impact all aspects of life outside of a house. In extreme cases, people might try to completely remove themselves from any and all situations that have been known to trigger extreme feelings of fear.

Getting a full medical and psychological evaluation to eliminate other potential causes can put a person with social anxiety on the right path for recovery. If the condition is properly diagnosed and treated, there is a very good chance a patient can overcome the situation. In many cases, a combination of medications and/or therapy will be prescribed to help a sufferer regain control over life and social situations. Being a little apprehensive in public situations is not at all abnormal. When fears overwhelm, there is likely a more serious problem involved.