What is shyness?

Shyness is a normal emotion that most people experience at some point in their lives. It is a feeling of discomfort or nervousness that can occur when you are around new people or in unfamiliar social situations. Being shy can cause a person to feel self-conscious, worry about being judged by others, or have difficulty making small talk.

While shyness can be uncomfortable, it is usually not severe enough to disrupt your daily life or cause significant distress. Shyness is often a temporary response and people who are shy often tend to adapt and become more comfortable in social situations with time.

What is social anxiety disorder?

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder that involves a fear of being judged or evaluated negatively by others in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder may feel excessively self-conscious and worry that they will do or say something embarrassing or foolish.

Unlike shyness, social anxiety disorder is more than just feeling uncomfortable in social situations. It is a persistent and excessive fear of social interactions – one that can significantly lower the quality of life. People with social anxiety disorder may avoid social situations altogether or endure them with great distress.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder may include:

• Intense fear of being judged or evaluated by others
• Worrying excessively about social situations in advance
• Difficulty making small talk or starting conversations
• Difficulty making eye contact or feeling self-conscious about your appearance
• Avoiding social activities or events
• Physical symptoms such as sweating, racing heart, or difficulty speaking in social situations
• Experiencing extreme physical reactions like sweating, palpitations, shaking, rapid breathing, or panic attacks in social situations

Differences between shyness and social anxiety disorder

Shyness and social anxiety disorder can both involve feelings of discomfort or nervousness in social situations, but there are some key differences to consider:

• Severity: Shyness is generally less intense and less disruptive to daily life than social anxiety disorder. While shyness may be uncomfortable, it does not typically cause significant distress or interfere with daily activities. On the other hand, social anxiety disorder is a debilitating disorder and can significantly impair daily life.
• Duration: Shyness is often temporary, and most shy people will eventually ease into social situations given time. On the contrary, social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental illness that requires ongoing treatment and support.
• Need for treatment: Being shy is not an illness and does not significantly disrupt their daily lives, and most people don’t need any treatment. Social anxiety disorder, on the other hand, is a deep-rooted psychological disorder that requires professional treatment to keep the symptoms in check.

When to get help

If you regularly experience an intense, crippling fear of social situations, it may be helpful to seek support or treatment. A mental health professional can help you determine whether you have social anxiety disorder and recommend treatment options.

Treatment for social anxiety disorder may include therapy, medication – or a combination of both. Therapy can help you identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors that contribute to your social anxiety, while medications help reduce feelings of anxiety or take the “edge off.”

The Takeaway

Looking for a ketamine study bay area? Although the distinction between shyness and social anxiety disorder can be subtle, it is important to understand the difference between the two and know when to seek professional help.

Remember, there is no shame in seeking help if your social anxiety is interfering with your daily life. With the right treatment, many people with social anxiety disorder can lead fulfilling lives.

Reviewed by Dr. Sara Herman

Medical Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine therapy should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed medical provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. Off-label treatments like IV ketamine for mental health conditions carry risks that should be discussed thoroughly with a qualified provider before beginning. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.

The post Am I Shy Or Do I Have Social Anxiety? appeared first on Soft Reboot Wellness.

What is Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is discomfort that lingers for more than three months. It can be pervasive, or it may start and stop. Chronic pain can occur anywhere on your person.

“Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as working, having a social life, and taking care of yourself or others. It can lead to depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping, which can make your pain worse. This response creates a cycle that’s difficult to break.”

Types of Chronic Pain

If you suffer from symptoms of chronic pain, some of them can be managed with ketamine. They include headaches, postsurgical pain, pain after trauma, low back pain, pain from cancer, arthritis pain, pain resulting from nerve damage, and pain not derived from disease, injury, or nerve impairment.

According to some estimates, more than 1.5 billion people globally experience chronic pain. It’s the most widespread reason for long-term disability in America, harming about 100 million citizens.

How Do You Manage Chronic Pain?

Some people manage chronic pain in a variety of ways, some recognized by science, some not at all. But before you attempt to manage chronic pain, you need to know the symptoms. Common symptoms of chronic pain may include moderate to very severe pain which doesn’t go away as you’d expect following an illness or injury. Everyone has a different experience with pain, and different thresholds, but chronic pain is often described as:

• a dull ache
• soreness
• rigidity
• stinging
• squeezing
• pulsing
• burning
• shooting

What Causes Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain may be caused by injury, illness, psychological trauma, or something else not easily identified. There also could be an underlying health issue, such as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome, where you experience oftentimes intense, protracted tiredness that’s often escorted by pain
• Endometriosis, which is an excruciating condition that happens if the uterine lining develops outside the uterus
• Fibromyalgia, which is pervasive discomfort within your bones and muscles
• Inflammatory bowel disease, a set of conditions that results in painful, chronic swelling in a person’s digestive tract
• A chronic disorder (interstitial cystitis) characterized by bladder pressure and discomfort
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, where a person suffers from uncomfortable clicking, popping, or jaw locking 
• Chronic vulva pain which happens but as no precise cause

Are There Pain Management Techniques?

Yes, some of which people have used successfully for years to control their chronic pain symptoms. Here are some things to try as needed.

• Try whole-body stretches, soothing yoga, or tai chi in 10 to 15 minute stretches each day.
• Follow an activity plan recommended by your healthcare provider to strengthen muscles, better your mood, and take your mind off the pain. 
• Try passive or progressive muscle relaxation, relaxed breathing, or mindfulness. 
• Engage in regular planning by balancing daily tasks, leisure, and other duties to foster structure and routine. Be sure to take regular breaks. 
• Find out what else may worsen the pain. It may be beneficial to treat anxiety and depression to minimize pain and boost your quality of life. Talk with a doctor or therapist if you notice signs of anxiety or depression. 
• Stay positive and do the things you enjoy, which may take some effort. Finding enjoyable activities has been known to reduce the impacts of pain indicators in the body.
• Spending time with loved ones and friends in person or remotely can lessen your focus on pain. 
• Try and get a good night’s sleep.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To effectively manage chronic pain, a key step is diagnosis. During your doctor’s appointment, you’ll discuss your pain experience, including frequency, intensity, and any known triggers. Diagnostic tests like blood tests, bone tests, and x-rays may be recommended. Depending on the results, a psychiatric evaluation might be suggested. At Resilience Integrative Wellness in the Bay Area, we offer personalized treatment for chronic pain, drawing from the latest research, including ketamine studies.

Upon diagnosis, your healthcare provider could recommend ketamine, but most likely store-bought pain relievers, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes.

Final Thoughts

Chronic pain can be confusing and, sometimes, even depressing. By its very nature, it’s mysterious and lingering, but it also can result in other physical and psychological issues that may need treatment. If you suffer from chronic pain symptoms, talk to a doctor for helpful advice or look online.

Reviewed by Dr. Sara Herman

Medical Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine therapy should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed medical provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. Off-label treatments like IV ketamine for mental health conditions carry risks that should be discussed thoroughly with a qualified provider before beginning. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.

The post How Do You Manage Chronic Pain? appeared first on Soft Reboot Wellness.