Social Anxiety

→ Previous: Social anxiety treatment options→ This is the last article in the seriesHere’s how I think about medications vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).Maybe in time humans will come up with the perfect treatment for social anxiety i.e. one that works for all individuals all of the time. But at this point, that does not exist….

→ Previous: How can I desensitize?→ Next: Medications vs. CBTAnxiety management techniques vs. a treatment programIf you have social anxiety, you’ve probably heard people say “do deep breathing” or do progressive muscle relaxation. These are helpful anxiety management techniques, but they are not a comprehensive treatment program. To overcome social anxiety, you need more than…

→ Previous: How can I reduce my fear?→ Next: Treatment optionsWhen you have social anxiety, the primitive fear center in your brain (the amygdala) is setting off false alarms. The amygdala thinks a situation is dangerous when it is not dangerous. To change this, you need to desensitize your amygdala. You can do this through…

→ Previous: Severe vs. normal symptoms→ Next: How can I desensitize?Overcoming social anxiety boils down to three things.  1. You gotta really want it! You have two voices. One voice focuses on the fear. The other voice focuses on wanting more freedom and a higher quality of life. The second voice says “I want this now.”…

→ Previous: Why is my body doing this?→ Next: How can I reduce my fear?Think of social anxiety on a continuum of 0 to 100. Where 0 = no anxiety and 100 = worst anxiety you can imagine. Here are a few important points: check No one is at a zero in every social situation. (Even…

→ Previous: Symptoms list→ Next: Severe vs. normal symptoms​Question”Why is it when I’m in a new situation my body reacts by getting shaky and I feel on edge and physically sick, yet in my brain I know it’s not a big deal? Like the other day I was going to an acquaintance’s business to talk…

→ Previous: 9 factors→ Next: Why is my body doing this?Every individual is unique and may have different symptoms (or combinations of symptoms). Here are some typical social anxiety symptoms: check Feeling awkward check Self-focused awareness (focusing on how you’re performing vs. other person) check Mind going blank and difficulty concentrating check Freezing (“deer in…

→ Previous: Overview→ Next: 9 FactorsSocial anxiety is typically caused by a combination of predisposing factors + a life stressor.  Some of the pre-disposing factors could be: check Heredity (anxiety in your family) or other biological/medical causes check You were bullied check Your parents or authority figures communicate an overly cautious view of the world check…