What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety or social phobia is a condition that causes people intense nervousness around interacting with others. Common situations that trigger social anxiety can include party gatherings, work functions, dating, public speaking, a coworker meeting, talking on the phone, or texting.
Those with social anxiety have an intense fear of being judged, rejected, or evaluated by others. They may also worry excessively over embarrassing themselves or being ostracized by a group. Understandably, this can result in a person avoiding certain social situations entirely.
Social anxiety can impact daily function – interfering with work, relationships, and other social activities. It can also lead to loneliness, isolation, and depression. However, with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments, those with social anxiety can work through their fears and live a more self-confident life.
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) can be highly effective in treating social anxiety. It helps individuals by first identifying thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their anxiety, such as fears of being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in social situations. Once these anxious thoughts are identified, CBT helps individuals reframe them and start to see social interactions in less threatening ways.
The next step is guiding individuals through gradual exposure to their feared social situations. This allows one to experience these situations in a step by step manner, which typically reduces anxiety over time and builds confidence.
CBT therapy for social anxiety can include an understanding and evaluation of one’s core beliefs about oneself, the world, and the future. (One’s core beliefs can trigger social anxiety.)
It can also incorporate mindfulness skills to help one stay in the moment of a social interaction – to stay engaged more naturally with others and avoid getting distracted by one’s thoughts.
Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is a form of CBT used to treat social anxiety that involves gradually exposing individuals to feared social situations such as meeting someone new, attending a group gathering, going to a social event, or a one-on-one meeting with a co-worker. Psychologists can set up “imaginal” exposures which can take place in-office, engage clients in role play, and encourage real life interactions for “in-vivo” exposures. A key component of this therapy is learning to tolerate anxiety in social situations such that socially avoidant safety behaviors are reduced or eliminated. With consistent practice, over time, distress tolerance increases and anxiety is often reduced allowing for more comfortable social interactions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an excellent adjunct to CBT and ERP for social anxiety by helping individuals develop the skills to create a healthy distance from their anxious thoughts rather than being overwhelmed by them. This can be particularly useful when engaging in exposures to feared social situations as it can enhance distress tolerance. ACT techniques including cognitive defusion, anchoring, and mindful observation are often employed. This therapy encourages taking action that aligns with personal values, which for many people with social anxiety means a desire to engage in social activities rather than avoiding them.
What Causes Social Anxiety?
Benefits of Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Therapy for social anxiety 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
If social anxiety is affecting your life, our clinicians are here to help.
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.