How to Treat Social Anxiety Disorder Naturally

Social anxiety disorder is a mental condition in which sufferers have intense fear of interacting with other people socially. Typically, people with social anxiety disorder feel they are being judged when in social situations, and they believe that they will inevitably embarrass or humiliate themselves. Much more intense than simple shyness, social anxiety disorder is experienced with physiological symptoms of panic in social situations. This condition is most commonly treated with drug therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies, but it can also be treated naturally.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Herbs
• Vitamins

Use Herbs and Vitamins to Treat Social Anxiety Disorder Naturally

1. Drink chamomile tea to help relax and release nervous tension. Chamomile has long been used to soothe anxiety. It can also treat an upset stomach, a common side effect of anxiety.
2. Try passionflower for its anti-depressant properties. A staple in Native-American medicine, passionflower may also be helpful for calming anxiety.
3. Take valerian. Available as over-the-counter dietary supplements, valerian root has been shown to reduce anxiety in many people.
4. Balance your mood with vitamin B. B vitamins help your nervous system fight the type of stress that can intensify feelings of anxiety. An even temper may help you cope with social anxiety more effectively.

Learn Relaxation Techniques to Treat Social Anxiety Disorder Naturally

5. Take up yoga. Yoga teaches you how to relax in and out of class with deep-breathing exercises, traditional poses and mantras. When you feel anxiety coming on, you can do a little yoga to calm you down.
6. Learn to meditate. Meditation is an ancient relaxation method that helps you center yourself and calm your nerves. Meditating throughout the day can help you stay in a relaxed state and prevent anxious episodes.
7. Practice deep breathing to induce calm. Removing yourself from a situation that causes anxiety and taking some time to breathe deeply can help restore you to a more relaxed mood.

Tips & Warnings

• Stick to a healthy schedule of physical activity. Physical activity helps your mood and improves your self-image. The endorphins you get naturally from working out contribute to feelings of well being.
• You can combine natural therapies for social anxiety disorder with drug and cognitive behavioral therapies.
• Consult your physician before beginning any herbal therapies. Some herbs can cause potentially dangerous drug interactions. For example, valerian root can cause serious side effects in some users, including digestive problems, night terrors and headaches.
• Avoid stimulants, like coffee, that hype up your nervous system. Stimulants intensify feelings of anxiety and fear.