"Exploring SAD Through a Real-Life Case Study"
An individual with social anxiety disorder, sometimes known as SAD, has extreme fear or anxiety in social settings. People who have SAD may avoid social situations or encounters because they make them anxious. Their capacity to establish and sustain relationships, their performance at work, and their academic standing may all be adversely affected.Let’s look at a case study to learn more about how SAD might impact someone’s life.
Case Study.
Meet Maria. She is a graphic designer for a small advertising firm and is 25 years old. Maria has struggled with social anxiety for a number of years, but during the past six months, she has found it more and more difficult to manage.
Symptoms.
In social events, notably meetings and presentations at work, Maria feels extreme fear and anxiety. She is concerned that people will view her adversely and criticize her work. She consequently frequently refrains from speaking up in meetings or submitting ideas out of fear of being disparaged or criticized. Due to her anxiousness, Maria also stays away from social gatherings that don’t involve business, such parties and networking events.
Maria has discovered that her social anxiety affects how well she can do her job. She has trouble working with her coworkers and struggles to finish projects on time. She also frequently misses deadlines.
Diagnosis.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) states that Maria’s symptoms meet the criteria for social anxiety disorder. Specific criteria for diagnosing SAD are listed in the DSM-5, including:
marked and ongoing apprehension or worry about one or more social situations.
The level of fear or anxiety is excessive compared to the actual threat that the social context presents.
Fear or anxiety nearly usually arise in social circumstances.
The anxiety or fear lasts for at least six months and is persistent.
Significant suffering or functional impairment in social, professional, or other areas of functioning are brought on by the fear or worry.
Treatment.
A certified mental health practitioner who treated Maria suggested a course of counseling and medication.
Maria started going to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, which is a typical treatment for SAD. The main goal of CBT is to alter the unfavorable attitudes and conduct that fuel worry. Maria acquired coping mechanisms for her anxiety in treatment, including deep breathing exercises and reframing unfavorable thoughts.
To help Maria manage her symptoms, Maria’s therapist also recommended medication, which included an antidepressant. By controlling the brain chemicals that regulate anxiety and mood, antidepressants can be used to treat anxiety.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561
Progress.
Maria found a marked improvement in her symptoms over time. She was able to participate in meetings at work with increased assurance and even started expressing her ideas and opinions. In addition, Maria went to social gatherings she had previously shunned. She claimed that she was more at ease and at ease in social settings.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness
Conclusion.
A person’s quality of life may be negatively impacted by social anxiety disorder, which can be a crippling condition. However, with the right care, people with SAD can learn to control their anxiety and enhance their capacity for social interaction. Seek expert assistance if you or someone you love is dealing with social anxiety to start the road to recovery..https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder
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