Hormone levels in your body can play a role in anxiety.
Some of these hormones are not within your control, but others can be influenced by things like stress.
Changing levels of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone can affect your social anxiety.
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Stress and sex hormones can also have a combined effect on anxiety.
The combined effect of increased cortisol and lowered testosterone may make you more anxious.
Hormones That May Reduce Social Anxiety
If you think hormones are all badthink again!
There are actually some ways in which certain levels of hormones can help to reduce your anxiety.
Oxytocin
You’ve probably heard of the “love” or “bonding” hormone oxytocin.
Its release also helps with childbirth and breastfeeding.
Testosterone boosts the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin.
These two brain chemicals are related to social anxiety disorder.
Vasopressin
Finally, vasopressin is a hormone that regulates the body’s fluid balance.
In addition, it is involved in the regulation of anxiety, stress, and social behavior.
Vasopressin is produced within the hypothalamus and released from the pituitary gland.
What is not helpful isself-medicating.
Below are six tips to get you started.
Boost Testosterone and Oxytocin
you’re able to increase your levels of testosterone and oxytocin naturally!
Talk to your doctor before you try asupplement or herbal remedy for anxiety.
Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Usecognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniquesto learn new patterns of responding to anxiety.
Is Hormone Therapy for Social Anxiety Possible?
In the future, there may be social anxiety treatments available that utilize hormone therapy to relieve anxiety symptoms.
Such treatments are not ready for prime time yet, but studies are ongoing and show signs of promise.
Another study found that administering testosterone along with exposure therapy to women with social anxiety disorder.
Effective treatments such asmedicationandCBTcan be helpful in managing SAD that has gotten out of control.
Rememberyour anxiety does not define you and is not who you are.
you’ve got the option to move past it with the right help.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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