Social Anxiety

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder characterised by intense fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment in social situations. It is also referred to as social phobia.

People with social anxiety fear being scrutinised or judged by others and fear behaving in a way that will lead to rejection, humiliation or negative evaluation. A person with social phobia may not actually do anything humiliating or embarrassing, they have a fear that they will.

This fear often leads to avoidance of social situations or engaging in them with intense anxiety. The condition can significantly impact an individual's daily life, relationships, and personal and professional growth.


Social anxiety can lead to isolation and loneliness, reduced opportunities for developing relationships and the frustration that comes from working below a person’s potential abilities. Being socially anxious is not the same as being introverted. Socially anxious introverts often continue to enjoy solitary activities, socially anxious extroverts are naturally happiest in the company of others, but their phobia interferes with their ability to access this type of enjoyment.

What are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder?

  • An intense fear of being judged or scrutinised by others.

  • Self-consciousness and embarrassment in social situations

  • Avoidance of social situations or enduring them with intense anxiety.

  • Physical symptoms such as shaking, sweating, blushing, or a rapid heartbeat.

  • Negative thoughts and self-criticism.

  • Difficulty making and maintaining eye contact.

  • Difficulty speaking in front of others.

  • Worrying excessively before social events.

  • Fear of offending others or making mistakes.

  • Feelings of worthlessness or inferiority.

If you notice some of the symptoms above, you will benefit from speaking to one of the social anxiety specialists from the list below.

What is the best treatment for social anxiety?

The most effective and evidence-based treatments for social anxiety disorder include CBT, ERP and ACT. Each are explained a little below, but if you click on each type of therapy it will take you to a page that explains each model of therapy in more detail. The choice of treatment will depend on the individual's specific needs, and treatment plans will be discussed after a good and thorough initial assessment.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Social Anxiety.

This is A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to social anxiety. A typical CBT treatment for social anxiety includes the following steps:

  • Assessment - The therapist will assess the individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours related to social anxiety.

  • Psycho-education - The therapist will educate the individual about social anxiety and how CBT can help.

  • Identifying Negative Thoughts - The therapist will help the individual identify negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves and social situations that contribute to their anxiety.

  • Challenging Negative Thoughts - The therapist will challenge the individual's negative thoughts and beliefs, and help them develop more realistic and positive thoughts.

  • Gradual Exposure / ERP - Exposure therapy or ERP. ERP is a type of therapy in which a person gradually faces their feared situations in a controlled setting, allowing them to overcome their anxiety. The therapist will help the individual gradually face their feared social situations in a controlled setting, allowing them to overcome their anxiety.

  • Skill-Building - The therapist will help the individual develop coping skills and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety in social situations.

  • Maintenance and Relapse Prevention - The therapist will provide support and guidance to help the individual maintain their progress and prevent relapse.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A form of psychotherapy that helps individuals accept and manage their emotions and thoughts without letting them control their behaviour.

  • ACT therapy encourages individuals to engage in valued activities, even if they are uncomfortable, and to use mindfulness skills to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

  • ACT also aims to help individuals break free from the vicious cycle of avoidance and self-doubt that can accompany social anxiety by teaching them to adopt a more compassionate and accepting approach towards themselves. The therapy emphasises that social anxiety is a normal part of the human experience, and that everyone experiences feelings of nervousness and self-doubt at times.

  • The goal of ACT is to help individuals develop a sense of self-compassion, flexibility, and resilience, and to learn to approach social situations with courage and confidence.

 

My Therapist Online can help you. If you suffer from any of the problems detailed above, you may benefit from making an appointment with one of our social anxiety specialists. Some of our therapists have worked at the national specialist services for the treatment of anxiety disorders including social anxiety. 

Recommended Reading about Social Anxiety

The below recommended books all provide practical and evidence-based techniques for overcoming social anxiety, as well as being books written to support lasting change. They can serve as standalone resources or be used alongside your online therapy session.









  • The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety and Shyness: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Free Yourself from Fear and Reclaim Your Life - by Georg H. Eifert and John P. Forsyth.

    This is an invaluable resource for individuals seeking to overcome these challenges and reclaim their lives. It provides a comprehensive guide to using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to overcome social anxiety and shyness.

    The book is written in a clear and easy-to-follow format and includes practical exercises and strategies to help individuals understand and manage their social anxiety and shyness.

    The authors provide a step-by-step guide to mindfulness and acceptance, helping individuals develop a new perspective on their experiences and build resilience in the face of social anxiety and shyness. It covers a range of topics, including how to identify and manage thoughts and feelings, how to cultivate self-compassion, and how to take action in the face of fear.


  • The Confidence Gap: A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt - by Russ Harris.

    This super book is an accessible and insightful guide to overcoming fear and self-doubt and building confidence and resilience. It is packed full of evidence-based strategies and techniques to help individuals overcome fear and self-doubt, including social anxiety, and develop a flexible and accepting mindset.

    The Confidence gap, is written in a clear and engaging style and provides practical tools and techniques to help individuals build confidence and resilience. The author, Russ Harris, draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to provide a unique perspective on the challenges of fear and self-doubt and helps readers understand how to overcome these obstacles.

    It covers a range of topics, including how to manage thoughts and feelings, how to develop self-compassion, and how to take action in the face of fear. It includes many practical exercises and strategies for individuals to apply in their daily lives, helping them build confidence and overcome the obstacles that hold them back.


Therapist who specialist in the treatment of social anxiety













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