Tips to Beat Social Anxiety During Holiday Shopping

The holiday season is associated with a lot of joy, fun, feasting, outing and shopping. But it is secretly dreaded by some who loathe the very idea of going to crowded shopping places. Such people suffer from what is known as social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is a type of anxiety disorder where the sufferer is paranoid of social situations. This extreme anxiety, which is always unreasonable, is a kind of self-consciousness, which is rooted in the fear of being closely monitored, judged and criticized by others.

However, experts have some tips for such people who may be struggling due to their condition, deprived of the excitement and joy of interacting with others or shopping during the holiday season or for that matter participating in any social occasion.

Here, we look at some of the tips:


Having a plan in place: Experts believe that having a plan in place can help people suffering from social anxiety. When it becomes unavoidable to relegate shopping to a later date, one should plan ahead such as where to go for shopping, the best suitable time, i.e., when the maximum crowd does not turn up and leave before it does. Advance planning can help dissipate a lot of internal anxiety.

Opting for online shopping: A lot of the actual fun of shopping during a festive season gets diluted in online shopping but for those who suffer from social anxiety, it is a big boon. When buying becomes indispensable during such a busy season, online shopping helps by doing away with the hassle of jostling in the crowd at shopping malls and marketplaces.

Choosing the right shopping center: When going out and shopping becomes unavoidable for any reason and doing so online is not an option, the best thing to do is to choose the right shopping mall or market. While the indoor malls are heavily crowded and it gets difficult to push through the crowd, an outside mall, on the other hand, sees lesser footfalls. Thus, they can be a better option for such shoppers who are petrified of moving around in crowded shopping areas. They also provide an opportunity to walk around in the open.

Taking somebody along: This is another pragmatic solution provided by experts to those who have a social anxiety problem. Instead of venturing out alone into a market which is already a place that triggers anxiety, taking along somebody with whom one feels comfortable is a reasonably good idea. It acts as a support system and helps thwart anxiety. It can also be comforting for the person afflicted with anxiety.

Reminding oneself of tips that help in calming: Experts recommend that people who suffer from anxiety develop handy techniques or tips to calm down. This will also help them overcome any tendencies to create anxiety within. Not only that such tips can be a convenient way to deal with anxiety while shopping in crowded places.

Recovery road map
Anxiety disorder is a common mental health problem which affects about 18.1 percent adults in the U.S. Although it is manageable, delaying the treatment could lead to deterioration of symptoms and the patient may end up facing greater hurdles during treatment. Timely treatment is the key to recovery.

If a loved one is suffering from an anxiety problem, contact Sovereign Mental Health Services, a preeminent mental health treatment organization in the U.S., which offers comprehensive treatment for almost every mental health condition. Call at our 24/7 helpline number 866-973-7164 for more information about our anxiety disorders treatment. we have world-class facilities in all major places in the country.


 By Susan Navarez


Article Source: Tips to Beat Social Anxiety During Holiday Shopping