At the same time, people with SAD may face specific problems in the workplace, including the inability to network effectively, fear of attending business social events, problems developing relationships with coworkers, lack of self-confidence, and difficulty speaking up in meetings. Bernardo Carducci, PhD, a psychology professor at Indiana University, head of the Shyness Research Institute, and author of Shyness: A Bold New Approach and The Pocket Guide to Making Successful Small Talk, argues that when shyness is properly managed, there is no limit to the achievement of shy people in the business world....

Uses Naltrexone does not treat alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms, but can help people who’ve already stopped using remain drug- or alcohol-free. For people who’ve stopped drinking, naltrexone reduces the craving for alcohol that many alcohol-dependent people experience when they quit drinking. It’s not fully understood how the drug reduces the craving for alcohol, but some scientists believe it works by decreasing the reinforcing effects of alcohol in certain neural pathways in the brain....

Role of Negative Thoughts Social anxiety has been shown to be related to increased negative thinking. Within cognitive behavioral therapy, it is believed that what you think can influence what you feel and do. For instance, if you experience negative automatic thoughts like “I’m stupid” or “They’ll make fun of me” when about to give a presentation, anxiety, and fear occurs. The negative thoughts can be overwhelming and dominate how you think and act....

The nicotine patch was approved by the FDA in 1991. From 1992 to 1996, the patch was available in the U.S. by prescription only. Since 1996, it has been available over the counter (without a prescription). Other forms of medicinal nicotine products include gum, lozenges, inhalers, and a spray. This article discusses the efficacy of nicotine patch use and some of its benefits. It also covers some of the side effects you might experience and other things to consider when using the nicotine patch....

One of the groups of problem drinkers that are difficult to successfully treat is those known as early-onset alcoholics—those who develop alcohol use disorders before reaching age 25. This group is believed to have a biological predisposition toward alcoholism, with a strong family history of alcoholism. Early-onset alcoholics are generally resistant to behavioral therapies alone, possibly because they have an imbalance between two chemical “messengers” in the brain, serotonin, and dopamine....

Medications for panic disorder are typically from one of two categories: antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. This article discusses how medications are used to treat panic disorder and which medications are most often prescribed. It also covers some of the other treatment options that may be effective for panic symptoms. Panic Disorder Treatment Treatment for panic disorder may involve medication in addition to psychotherapy. In some cases, more than one medication may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of panic and anxiety....

One 2016 study reported that there were 1,247,000 anxiety-related ER visits annually. Unfortunately, panic disorder is often misdiagnosed in emergency rooms due to the complexity of the condition, the wide range of symptoms, and the similarity to other illnesses. Empower yourself by knowing these common physical symptoms and co-occurring conditions associated with panic disorder and anxiety. Muscle Tension and Pain Experiencing frequent feelings of fear, worry, and anxiety can impact the body by contributing to muscle pain and tightness....

Research has found that positive thinking can aid in stress management and even plays an important role in your overall health and well-being. It can help combat feelings of low self-esteem, improve physical health, and help brighten your overall outlook on life. This article discusses what positive thinking is and the health benefits of being positive. It also explores some of the strategies you can use to become a more positive thinker....

Too many thoughts and possibilities can also cause you to become derailed so the original issue may even get lost. This can certainly create even more feelings of self-doubt in your ability to solve the problem at hand successfully. Sometimes individuals with ADHD have a difficult time drawing from past experiences and this can make problem-solving more difficult, too. For other adults with ADHD, an impulsive and unplanned reaction that ends up being regretted later may occur....

By improving this understanding, people can then make better choices about their lives. They can also work on improving their relationships with other people and work toward achieving the goals that will bring them greater happiness and satisfaction. Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in psychoanalytic theory but is often a less intensive and lengthy process than traditional psychoanalysis. While psychoanalysis tends to focus a great deal on the patient and therapist relationship, psychodynamic therapy also places a great deal of emphasis on a patient’s relationships with other people in the outside world....

What Is Psychopathology? How do we currently define psychopathology? In short, this discipline can be understood as an in-depth study of problems related to mental health. Just like pathology is the study of the nature of disease (including causes, development, and outcomes), psychopathology is the study of the same concepts within the realm of mental health (or illness). In this way, psychopathology is all about exploring problems related to mental health: how to understand them, how to classify them, and how to fix them....

The major conflict at this stage of life centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success at this stage leads to fulfilling relationships. Struggling at this stage, on the other hand, can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation. What Is Intimacy? Erikson believed that it was vital to develop close, committed relationships with other people. As people enter adulthood, these emotionally intimate relationships play a critical role in a person’s emotional well-being....

Women have traditionally been excluded from PTSD research, due to the usual focus on the mental health of veterans, which makes the results of this long-term study even more important. The results of this research also highlight the need for further investigation into the connection between mental and physical health. What Did the Study Show? The study compiled data based on 51,602 cisgender women between the ages of 43-64 and followed up with participants for nine years (2008-2017), covering those with reported high PTSD symptoms and depression....

Psychological disorders can be complex and difficult to accurately diagnose, but many insurance companies require an immediate diagnosis to pay for treatment. However, after receiving an initial diagnosis from a physician, it’s important to verify that you, in fact, are suffering from this condition. There are many cases of misdiagnosis, especially in the mental health field where one disorder or phobia can have very similar symptoms and causes. A very basic example of misdiagnosis would be a doctor saying you have the flu, when in fact, you only have a viral infection....

Around 9.1% of adolescents experience social anxiety disorder at some point before the age of 18. Selective mutism is less common, affecting around 1% of children. Studies suggest that nearly 40% of children with selective mutism also have social anxiety disorder. Learn more about the differences between selective mutism and social anxiety disorder. Talk to your child’s doctor if you think your child might have one or both conditions....