In modern society, we often encounter people who show difficulties in interpersonal communication. They may appear introverted, shy, or avoid contact with others. In this context, we often hear the terms "autism" and "social phobia". But what exactly is the difference between the two? And how do you distinguish that?
First, let's be clear: autism and social phobia are not the same disorder. Autism, also known as autism, is a complex neurobiological disorder that usually begins in early childhood and affects an individual's social interaction, communication skills, and behavioral performance. Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is a mood disorder that manifests as feeling intensely uneasy, fearful, or anxious in social situations.
So, how do you tell the difference between the two?
1.Symptom presentation: People with autism often show significant impairments in social interactions, they may have difficulty establishing eye contact with others, lack the ability to share emotions and interests, and appear indifferent to the emotional responses of others. People with social phobia, on the other hand, are anxious, restless, and fearful in social situations, and they often have a strong fear of being evaluated or rejected by others.
2.Age of onset: People with autism usually show symptoms in early childhood, while people with social phobia may not develop symptoms until they become apparent in adolescence or adulthood.
3.Duration: Symptoms in people with autism are often persistent, affecting their daily life and social functioning. Whereas, the symptoms of people with social phobia may worsen in some cases, but they may not be noticeable in others.
4.Accompanying symptoms: People with autism may have other symptoms such as intellectual disability, language delay, stereotyped behavior, etc. Patients with social phobia may have other anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.
In addition to the above points, we also need to note that both autistic and social phobia can be isolated and misunderstood because of their symptoms. Therefore, we should give more understanding and support to these people to help them overcome difficulties and integrate into society.
When differentiating between autism and social phobia, we need to consider factors such as the patient's symptom presentation, age of onset, duration, and accompanying symptoms. At the same time, we also need to recognize that both diseases need to be professionally diagnosed and **. Therefore, if you or someone close to you has similar symptoms, it is advisable to seek help from a medical professional in a timely manner.
For people with autism, the goal is usually to help them improve their social skills, communication skills, and self-care skills. Methods include behavioral, verbal, psychological, etc. At the same time, the involvement and support of family members is also very important. They need to learn how to communicate effectively with people with autism and how to help them adapt to their daily lives.
For people with social phobia, the main goal is to reduce their anxiety and phobia symptoms and help them better adapt to social situations. Methods include cognitive-behavioral, psychoeducational, drugging, etc. In addition, patients can also improve their symptoms through some self-help methods, such as learning relaxation techniques, increasing self-confidence, and gradually exposing themselves to social situations.
In conclusion, autism and social phobia are two different disorders that differ in terms of symptom presentation, age of onset, duration, and accompanying symptoms. For these two diseases, we need to give patients enough understanding and support to help them overcome difficulties and integrate into society. At the same time, we also need to advocate for the inclusion and acceptance of these patients in society, and jointly create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.
March Creation Incentive Program
Do you know the difference between an avoidant personality and a social disorder?
What exactly are anxiety disorders afraid of?