Social Anxiety
CBTDenver is proud to partner with the National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC) as their Regional Clinic for the greater Denver area! NSAC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality, evidence-based psychotherapy services to people with social anxiety.
Social anxiety is a common anxiety disorder in which a person feels deep fear of embarrassment or judgment in social situations, such as public speaking, performing, or a professional workshop/conference. Social phobia should not be confused with shyness or temporary anxiety about a specific event. People with social phobia feel chronic anxiety about certain situations, and without treatment social phobia can interfere with education, work and relationships.
Social Anxiety Symptoms
Social anxiety manifests itself with recurring emotional and physical symptoms that include but are not limited to:
Fear of situations in which you may be judged or humiliated
Anxiety about embarrassing yourself or offending someone else
Anxiousness about interacting with others
Avoidance of situations in which attention may be directed at you
Self-consciousness around others
Avoidance of eye contact with others
Rapid heart rate in social situations
Nausea prior to or during social events
Muscle tension before and during a social experience
Blushing, sweating or trembling around others
Most people with social anxiety are aware that their anxiety is exaggerated in comparison to the realities of the social experiences that trigger symptoms, but feel unable to control their reactions.
Anxiety and Social Situations
Those with social anxiety often try to avoid common experiences including:
Using public restrooms
Speaking in public
Interacting with others, especially strangers
Eating in front of others
Dating
Attending parties or other group gatherings
Making phone calls
Signs of social anxiety often emerge during youth, and without treatment the effects of social anxiety can persist indefinitely. If anxiety disrupts your daily life, it’s important to seek help.
CBT and Social Anxiety
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for social anxiety in that it provides long-term skills and strategies that are effective in helping individuals observe/alter negative thoughts about self, while promoting healthy social skills.
Treatment often consists of mindfulness and breathing exercises in addition to a hierarchical exposure to anxiety producing situations. Intervention is practical and time limited while concurrently fostering a sense of acceptance that anxiety may indeed show up from time to time.
