Lesson: Managing Social Anxiety Disorder at work

Managing Social Anxiety Disorder in the workplace can be very difficult. It is a condition that affects millions of people across the world, making it the fifth leading mental health problem. Although this condition can make you feel completely overwhelmed, it doesn't have to. There are a number of effective solutions that can help you manage your SAD in the workplace.

Overview. Social anxiety symptoms & diagnosis. Causes.

Treating Social Anxiety Disorder at work includes recognizing the impact of the condition on your job and finding solutions to your problems. Your job description can make it difficult to control your anxiety in certain situations. For example, if you are an administrative assistant or receptionist, the constant need to be around people may cause you to have anxiety attacks. You need to figure out what role you play in your employer's business, as well as any specific stressful situations that happen to you throughout the course of the day.

By observing the behaviors that trigger your anxiety, it can be easier to identify the specific stressful events. For example, if you are nervous when handling a large amount of paperwork in a public setting, you can identify these situations by doing some research about the type of office environment that makes you nervous. Once you know what causes your anxiety, you can begin to avoid these circumstances in the future.

Managing Social Anxiety Disorder at work also involves recognizing how social anxiety affects your performance. Since most symptoms of SAD include a feeling of uneasiness or fear, you will find yourself not being able to focus on routine tasks or completing tasks without experiencing nervousness or panic. When your nervousness escalates and takes over, you might also experience excessive sweating, shaking, trembling, difficulty breathing, or a racing heartbeat. When you are facing an on-the-job situation, such as presenting a proposal or job interview, you need to take time to prepare for the interaction.

Effective ways of managing your condition in the workplace involve recognizing when you need to relax and what will help. alleviate your symptoms. One way to do this is to try to do some deep breathing exercises or meditation. If you find yourself becoming anxious due to too much scrutiny or criticism, you can find creative outlets for your anxieties through art, theater, or music.

One other issue that might affect you is your relationship with other co-workers. If they are constantly criticizing you or making comments about you, it may be helpful to consider joining an organization where people of like-minded interest are working together. Group activities such as social networking can be good tools for you to help you manage your anxiety. However, you might want to consider working with co-workers who are highly professional and who appreciate you as a coworker and employee. This type of arrangement may reduce your anxiety, which could lead to greater success.

Managing Social Anxiety Disorder at work is a challenge, but it can be done if you learn to identify the source of your anxiety and work toward effective solutions. You can do your part by taking advantage of therapy or self-help programs available. and seeking help from professionals, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, therapist, psychologist or other trained professional.

Many employers, including small businesses, find it difficult to provide their employees with adequate assistance for managing social anxiety disorder at work. While many of these employers have policies in place that require employees to take medication for their conditions, some of them simply do not have the budget for these services. If your employer does not provide adequate training or resources to employees with this condition, you might find it difficult to effectively treat your social anxiety.

Effective ways of managing your condition can also involve finding a support system that understands your concerns. This may include your supervisor or your doctor. There may also be other people in your workplace that you can talk with who are similar to you in your concerns and problems, such as a counselor, therapist, or your supervisor's supervisor. If you have any friends or family members that also suffer from this condition, they may be able to give you advice on effective approaches to managing your condition.

Managing social anxiety at work also involves learning to acknowledge the conditions that you have and how they can affect your performance. If you are concerned about how your colleagues or co-workers might view your symptoms, you can begin by acknowledging them in a positive and supportive manner and then sharing that information with them. When you know how social anxiety affects your life and how it affects your performance, you can begin to create a support network of others with whom you can discuss these issues.