What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
SAD (sometimes also called “social phobia”) is considered an anxiety disorder.
In these situations, you come into contact with unfamiliar people or experience the possibility of scrutiny by others.
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If you have to be in those situations, you do so with high levels of anxiety and distress.
These symptoms interfere considerably with many aspects of your life (work, relationships, etc.)
This percentage is variable because it depends on the group of people a study is examining.
Why Are PTSD and SAD Related?
A number of theories have been proposed to explain why PTSD and SAD are related.
All of this may feed the development of SAD.
Finally, there is evidence that SAD among people with PTSD stems from depression.
Further studies will hopefully help experts tease apart the precise relationship between PTSD and SAD.
Getting Help
If you have PTSD and SAD, it is important to seek help.
Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for SAD.
In addition, there aretreatments for PTSDthat have been shown to be successful in reducing symptoms.
By getting treatment for PTSD, you may also notice that your symptoms of SAD are lower as well.
2010 Nov;27(11):1017-26.
