Time Social Club - Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the early to mid-teens, though it can sometimes start in younger children or in adults. This fear can affect work, school, and other daily activities. It can even make it hard to make and keep friends.

Symptoms

Blush, sweat, or tremble.
Have a rapid heart rate.
Feel their “mind going blank,” or feel sick to their stomach.
Have a rigid body posture, speak with an overly soft or shaky voice.
Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively
Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
Fear that others will notice that you look anxious
Find it difficult to make eye contact, be around people they don’t
Avoid places where there are other people.
Interacting with unfamiliar people or strangers
Attending parties or social gatherings
For children, anxiety about interacting with adults or peers may be shown by crying, having temper tantrums, clinging to parents or refusing to speak in social situations.
Performance type of social anxiety disorder is when you experience intense fear and anxiety during speaking or performing in public but not in other types of more general social situations.

Helping Yourself and Others with Social Anxiety Disorder

Educating Yourself
Communicate
Psychotherapy
Getting Help

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat social anxiety disorder. It teaches you different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations to help you feel less anxious and fearful. CBT also can help you learn and practice social skills, which is very important for treating social anxiety disorder. Exposure therapy is a CBT method that focuses on progressively confronting the fears underlying an anxiety disorder to help you engage in activities you have been avoiding. Exposure therapy is sometimes used along with relaxation exercises.