Social Anxiety: A Closer Look
Social anxiety disorder is a common type of anxiety disorder. A person with a social anxiety disorder experiences symptoms of anxiety or fear in situations where they may be scrutinized, evaluated, or judged by others. This most often occurs when
Speaking in public
Meeting new people
Dating
Job interviews
Answering questions in class
or even having simple social exchanges with strangers in daily life
The fear that people with social anxiety disorder have in social situations is so intense that it may prevent them from going to work/school or doing everyday tasks. In other cases, some people might be able to accomplish social activities but experience a substantial amount of fear or anxiety leading up to it and throughout. Those with a social anxiety disorder may start to worry weeks in advance. This worry can build up until they decide to avoid the situation altogether.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder?
When having to perform in front of or be around others, people with a social anxiety disorder may experience:
Blushing, sweating, or trembling
Heightened heart rate
Brain fog
Nauseous or feeling ill
Physically tense
Speaking very softly
Difficulty making eye contact,
Uncomfortable around people they don’t know,
Trouble communicating with people in social situations; awkwardness.
Overly self-consciousness; fear of being judged.
Avoid large crowds or gatherings; parties or conferences
The Types of Social Anxiety We Commonly See
Untreated Social Anxiety
Have you struggled with social anxiety and haven’t sought out treatment? You aren’t alone, as social anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders, affecting between 7 and 13% of the Canadian population.
Our team sees persons with social anxiety, for the first time, all the time. These persons are tired of missing out on life, tired of missing parties with friends, tired of letting their nerves dictate their actions, and tired of worrying so much.
This form of social anxiety typically forms during childhood, persisting and potentially worsening if left untreated. It is caused by a combination of possible events, including environmental factors, traumatic events, and genetics that impact the wiring of the brain and its emotional regulation of fear.
Post-Covid Social Anxiety
Covid-19 was an unprecedented event. Our society has never experienced such a coordinated lockdown, one that left all of us in a prolonged period of social isolation. Add to that, it seemed to happen overnight. Suddenly, most of us were cut off from our social groups and forced to adapt to a new way of life.
Being social is human nature, we are hardwired to share our lives with others, to varying degrees.
The team at Danielle Counselling has seen an increasing number of social anxiety clients as the restrictions have lifted. For the greater part of two years, our social circles have been extremely limited. This had led to many people losing their social confidence, forgetting social norms, feeling insecure speaking in front of crowds, and being nervous about large gatherings.
For so long, the message has been that large groups or gatherings of more than 10 were dangerous. This has left a lasting impression on people as we are asked to get back to normal life and gather at work, or school, or with friends again.
Recurring Social Anxiety
Another type of concern that our team regularly sees is recurring or resurfaced social anxiety.
This person may have been treated before and learned to cope with their social anxiety. However, as with all things, if you don’t use certain skillsets for long periods of time, they start to fade.
For two years, those with social anxiety didn’t have to utilize coping mechanisms, they didn’t have to coach themselves through emotional responses and overcome them. Fast forward to today, and they are suddenly being confronted with many of the old triggers and anxiety-inducing social events - and are having trouble staying in control.
Social Anxiety Therapy Offered At Danielle Counselling
The aim in treating social anxiety is to establish a sense of security and confidence within the individual. From that secure place, we are able to better align fearful perceptions with more realistic perceptions of the situation, the self, and others.
Whether it’s your first therapy session or if you sought counselling years ago and once again feel it could help, our team is here for you. At Danielle Counselling, we provide a comprehensive range of therapy services to help patients restore their quality of life. Our space is welcoming, free of judgement and open to persons from all walks of life.
We offer a range of therapy methods that are effective for patients with social anxiety, methods such as:
Person Centered Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Social Anxiety Therapy Available In Oshawa, Ontario
If you have questions about Social Anxiety or the therapy services offered at Danielle Counselling, call our office to speak with a member of our team or book your first session online today!
