SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER KEEPS MILLIONS
FROM HAVING FULFILLING RELATIONSHIPS
~ Anxiety Disorders
Association of America releases a new survey on the
debilitating effects of untreated social anxiety disorder
~
April 2008
Silver Spring, MD - According
to a new survey commissioned by the Anxiety Disorders
Association of America (ADAA) and conducted by Harris
Interactive, social anxiety disorder can wreak havoc
on the social and romantic lives of 15 million Americans,
leaving them isolated, ashamed and in some cases, misdiagnosed.
One of the most troubling findings is that 36% of people
with the disorder, which is also known as social phobia,
report experiencing symptoms for 10 or more years before
seeking help.
Social anxiety disorder is
an intense, persistent fear of social or performance
situations that can cause people to avoid situations
or people for fear of humiliating or embarrassing themselves.
In some cases, people with social phobia have excessive,
irrational fear of seemingly routine situations, according
to the National Institute of Mental Health. In addition
they often suffer many serious physical problems, including
heart palpitations, fear that their throat will close
up, profuse sweating, blushing, faintness, trembling,
and stammering.
The study also found that:
-
35% said
their disorder caused them to avoid intimacy altogether;
-
24% said
they felt their disorder caused their significant
other to not respect them and;
-
55%
of the respondents have no close friends.
Fortunately many forms of
treatment are available, such as behavior therapy, relaxation
techniques, and medication.
Jerilyn Ross is the President
and CEO of Anxiety Disorders Association of America
and one of the nation's leading experts on anxiety disorders.
She is a psychotherapist, patient advocate, author,
and director of the Ross Center for Anxiety and Related
Disorders in Washington DC.
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