What is social anxiety disorder?

 

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also termed ‘social phobia’, is a type of anxiety disorder characterised by an overwhelming fear of social situations. Social anxiety is more than being simply shy. Central to SAD is a fear of social situations that does not go away and affects everyday activities, self-confidence, relationships and work or school life. Many individuals occasionally worry about social situations, but someone with SAD will be overly worried before, during and after entering social situations.

 

 

 

Examples of social situations an individual with social anxiety might find challenging include: 

 

 

 

Meeting new people 

 

Making and taking phone calls

 

Asking for help in public spaces

 

Dating 

 

Participating in an interview

 

 

 

 

 

Social anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition that can affect anyone. Symptoms of social anxiety usually start during later childhood and early teenage years. 

 

 

 

What are the symptoms of social anxiety?

 

The main symptom of social anxiety is the ongoing fear of being negatively judged, watched, and embarrassed during social situations. Social anxiety can manifest in a range of symptoms: 

 

 

 

Blushing, sweating, and shaking

 

Having an increased heart rate during social situations

 

Feeling nauseous during social situations

 

Having a stiff posture when around other people

 

Avoiding eye contact when interacting with other people

 

Feeling self-conscious, awkward, or embarrassed when around other people 

 

Avoiding social activities and situations, like parties and eating with other people 

 

Finding it difficult to do things when other people are watching 

 

Being unsure of what to say to people in social situations

 

 

 

CBT therapy vs counselling: which is best?

 

When to seek treatment for social anxiety disorder

 

You should consider seeking treatment for your social anxiety disorders when:

 

You often worry that individuals will notice that you seem anxious, and that they will judge you negatively based on this.

 

You worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself.

 

You notice that you are feeling so anxious about socialising that you avoid it entirely.

 

You notice you often sit and think before social situations about what you will say and do.

 

You think after social situations about how you could have said or done something in a different way.

 

You often overthink about how individuals might experience you during a social situation.

 

 

 

Social anxiety therapy 

 

We support over 60,000 people a year across the UK with a range of mental health conditions. We provide expert-led, evidence-based therapies for a range of anxiety disorders in children, teens, and adults, including:

 

 

 

- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

 

- Panic disorders

 

- Health anxiety

 

- Performance anxiety

 

 

 

Our online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) services are used to treat social anxiety disorder, as there is a good evidence base to suggest this is one of the most effective treatments available.

 

Learn more about our online therapy services

 

Benefits of CBT for social anxiety

 

CBT is an evidence-based, goal-oriented, and collaborative psychological therapy approach that focuses on understanding the past and present connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (termed the ‘formulation’).

 

 

 

It also offers powerful tools, strategies, and techniques to identify, challenge, and reframe unhelpful thought patterns and associated feelings and behaviours, helping to significantly improve mental health and quality of life.

 

 

 

CBT can help you recognise and change challenging thoughts and behaviours so you can approach social situations with a new perspective and improved confidence.

 

 

 

Looking for support with social anxiety? Contact The King today to find out more about how we can help you treat and manage your social anxiety.