Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety
- Intense fear of social situations
- Avoidance of social interactions
- Extreme self-consciousness
- Overanalyzing interactions afterwards
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating, blushing
- Nausea or upset stomach
Treating Social Anxiety
The first line of treatment for social anxiety often involves learning social skills and letting go of avoidance behaviors bit by bit. Like building muscle, social skills take time and practice and therapy can be a place to practice safely and get feedback from an understanding person. This approach typically involves taking small steps outside of therapy and facing the very thing that is so scary. Oftentimes people make the mistake of doing this too quickly which can reinforce the fears and have the opposite result. Approaching social situations should be done slowly and gently, ensuring that you feel safe at each step.
Healing Social Anxiety
Why am I socially anxious to begin with? Early negative experiences, such as bullying, humiliation, or harsh criticism, can contribute to the development of social anxiety. Healing from these moments requires courage and a strong therapeutic relationship. This process of trauma informed care must be taken cautiously. The first step is to ensure that now is the right time to process at a deeper level, ensuring that supports are in place and there is some level of stability in a person’s life. Next is the process of coming to trust a therapist. Once trust is established and a person feels safe and supported, the process of deeper healing can begin, uncovering the real root of the issue and allowing the mind and body to heal.