Coping with Social Anxiety Disorder

Personal stories about social anxiety are powerful tools for sharing experiences and finding out that you are not alone. Below is a list of "reader respond" articles about different topics related to social anxiety. This is your chance to share your thoughts and read what others have to say.

A person with SAD can sometimes be the target of unwelcome comments. Here are the ten worst things that you can say to someone with SAD.

Phone phobia is the fear of making or receiving telephone calls. This problem can interfere with daily functioning in your personal and professional lives if not treated.

Phone fear that is a true phobia can be treated using CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring and exposure training. Coping strategies are also helpful to manage this fear.

Fear of eating in front of others is common among those with social anxiety disorder. Learn more about this type of anxiety and how it is treated.

Exposure therapy for the fear of eating in front of others is one method that you can use on your own to overcome your phobia. Learn how to carry out the steps of exposure therapy in a self-help model for this fear.

Social anxiety forums are places where those with social anxiety disorder can openly discuss issues and questions. Popular forums are a great place to connect with those who may have problems similar to yours. In addition, forums can be a place to learn from the experiences of others. Take a look around each of these forums and you will see that the social anxiety supportive community is alive, v…

Avoidance behaviors are things that a person with an anxiety disorder does to cope with feared situations.

Paruresis, also known as shy bladder, can be improved through the use of self-help strategies for exposure. Learn more about how to enlist the help of a partner to gradually overcome your fear.

Relaxation techniques can be helpful in coping with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Techniques, such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, autogenic training (similar to meditation) and guided imagery, can be learned and practiced on your own or used as a part of a formal treatment program for SAD.

Autogenic training is a form of relaxation training similar to the meditation that induces relaxation by influencing the autonomic nervous system. The technique involves a set of self-statements about the body and is used for reducing anxiety and improving other conditions.

Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that focuses on visualization. By visualizing images of a serene and relaxing environment, the body, in turn, enters a relaxed state. Guided imagery is often used in combination with other relaxation techniques as part of treatment for anxiety disorders.

Deep breathing, or diaphragmatic breathing, is the practice of inhaling using the diaphragm rather than taking shallow breaths in the chest. Learn how to use diaphragmatic breathing for reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a method of reducing anxiety through alternating tension and relaxation in the muscles. When practiced regularly and used in conjunction with behavioral therapy techniques, PMR can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.

Do holiday parties and family gatherings fill you with anxiety? Are you feeling particularly lonely during the festive season? For people with social anxiety disorder (SAD), the holidays can be a stressful time of year. Here are some tips to help manage social anxiety during the holidays.

Living with Social Anxiety Disorder can be an ongoing challenge. Here are some tips to help you cope.

Learn about where to go for help and what to ask the mental health professional once you get there.

Teaching students with SAD requires sensitivity to the special needs of students who suffer with anxiety in the classroom. Here are some tips for teachers who are faced with the challenge of teaching students with SAD.

Preparing your child with SAD for school involves being available to discuss feelings, being a good role model, and communicating with your child's teacher. Here are some tips to help prepare your socially anxious child for school.

Khalil Greene is a shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals who was placed on the disabled list in 2009 because of social anxiety disorder. Jamie Blyth was a contestant on the first season of the reality television show "The Bachelorette". Although not revealed at the time, Jamie was fighting a battle with social anxiety disorder.

In this interview with Jamie Blyth we talk about how he overcame panic and social anxiety disorder and his advice for others.

Write your own review of books about social anxiety disorder.

Users provide reviews of the best and worst self-help programs for social anxiety disorder.

Test anxiety symptoms include a range of physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms that interfere with test performance.

Test anxiety is a type of social anxiety in which fear about scrutiny by parents, teachers, and professors interferes with your ability to perform well in an exam situation. If you suffer from test anxiety, there are a number of coping strategies that you can employ. Below are ten tips to help you cope.

Being alone at Christmas is difficult, particularly if you have social anxiety disorder (SAD) and want to be with others but are too afraid. Here are some tips to help cope with being alone at Christmas.

Beat Social Phobia with Andrew Johnson is a guided audio program compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Read the review of this app and submit your own review.

New Year's resolutions for social anxiety disorder sufferers may include everything from improving your social skills to vowing to take on more challenges. As the year draws to a close, many of you will be thinking about positive changes that you can make. Here is a list of ten resolutions that may help you better manage social anxiety in the...

If you are alone on Valentine's Day and you suffer with social anxiety disorder, you may find it difficult to cope. Here are some tips to help you get through the day.

Thanksgiving can be a lonely time of year if you have no one to celebrate with. Here are some tips to cope if you find yourself alone at Thanksgiving.

Halloween is one night of the year that you get the chance to be someone else. Take the opportunity to get dressed up and try out a different personality with this list of costumes ideal for those with social anxiety.

Halloween night can be stressful for those with social anxiety disorder. Here are some tips to help you cope with handing out candies to trick-or-treaters.

This is what a day in the life of someone with social anxiety disorder (SAD) might look like.

A story about performance anxiety from the About.com Guide to social anxiety disorder.

If you suffer with social anxiety there are probably some things that you do that do not help to improve your situation. Here are 10 things to stop doing to yourself if you have SAD.

New Year's Eve is a time of year most people spend celebrating with loved ones. At the same time, many people find themselves alone on the last day of the year. Here are some tips to cope with being alone on New Year's Eve.