{"id":1723,"date":"2021-08-13T15:05:15","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T05:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/?p=1723"},"modified":"2021-08-19T15:06:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T05:06:52","slug":"coping-with-social-anxiety-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellbeing.com.au\/curious\/coping-with-social-anxiety-disorder","title":{"rendered":"Living and coping with social anxiety disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

Catherine Falalis opens up about her 20-year journey with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). An exhausting cycle which, when at its worst, makes even the most mundane daily activities unbearable.<\/em><\/p>\n

Eight-year-old Sarah grips her mother\u2019s hand tightly as they walk into the local shopping centre to try on some new shoes for school. She feels her heart beating faster. Erratic. Her breathing becomes shallow and quick. She feels light-headed and her throat begins to swell before uncontrollably spiralling into a coughing fit. Trying not to vomit in front of the sales assistant, she can see the confusion in her mother\u2019s face. Sarah\u2019s cheeks flush red as the embarrassment begins to take over. Feelings of guilt, imperfection<\/a> and fear wash over her and settle deep inside her thoughts. \u201cWhy can\u2019t I just be normal, like all the other kids?\u201d she asks herself. Sarah and her mother leave the store without the shoes and she takes it upon herself to write her mum an apology letter as soon as they return home in attempt to rid herself of the overwhelming humiliation she has caused.<\/p>\n

This sequence of events happens again when Sarah goes to the supermarket, to the movies with friends and when she is invited to play in the street with the neighbourhood kids. It happens at every party and social event. Sometimes it even happens at school.<\/p>\n

The truth is, Sarah\u2019s experience was my reality. Now, at 28 years old, I have been battling Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) for more than 20 years. An exhausting cycle which, when at its worst, makes even the most mundane of appointments and daily activities unbearable.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t understand what it was back then and information surrounding social anxiety<\/a> in children wasn\u2019t as readily available nor spoken about, so my parents can be forgiven for not quite understanding it themselves. Thankfully, a lot has changed.<\/p>\n

According to Beyond Blue, it is normal to experience some level of nervousness when we are placed in social situations where we might come under the scrutiny of others. Work presentations or giving a speech at a wedding are examples of this. However, for people who experience SAD, being the focus of other people\u2019s attention can lead to intense anxiety.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey may fear being criticised, embarrassed or humiliated, even in everyday situations. For example, the prospect of eating in front of other people in a restaurant can be daunting for those with social phobia. SAD can be generalised, where people fear a range of different social situations,\u201d defines Beyond Blue.<\/p>\n

Clinical psychologist Catherine Madigan from Anxiety Treatment Australia has substantial experience in the cognitive behavioural treatment of disorders such as SAD and seconds this sentiment. \u201cSome people have generalised social anxiety where they have multiple social fears, but others may just fear one or two scenarios such as public speaking or job interviews,\u201d she says. \u201cSufferers may think they are boring, silly, incompetent, inferior or that others will notice their anxious symptoms and judge them for it. Often they fear their mind will go blank and won\u2019t say the right things.\u201d<\/p>\n

SAD common physical symptoms:<\/strong><\/p>\n