When you begin to wonder exactly who you are and what makes up your identity, people often search for the basics. Included in this is wondering if they are an extrovert, introvert, or ambivert. This is seemingly one of the most straightforward identities to give yourself - all it encompasses is whether you feel the most yourself surrounded by others or alone. However, this subject can be more complicated than you think. Some people who believe they are introverts actually just struggle with social anxiety; this means there are ways to address the symptoms to help you become your best self.
Therapists usually describe introversion as a trait that you are born with. This means that you display signs of introversion as a child, such as wanting to play alone rather than playing tag with a bunch of kids on the playground that you have never met before. As you get older, you might discover more signs such as only wanting a few close friends or needing to recharge your social battery after being around people all day. These behaviors are a part of who you are and therefore do not change due to circumstances. However, social anxiety is different.
Social anxiety is more than just being shy or wanting to spend time alone. Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that can be classified as a recurring, intense fear of others watching and judging you. Social anxiety can affect your daily life in every activity, making it difficult to form and keep friendships, excel at work, or engage in fun activities. Those that are introverted are not the only ones that can have social anxiety, as extroverts can have it too. However, treatment can help those struggling with it overcome their fears.
Social anxiety can manifest itself in various ways depending on the person. Common signs and symptoms can often be spotted to recognize the disorder and get the person the help they need. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you could have social anxiety:
If a person has an undiagnosed social anxiety disorder, it can negatively impact their life. Many individuals often have trouble forming new friendships and keeping them, have problems at work or school, or engage in risky behaviors as a way of overcoming their social anxiety. These behaviors can involve attempts at self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to help one become more social, loose, or escape the negative thoughts inside their head resulting from social anxiety. As a person continues to self-medicate, they become more at risk for developing an addiction.
Addiction can occur when their tolerance builds up, and an individual requires more of the substances to achieve the desired effects. As individuals continue to use drugs or alcohol, they will still experience the fears accompanied by social anxiety. However, tolerance makes the person need more of the substance to ease these fears, creating a vicious cycle. Self-medication can result in dependence and eventually addiction if left untreated, which can make the symptoms of social anxiety worse.
Social anxiety can be treated using various medications and therapies, depending on the person’s background, the severity of anxiety, and overall needs for recovery.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used for most patients because it helps them change how they perceive social situations and can influence how they act to overcome their fears. CBT can be done individually or as a group exercise.
Exposure therapy is a form of CBT. Therapists use exposure therapy to help gradually expose patients to the feared situation and helping guide them along the way by offering suggestions to help manage their anxiety. Social skills may also be taught as well as grounding and relaxation techniques.
Many individuals that struggle with social anxiety use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate to treat their symptoms. However, this often works temporarily and can lead to addiction. Facilities that offer dual diagnosis treatment are crucial for these individuals because they address the symptoms of social anxiety and help the individual heal from their addiction. Treating both disorders simultaneously will give the person a better chance at recovering with a lower risk of relapse.
Social anxiety and introversion are commonly used interchangeably when they are actually two different things. Understanding the differences can help individuals address their problems they have been facing and know how to overcome them. If you like spending time alone, you have the characteristics of an introvert. However, fear of being in social situations can point to social anxiety. Luckily, if you experience signs of social anxiety, there is hope for healing. Facilities like NorthStar Transitions treat mental health disorders and addiction, which means they can help you heal both disorders. NorthStar offers various therapies designed to help you achieve lasting recovery by addressing mental health and addiction. With NorthStar, you will have access to numerous different treatment modalities settled within the Boulder and Denver areas. The NorthStar difference is clinical excellence, evidence-based therapeutic modalities, and personalized treatment plans. Call us today to learn more about our programs and how they can help you at (303) 558-6400.
