Social anxiety treatment so you can stop sweating and start talking.
Are You Struggling with Social Anxiety Symptoms?
Before Social Situations
Dread. Trying to get out of it or putting it off as long as possible. Watching mental movies about how awkward and uncomfortable it’s going to be, and what people will be thinking of you. Imagining all the ways you might embarrass yourself.
In the Moment
Mounting panic. Physical symptoms like sweating and blushing. Stumbling over your words. Using “buffers” like alcohol, your phone, or your kids to minimize anxiety. Your mind might go blank and anything you do think of to say could feel utterly stupid.
After It’s Over
Cringe (and relief). Running through the mental replay of every single anxious, awkward, and embarrassing moment. Followed by a storm of thoughts like “Ugh, I’m so weird, what the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I just act normal? So awkward!”
Top 7 Myths of Social Anxiety
Most people with social anxiety come up with the same strategies to try and manage it. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common tactics, (along with explanations for why these don’t work long-term).
If you’ve been relying on these rules for managing your social anxiety, you might have noticed that you get short-term relief from the anxiety. However, you may have also noticed that over the long-term your social anxiety has gotten worse. You may be feeling more awkward or anxious, or having more physical symptoms, in social situations than you did a few years ago.
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Avoiding social situations only sends more messages to your body that social interactions are “dangerous,” which increases the likelihood of physical symptoms like blushing, sweating, or heart palpitations.
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The longer you put off doing something that makes you anxious, the more anxious you get. Imagine going to the doctor’s office and listening to an hour long lecture about getting a shot and how much it will hurt before they actually give you the shot. More anticipation equals more anxiety.
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Alcohol and other drugs may take the edge off short-term, but it also sends your brain the message that you aren’t “funny enough,” “interesting enough,” or you can’t handle social moments when you’re sober. Drugs and alcohol also then get all the credit for any positive experience you have, instead of you getting the credit.
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Using other, more subtle “social buffers” like scrolling through your phone, wearing headphones, or putting all your attention on your kids sends others the signal “DO NOT ENGAGE.” Much like avoidance and stalling, these tactics only reinforce feelings of anticipation, dread, and physical symptoms.
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Nothing will make your brain clam up quicker than telling yourself “Be interesting, say something interesting right now. You’re blowing it!” This usually either causes your mind to go blank or you think of thoughts and quickly toss them since they don’t feel “interesting enough.”
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If you made it this far, you’re probably blushing, sweating, trembling, or stuttering. The more pressure you put on yourself to not be anxious, the more physical symptoms you’re likely to have. The more symptoms you have, the more obvious they’ll become. It’s a vicious cycle.
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This mental review keeps you reliving the emotionally painful experience, which only sends more signals to your body that social moments are dangerous. More danger signals means more physical symptoms, more anxiety, more awkwardness next time. You can’t win with this strategy.
How Social Anxiety Treatment Can Help
When It’s Time to Call In the Pros
Social anxiety can affect major areas of your life - your relationships, work, mood, self-esteem, health, and independence. Everyone feels nervous from time to time. Certain social situations, like going on a job interview or making small talk with a group of strangers, can be a bit unnerving for most people. Social anxiety isn’t necessarily a problem that warrants therapy, as long as it’s mild, doesn’t happen often, and isn’t affecting your life. If you notice your social anxiety is bothering you or if it’s negatively affecting major areas of your life, it’s time to reach out. Read on to learn more about how our team can help.
“75% of individuals with social anxiety report major improvements - less anxiety, and decreased physical symptoms after completing CBT Treatment for Social Anxiety”
Build & Strengthen Relationships
After successfully completing social anxiety treatment our clients report feeling better equipped to meet people, turn acquaintances into friends, and start dating, If your current relationships are suffering because of your social anxiety, therapy can also help you learn to relax and be yourself more. This can allow you to say “yes” to more opportunities to spend time with the people you care about, without the feelings of dread and awkwardness.
Boost Your Confidence at Work
Social anxiety therapy can help you perform better at work by reducing anxiety you might have about interacting with coworkers or customers. Our clients who were feeling trapped or unhappy with their current career path, report feeling more confident about finding new opportunities and going through the interview process. Research shows professionals who feel more confident are also more able and likely to speak up about the value they bring their workplace, the compensation they deserve, and the work they are most passionate about growing into.
Raise Your Mood & Self-Esteem
Our clients who complete social anxiety therapy report feeling less anxious so they can do more, get out more, and try new things - all of which can significantly improve your mood and reduce depression.
Our therapists can support you in developing real self-compassion, so you can be kinder to yourself. Therapy can also help you feel more accepting of the flaws and imperfections you normally get hung up on.
Enhance Your Health & Independence
Our clients report feeling more independent thanks to building confidence in day-to-day skills like making phone calls, talking to store clerks, and handling errands and appointments - all areas of their lives they used to rely on others, due to social anxiety.
Social anxiety treatment can also help you feel better about engaging in healthy activities such as going to the gym, attending a yoga class, or joining a local kickball league which previously might have felt off limits due to social anxiety.
Ready to Get Started?
Get In Touch With Us
Perhaps one of the hardest steps you’ll have to make by yourself is the first step of reaching out to us. Send us your info and we’ll take it from there, supporting you each step of the way.
Complete a Free Consult
You might be nervous about making phone calls or not sure what to say - either way we’ll walk you through it step-by-step in about 15 minutes. We like to be sure it’s a good fit first.
Have Your First Session
We’ll set up your first session with your therapist to complete your initial assessment. This helps to ensure we have a solid game plan from the get-go so you can feel confident in the process.
References:
Mattick, R., and C. Clarke. 1998. Development and Validation of Measure of Social Phobia Scrutiny Fear and Social Interaction Anxiety. Behavior Research and Therapy 36:455–70.