Anxiety is a broad term that covers a range of underlying disorders.
Everyone can feel worried and anxious from time to time, often as a response to stressful life events. However, if you struggle with an anxiety disorder, these emotions can be especially intense. They might prevent you from functioning effectively and can have a negative impact on your health and well-being.
Usually, when the individual is in a busy place they are not affected as long they are unnoticed and anonymous, it is when they feel the spotlight is on them.
The essence of social phobia is a belief that you are fundamentally flawed. The roots are in shame, not feeling good enough, and that you automatically will be judged and ridiculed.
It stems from childhood, overly critical parents/guardians directly or indirectly making you not feel good enough or useful, also bullying, and any adversely negative & punitive social attention.
The treatment which we assist & support you with is two fold-
- Allow yourself to feel the fear – an individual with a fear of spiders will never cure their phobia without ever being in the room with a spider. While in a social situation also you have to find your inner courage do not try to be self-critical and look people in the eye.
- Through counselling/therapy and finding out about yourself your connection to yourself has to be healed & the connection you have with others.
Panic attacks
Panic attacks usually stem from avoided stress. The nervous system can feel overwhelmingly under threat releasing high levels of adrenaline and the individual becoming hyper-vigilant. This can lead to increased heart rate, erratic blood pressure, trouble with breathing, sweating, and paranoia.
The sufferer can have an overwhelming feeling of “looking stupid in public” & will avoid public places & social events.
In a lot of cases, people who suffer from panic attacks were ridiculed, bullied, or have childhood trauma but that is not necessarily always the case. Recent as well as historic stresses can be the cause.
The important thing with panic attacks is to seek help and find the cause of your stress overload.
Other anxiety disorders include;
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Separation anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias
Isolation
Isolation is a common problem in the modern era, for many different reasons. Humans are social creatures who crave connection and to live in isolation is by our nature alien and can cause severe mental health decline. Starved of human contact and confined to an inside living space can cause a rapid sense of detachment, lack of connection, low mood & the onset of depression and anxiety. Sometimes the solution can just be a healthy social environment with healthy social connections and exercise is also highly beneficial. We can offer many healthy social projects throughout the week and can also signpost to other partner organizations who offer similar enterprises depending on geographical location.