Social Anxiety Symptoms
Social anxiety symptoms can differ across individuals. Some common features of social anxiety are:
- Fear of being judged or scrutinized
- Intense anxiety over meeting new people
- Worry you may embarrass or humiliate yourself
- Avoiding eye contact during conversations
- Physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, trembling
- Cancelling dates because you’re too nervous
- Avoid speaking to certain people – like a boss or coworker
- Anxiety for hours or days ahead of a social event
- Worry that you might say the wrong things
- Self-analyzing your performance during conversations
- Avoiding situations where you’re the center of attention
Therapy for Social Anxiety in NYC
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a successful social anxiety disorder treatment because it was originally developed to treat anxiety and depression disorders. CBT for social anxiety focuses on how changing our thoughts can lead to improved overall well-being. The unhealthy thinking patterns involved in social anxiety disorder can be redirected.
Not only does talk therapy provide individuals affected by social anxiety with a safe space to communicate and interact, but it also allows counselors to provide exercises that shift the client’s way of thinking. It is through repetition and learning how to manage our thoughts that we can change the ways our minds work.
Social anxiety is an issue of interpersonal relationships at its core. A person with social anxiety has a fundamental fear that they aren’t good enough, that they are burdensome to others, and that confrontation could lead to disaster. This can have disastrous effects on relationships, especially romantic relationships and close friendships.
Interpersonal psychotherapy is an effective social anxiety disorder treatment because it focuses on relationships and interactions. Clients can learn how to constructively communicate their needs and concerns to others and how to stop catastrophic thinking. Counselors can provide objective insight into their interactions and help them view situations from a logical standpoint.
Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is based on exposure to a person’s fears in the context of a controlled environment. This provides them with a safe space for emotional regulation. ERP can be a great social anxiety disorder treatment by allowing clients to practice difficult conversations within the safety of therapy.
Clients can practice confrontational situations with their counselor, plan out messages they need to send, or make phone calls that make them anxious in the comfort of their therapist’s office.
What Causes Social Anxiety?
Benefits of Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Anxiety disorder treatment offers several benefits, including:
- More self-confidence, less self-consciousness
- Improved social and romantic relationships
- Reduced worries, fears, and anxiety levels
Feel Better with BHNY
Get more comfortable putting yourself out there, get started with social anxiety therapy at Behavioral Health of NY.
Frequently Asked Questions
Agoraphobia is the fear of places or situations that can cause helplessness, feelings of being trapped, or embarrassment. A person with agoraphobia will not want to enter a place or situation they cannot easily escape from.
Agoraphobia and social anxiety are very similar, often overlapping and causing similar avoidances. The primary difference is the underlying motive for the fear. A person with agoraphobia fears not having control, while a person with social anxiety fears judgment.
Children with social anxiety may be hesitant to join groups and play with other kids. They may be shy when it comes to participating in class discussions. A child with social anxiety may also have separation anxiety, seeing their parent as their safe place and not wanting to leave them for a classroom full of strangers.
There is a difference between typical shyness in children and a social anxiety disorder. If you are concerned your child struggles with social anxiety, you can get them tested and seek counseling for them.