Navigating Social Anxiety Disorder

Some individuals experience profound negative feelings when faced with social situations. They might worry about being scrutinized or judged by others, or they might be afraid to embarrass themselves in front of others. When such feelings cause distress and interfere with normal daily activities, it is a good idea to seek help from a professional. This blog will explain the nature and symptoms of social anxiety disorder. It will also discuss treatment options and strategies for finding the right support and treatment. 

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

As you contemplate attending your company’s end of the year party, you experience intense negative feelings. Just imagining entering the room full of your coworkers fills you with dread. All eyes on you, evaluating, judging, and commenting. Why should you subject yourself to this anxiety provoking situation when you can have a glass of wine at home, relax, and watch some TV?

People with social anxiety disorder experience intense fear and anxiety in most social situations. The possibility of being evaluated makes them extremely uncomfortable. Often, rumination about the judgments of other people can prevent them from attending social events. This type of fear can have a profound effect on many different domains of an individual’s well-being. A person with social anxiety disorder might avoid or skip interviews or job promotions, social gatherings with their families, or visiting any public place with the possibility of being judged. 

Another important aspect of social anxiety disorder is the fear of embarrassing oneself in front of other people. Some individuals minimize verbal communication or emotional expression in interpersonal interaction in hopes of preventing embarrassment. Unfortunately, such strategies often backfire, as other people react negatively and withdraw from interaction. This can create and maintain a social anxiety cycle. 

It is natural to wonder what causes social anxiety disorder. Some evidence suggests that the risk for this disorder is genetic; however, the causes of social anxiety disorder are not yet fully understood. 

Be Proactive: Recognize Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Now, let’s explore some of the signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Because every individual experiences some level of anxiety and discomfort in some social situations, it might appear difficult to determine whether your own fears and anxiety justify the categorization of social anxiety disorder. Although a proper diagnosis requires evaluation by a mental health professional, there are specific symptoms that can alert you to this possibility. 

One important symptom is the profound fear of being evaluated by other people when contemplating a social situation. Is this fear strong enough to prevent you from attending social events that you otherwise find enjoyable? If your answer is “yes,” this could be a symptom of your social anxiety. 

Another important consideration is whether you find yourself ruminating about what can go bad in the upcoming social event. Are you worried that something about your voice, manner of talking, intelligence, or appearance might generate disapproval or even laughter in other people? Do you engage in compensatory behavior to avoid or prevent such occurrences, such as speaking with a soft voice or avoiding participating in a conversation unless directly addressed? These can all be symptoms of social anxiety disorder. 

Some signs that accompany the anxiety are blushing, sweating, nausea or upset stomach. Sometimes avoidance of social situations leads to depression, isolation, and loneliness. Some individuals try to cope with social anxiety disorder by using alcohol to relax, to reduce social inhibition, and to alleviate discomfort. If you recognize some of these symptoms and signs in yourself, it might be beneficial to explore your treatment options.

Exploring Treatment Options for Social Anxiety Disorder

Treatment options should be discussed with your mental health provider. For some individuals, medication might be the best option; for others, psychotherapy may provide the most relief. Often, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is beneficial.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for social anxiety disorder. The focus of CBT is the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This type of therapy helps people examine and challenge their maladaptive and irrational thoughts and fears. People with social anxiety disorder display strong negative judgment and interpretation biases. They are often their worst critic, and they often overestimate the probability of negative outcomes in almost all social situations. CBT also provides training that helps prevent people from avoiding social situations. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another promising treatment option. A version of CBT, ACT emphasizes acceptance and awareness strategies to increase mental flexibility with resulting behavioral change. With this type of treatment, clients can improve their attentional biases, awareness, and emotion regulation. It can also address safety and avoidance behaviors. 

Psychodynamic therapy is another treatment modality for social anxiety disorder. It emphasizes interpersonal relationships and places emphasis on examining early child caregiver relationships and their influence on subsequent social interactions. Relational modalities, such as advanced experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP), incorporate elements of a psychodynamic approach, but focus on the relationship between the client and the therapist. In undoing the aloneness, the therapist models healthy attachment and works with the client to develop interpersonal and other social skills. Going beyond individual psychotherapy, group therapy is an excellent option for clients that want more practical experience with social skills.

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Don’t Face Social Anxiety Alone: Finding Support and Treatment

Reaching out for help might be difficult for people with social anxiety disorder because this inevitably involves social interactions, which provokes anxiety. However, there are many different approaches that will let you make the initial contact with more comfort. Many providers of psychotherapy offer initial contact through web forms or email, which is often followed by a brief phone consultation. You can also ask a friend or a family member to make the initial contact. It is equally important to educate yourself about social anxiety disorder and to engage in self-care, such as proper nutrition, exercise and to develop a healthy work-life balance.

Social Anxiety Disorder can prevent you from forming friendships, starting a new job, and dating new people. It can affect all aspects of your life because it often makes you a harsh critic of yourself, but you can make a change. Psychotherapy can be very effective in helping you reframe your thoughts, process your emotions, and empower you to begin making interpersonal connections with less anxiety.

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Are you interested in finding support as you navigate social anxiety disorder? Reach out to myTherapyNYC to find out which of our therapists would be a good fit for you!

What coping strategies have you used to navigate social anxiety disorder? Join the conversation in the comments below