Sunderland 
How Can BOTOX Can Relieve The Symptoms Of Social Anxiety
For those that suffer from social anxiety, blush or feel shy when in a wide variety of stressful or public situations (or even just when you’re stuck in the lift with a group of strangers anxiously willing the floors to speed up), there could be help on the horizon.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) is calling for a wake-up plan to aid those people who are thought to number in their millions, to be able to cope with the problem of “Social Anxiety Disorder”. The symptoms of this can range from blushing and a dry mouth, to stammering and a lack of eye contact, to name but a few, and I’m sure that we’ve all been there even if it’s just been a first awkward date.
A staggering one in eight or approximately twelve per cent of us suffer from or have suffered at one time or another with social awkwardness and NICE is actively studying if the NHS should fund treatments (ranging from antidepressants to radical surgical procedures to help reduce the symptoms). The feelings can be so debilitating that long-term treatments using drugs such as Botox to limit the amount visible ´blushing ‘may be required for a better overall physical and mental health.
The draft study suggests there is a list of standard anxiety situations that sufferers experience; such as meeting people, making speeches, attending parties and functions right through to talking to figures in authority. But, of greater concern is that some psychiatrists are viewing several common fears as medically treatable. It seems to be that “some people can cope extremely well for instance at public speaking, but it seems damaging that to label these people as having a medical disorder “ said Dr Moncrieff, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer at London´s University College.
A whole raft of treatment proposals will be studied alongside anti-depressant drugs and possible surgeries for facial blushing and Botox treatments - involving under the arm injections to reduce sweating which is all aimed to be given a due consideration. Although thought of as controversial treatments, Dr Tim Kendall, a Consultant Psychiatrist with Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust comes out broadly in favour of these proposals ”for people suffering health problems through anxiety disorders it isn’t just about common shyness, it´s about stopping people establishing relationships and endangering livelihoods to the detriment of their health.
What is really important is the criteria that are used to define this type of disorder and the type of people that it will encompass.” NICE will press on with all associated research regardless and hope to reveal their findings within the next 18 months.