Do you experience intense anxiety or nervousness when faced with social situations? Do you fear being judged or criticized by others? Are you always worried about making mistakes, looking bad, or being embarrassed in front of others? Are you, at times, at a loss for what to do or say in a social situation?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may have a social anxiety disorder. While it is normal to feel nervous in some social situations, people who experience daily social anxiety tend to avoid everyday interactions that cause them significant fear, anxiety, self-consciousness, and embarrassment because they fear being scrutinized or judged by others. Social Anxiety can manifest in many ways. People with social anxiety often report “tripping over their words” in a social setting. A great sense of physical discomfort such as racing heart rate, sweatiness, and shaking.
Dr. Arthur incorporates social skills training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and real-world exposures to help a client defeat social anxiety.
People with Social Anxiety Disorder often experience significant distress in the following situations:
- Being teased or criticized
- Being the center of attention
- Being watched or observed while completing a task
- Having to say something in a formal, public setting
- Meeting people in authority, such as important people or authority figures
- Feeling insecure and out of place in social situations
- Embarrassing easily
- Meeting other people’s eyes
Social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition. So much so, that in extreme cases clients may avoid gatherings in general. Learning coping and confidence-building skills in therapy sessions can help you gain the confidence you need to improve your ability to interact with others.
If you feel you may have a social anxiety disorder, contact Dr. Arthur for a free consultation.