Getting Help for Social Anxiety Disorder at College

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsYou Are Not AloneUnderstanding Social Anxiety DisorderHow to Get HelpCoping With SAD at CollegeClass PresentationsPositive Lifestyle Coping Strategies

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

You Are Not Alone

Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

How to Get Help

Coping With SAD at College

Class Presentations

Positive Lifestyle Coping Strategies

Close

If you are struggling withsocial anxiety disorder (SAD)at college, it can be difficult to manage the everyday aspects of being a student, such as making new friends and attending classes.

If you have lived with anxiety for a long time, it may be hard to understand that your symptoms are a diagnosable illness that can be treated. If you have not already been diagnosed, a good place to start is to read about thesymptoms of SADand criteria fordiagnosis.

How Having SAD May Affect You in CollegeFrom approaching professors to making new friends and initiating romantic relationships, much of campus life is social. If your SAD is left untreated, all aspects of your college experience may be affected.Academics: You may find it hard to participate in class, ask questions, get help with homework, join study groups, give presentations, and approach professors.Social activities: You may be less likely to participate in clubs and sports, to initiate friendships or romantic relationships, and to stand up for yourself in difficult situations.Alcohol abuse: Students with severe social anxiety are at increased risk of problem drinking if alcohol is used as a coping strategy.

How Having SAD May Affect You in College

From approaching professors to making new friends and initiating romantic relationships, much of campus life is social. If your SAD is left untreated, all aspects of your college experience may be affected.Academics: You may find it hard to participate in class, ask questions, get help with homework, join study groups, give presentations, and approach professors.Social activities: You may be less likely to participate in clubs and sports, to initiate friendships or romantic relationships, and to stand up for yourself in difficult situations.Alcohol abuse: Students with severe social anxiety are at increased risk of problem drinking if alcohol is used as a coping strategy.

From approaching professors to making new friends and initiating romantic relationships, much of campus life is social. If your SAD is left untreated, all aspects of your college experience may be affected.

SAD is ahighly treatabledisorder with medication and/or therapy. Receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment is important in managing this illness. The first line of treatment is usuallymedicationand/orcognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

As a student, you may have access to an on-campus mental health center. Often, these will be staffed with therapists, psychologists, or student interns, and will offer a variety of services such as individual and group therapy. Therapy is usually short-term and may be free or available for a fee.

If your college or university does not have a mental health center, look for a medical center either on campus or in the community and ask for a referral to a mental health professional.

Another alternative is to investigate whether the psychology department at your school offers counseling as part of ongoing research studies. Often, these types of studies are posted on the departments' websites. Participation is generally anonymous and they will assess your symptoms to ensure that the treatment is appropriate for your situation.

The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

As a college or university student, you can do additional things on your own while receiving treatment. Think about using these strategies as you progress through treatment and begin to feel more comfortable in social situations.

Building Friendships

How to Make Friends When You Have SAD

Body Language and Speech

Conversation Topics

Most people get butterflies before speaking in front of a group. However, the initial nervousness usually subsides as they begin speaking and become involved in their topic and with the audience. The opposite tends to happen to people who have SAD. They remain nervous during their speech and became focused on their own anxiety symptoms such as a quivering voice, dry mouth, blushing, rapid heartbeat, and feelings of dread and panic.

You will probably at some point be required to give a presentation. If you suffer from severe performance anxiety,behavioral therapysuch as systemic desensitization can be helpful.

You can also do several things on your own to help lessen the impact of your anxiety:

How to Manage Public Speaking Anxiety

Some positive coping strategies that you can start using today include:

Exercise

Regular exercise is good for maintaining both a healthy mind and body. Choose an activity that you will stick with and enjoy. Go for a walk or jog, try out that new yoga video or just play some frisbee!

Your college or university may even offer on-campus facilities or exercise classes—with the added bonus of the chance to make some new friends.

Proper Nutrition

The typical student diet can wreak havoc on your health. Try to eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day, and avoid caffeine and sugar when possible as these may aggravate anxiety.

Diet and Exercise for Reducing Anxiety

A Word From Verywell

As a student with social anxiety disorder, you will face more challenges at college or university. However, with proper diagnosis, treatment, and coping strategies, your odds of having a fulfilling experience are very high. Remember to take every day as it comes, be mindful of your anxious thoughts, and focus on your goals both in terms of your education, making friends, and growing as an individual.

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SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.College Students.University of Texas at Dallas. Self-Help: Overcoming Social Anxiety Disorder.

Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.College Students.University of Texas at Dallas. Self-Help: Overcoming Social Anxiety Disorder.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.College Students.University of Texas at Dallas. Self-Help: Overcoming Social Anxiety Disorder.

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