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Shyness and Social Anxiety Treatment Australia: Social anxiety disorder help and psychologists
Shyness and Social Anxiety Treatment Australia: Social anxiety disorder help and psychologists


 
Treatment Options Nutrition and Lifestyle
Individual VS Group Therapy
Nutrition & Lifestyle
Exercise
Medication
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Exposure Therapy
Hypnosis
Slow Breathing
Relaxation

Nutrition & Lifestyle Issues

Social anxiety sufferers are advised to pay attention to dietary and lifestyle factors which can aggravate anxiety (Andrews,Crino, Hunt, Lampe & Page, 1994)

CAFFEINE
Avoid or limit caffeine. Chocolate, some high energy drinks, hot chocolate beverages, coffee, tea & cola drinks all contain caffeine which is a stimulant. which accelerates the fight or flight response. Caffeine can interfere with your sleep and make you more nervous. Switch to decaffeinated coffee, herbal tea and/or de-caffeinated cola drinks or reduce the number of cups of coffee/cola you have.

ALCOHOL
Alcohol can aggravate anxiety. People with social anxiety are often tempted to drink alcohol before and/or during social engagements as it initially decreases their anxiety. However, after alcohol has been in your system for a few hours it acts as a stimulant, making you more likely to hyperventilate and putting you at increased risk of having a panic attack.

SMOKING
Try to quit smoking or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you have. Nictotine, like caffeine, is a stimulant which accelerates the fight or flight response..Unfortunately, many social anxious people smoke before or during social events and this will only increase your anxiety. A mental health practitioner can assist you to cease smoking and information on how to stop smoking is available from QUIT.

SLEEP
Try to get a good night’s sleep. Being overly tired can make you more anxious and increase the likelihood of you having a panic attack.See SLEEP

SUPPRESSING ANGER
Endeavour to express your anger (1) in an assertive way and (2) as soon as possible after a negative event as pent up anger increases your level of stress(Andrews et al,1994).

RECREATIONAL DRUGS
Cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines can increase anxiety levels and lead to users having panic attacks (Burns,1999).



Andrews, G., Crino, R., Hunt,C., Lampe,L. & Page, A. (1994). The Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. Cambridge, England. Cambridge University Press.

Burns,D.D. (1999). The Feeling Good Handbook. New York. New York. Plume.

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