What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear or anxiety about social situations. Individuals with this disorder often fear public speaking, one-on-one or group conversations, dating, speaking to authority figures, being evaluated or judged, and/or engaging in everyday behaviors (e.g., writing, eating) in front of others.
Socially anxious individuals often worry about appearing anxious to others and being judged negatively because of this. This anxiety often leads individuals to avoid social situations and/or engage in avoidance behaviors while in social situations (e.g., poor eye contact, leaving early, staying quiet). These avoidance behaviors lead individuals to experience functional impairment in one or more life areas, such as work, school, friendships, or romantic relationships.
Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder
CEH clinicians provide the gold standard treatment for social anxiety disorder, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with exposure to feared situations. Clients with social anxiety often have distorted or unhelpful thoughts about social situations, and these thoughts lead to strong emotional reactions and avoidance behaviors. This leads clients to lose sight of their values with regards to social interactions, so therapists assist them in clarifying their goals and intentions with regards to social behaviors.
Therapists also assist clients in correcting or distancing themselves from their unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which leads to clients engaging more with social situations that are important to them. Exposures to feared situations proceed at the client’s pace, with the therapist offering guidance and suggestions when needed.