Social phobia and anxiety – how to deal with it?

Fear that isolates

Up to 13% of us suffer from some form of social phobia. But this only includes those who sought help and could thus be diagnosed. You are really not alone in this and maybe people around you are hiding similar unpleasant feelings.

A hallmark of social phobia is the fear of any activity in which someone might watch or critically evaluate you. Fear that you won’t be able to do it, that you will look stupid, that people around you will notice your insecurity and judge you, make fun of you or slander you. Any interaction with other people (especially strangers) causes you stress. You don’t know how to behave, what to say. You feel that whatever you do is wrong. And so you prefer to avoid people, even though you feel lonely.

But it’s not easy at all, because you still need to go to work, shop, take care of things. You probably don’t even want to turn down invitations from your loved ones, but the thought of a summer barbecue or a birthday party with a bunch of people makes you uneasy. The summer period of all gatherings brings you stress instead of joy.

With severe social phobia, even ordinary activities such as:

• meeting people you know
• meeting new people
• public performances
• phone calls
• running errands (office, doctor, etc.)
• shopping
• eating in public
• using a public toilet
• any work in a team, etc.

Symptoms of social phobia

Is social phobia really your issue, or is it more just stage fright and your introverted nature? These are the main signs by which you can recognize her.

On a psychological level, social phobia manifests itself:

• fear and anxiety
• by shame and a feeling of helplessness
• strongly negative self-evaluative thoughts

But it is also accompanied by physical signs:

• sweating
• shaking
• tight throat
• blushing
• dizziness
• heartbeat
• muscle tension
• nausea and vomiting
• shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

The main difference compared to other diagnoses is that you need social contact. But it causes you so much stress that it is easier for you to avoid it.

Why do I have social phobia – the reasons

The causes of social phobia are not clearly defined. The disposition to increased tension and anxiety can also be innate. As well as greater vulnerability. You probably experienced certain signs already in your teenage years.

Experts say that bullying, exclusion from a group in childhood, strict upbringing, family problems, sexual abuse and various traumas can play a role in the development of social phobia. A generally low self-esteem also helps her.

How to get rid of social phobia

You may have lived with social phobia until now, believing that it was just severe stage fright. Or it was really bothering you, but you couldn’t face your fear.

The most important thing is the fact that you are here and you have decided to go towards your mental well-being. Unaddressed social phobia can lead to even more serious problems, such as depression or addiction. Isolation from the environment is never a solution. According to a long-term Harvard study, friendship is even a key factor in feeling happy. The great news is that you can even get rid of social phobia completely if you go about it the right way.

The ideal solution is therapy

It is not at all easy to manage social phobia without the help of a specialist. That’s why it’s ideal to have the support of a therapist along the way. It will help you process anxious thoughts and begin to gradually manage social interactions and relationships with greater ease.

A cognitive-behavioral therapy method is ideal for the treatment of social phobia, where under the guidance of a therapist you will gradually expose yourself to artificial and real social situations, solve them together and learn how to deal with them. Slowly, at your own pace.

Fear will need to be faced and processed. However, with the support of an expert, you will definitely be able to do it, and the release from the cycle of suffering will definitely be worth it.

At Hedepy, we offer therapy online, you just need to connect from the safety of your home. We know that talking to a stranger is scary. That’s why you can get to know our therapists at least a little first thanks to detailed profiles with video medallions. They are all vetted experts who will never judge you. It’s their chosen job – to help people like you.

We will make it easier for you to choose the right therapist with a short test, based on which we will recommend the three most suitable ones.

Psychotropic drugs are also a last resort

If social anxiety bothers you so much that it limits your daily life – it makes it impossible for you to work, travel by public transport, do regular shopping, etc. – your doctor (psychiatrist) can also prescribe medication, most often antidepressants.

But if you feel up to dealing with social anxiety without medication, we recommend starting with therapy. Read how the first therapy session works.

Social contact is very important for our mental health, don’t delay the first step and allow yourself to breathe in peace again. Relief can come after the first therapy.