WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY?

Social anxiety is the fear of situation where other people are present (Jefferson, 2001). There is general social anxiety, all social situations cause anxiety and non-general social anxiety, a specific type of social situation causes anxiety to a person (“Social Anxiety/Phobia,” 2019). The fear comes from the idea that others are judging and that they may embarrass themselves (Jefferson, 2001). The reason for social anxiety can be said to be evolutionary, to not misbehave in a way that will get you kicked out of the group (Jefferies, & Ungar, 2020), brain activity, family history of anxiety, or an experience such as being bullied for the way one had socialized (“Social Anxiety/Phobia,” 2019). It often develops in adolescence, up to age 23, one goes from a family setting to a more peer dependent setting, and then it can last a lifetime. Social anxiety does not seem to be affected by gender, but some studies suggest that it is affected by age, education, and employment. Stating that those who are unemployed or have not completed secondary school have higher social anxiety (Jefferies, & Ungar, 2020).

Many symptoms indicate social anxiety, such as fidgeting, sweating, shaking, or the thought that the other person will notice that you are nervous or uninteresting. These thoughts can have one too preoccupied to keep up with the conversation Thompson, Van Zalk, Marshall, et al, 2019). Moreover, people with social anxiety can get caught in a loop, where due to fear of the social situation they prepare, then when the social situation goes well, they think it is because they prepared, instead of realizing they would have had the potential without preparing (Carruthers, Warnock-Parkes, & Clark, 2019). Therapists from Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc. can help you recognize these behaviours and thinking that contribute to social anxiety. Recognizing it will help you understand the difficulties you are facing but may not understand (Jefferies, & Ungar, 2020).

 Social anxiety can cause distress for simple everyday tasks causing a hindrance in one's life. Some deal with it by sticking alone, or with alcohol and drug use (Jefferson, 2001). Some may even believe that online interactions may be the answer. But a study with Facebook uses and social anxiety showed that those with social anxiety may feel that online communication was easier due to control. They can hide anxious behaviour and prepare responses. But results showed that those with high social anxiety and those with low social anxiety typically had the same number of friends and spent the same amount of time on Facebook. But those with high social anxiety still got caught up in negative thinking and avoiding interaction and rather being on Facebook more passively (Carruthers, Warnock-Parkes, & Clark, 2019).

 Therapy is an effective way to deal with social anxiety. Unfortunately, many do not come to therapy for social anxiety. It goes unrecognized as a disorder until another comorbid disorder arises since many believe social anxiety to simply be a characteristic of themselves (Jefferson, 2001). If you felt that any of the symptoms mentioned above relate to you, please reach out to Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc., where we have a wonderful therapist trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, which is an effective treatment plan for social anxiety. With CBT, therapists work on changing negative thinking patterns of clients, such as being incompetent and boring that fuel social anxiety. They also do exposure exercises, where they imagine or role-play social situations, the gradual exposure will gradually decrease the fear (“Social Anxiety Disorder, n.d.). Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy on occasion also offer group therapy, which is beneficial as you interact with others who go through the same thing as you and therefore understand you, it is also great practice in socializing (Higuera, 2021). Finally, therapists at Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Inc. will help with self care and boundaries all of which will help better take care of yourself (“Social Anxiety Disorder, n.d.).

All our therapists specialize in anxiety related psychotherapy. For more information, and to book an appointment with a therapist please give us a call at 647-267-9853 or email us info@vaughanpsychotherapist.com

References

Carruthers, S. E., Warnock-Parkes, E. L., & Clark, D. M. (2019). Accessing social media: Help

or hindrance for people with social anxiety? Journal of Experimental Psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1177/2043808719837811

Higuera, V. (2021, June 01). Treating Social Anxiety Disorder. Healthline.

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/social-anxiety-treatment#takeaway

Jefferies, P. & Ungar, M. (2020). Social anxiety in young people: A prevalence study in seven

countries. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239133

Jefferson J. W. (2001). Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just a Little Shyness. Primary care

companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 3(1), 4–9. https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.v03n0102

Social Anxiety Disorder. (n.d.). CAMH. Retrieved September 11, 2021 from

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/social-anxiety-disorder

Social Anxiety/ Phobia. (2019, September 27). Good Therapy. Retrieved September 11, 2021,

from https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/social-phobia

Thompson, T., Van Zalk, N., Marshall, C. et al. Social anxiety increases visible anxiety signs

during social encounters but does not impair performance. BMC Psychol 7, 24 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-019-0300-5