What is social phobia and how could CBT help?
Lots of people get nervous or self-conscious when going into new situations for the first time or when giving a speech or interviewing for a new job. But social anxiety, or social phobia, is more than just shyness or occasional nerves.
With social anxiety disorder, you may:
- Have intense anxiety before a social event even weeks before it happens
- Fear embarrassing yourself so intensely that you avoid situations that can trigger it.
- Limit your activities so much that you end up saying no to most invitations, feel isolated and have few friends.
- Find yourself staying quiet or hiding in the background in order to escape notice and embarrassment.
- Need to always bring a friend along with you wherever you go.
- Need to drink before social situations in order to calm your nerves.
- Develop some physical symptoms of anxiety such as: a fast heart rate, palpitations, shaking, sweating, feeling sick, chest pain, headaches, stomach pains, a ‘knot in the stomach’ or fast breathing.
- Feel that everyone is looking at you and judging you negatively.
- Feel you want to escape as fast as you can.
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Who Has Social Phobia?
• It is one of the most common mental health conditions.
• Up to 1 in 10 adults have social phobia to some degree.
• It usually develops in the teenage years and is usually a lifelong problem unless treated.
• Just over twice as many women are affected than men.
What To Expect From Therapy
CBT is an effective treatment for this condition and will help you to face your fears, gradually over time and with the support of your therapist, help you build your confidence to start enjoying your life.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
You and your therapist will identify your goals for treatment and usually lasts between 8 – 12 sessions.
For more information on Social Phobia please see: www.nice.org.uk