Many people don’t like to be in social situations. It’s normal to be nervous when you have to step in front of a group or have an important meeting. However, some people develop social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. In these situations, the interactions become impossible, and they create debilitating limitations on your well-being.
Knowing if you have social phobia isn’t always easy. What’s more, some people simply believe this is who they are and that they don’t need to make changes. The reality is very different.
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we aim to provide individuals with authentic strategies to address and navigate the complexities of social phobia so you can live a life that is fulfilling to you.
What Is Social Phobia?
Social phobia involves significant fear and anxiety that leads to the avoidance of social interactions and activities. It can impact relationships, work, school, and other responsibilities. Many people experience debilitating symptoms related to self-consciousness and embarrassment. You may fear being judged or scrutinized.
A person with social phobia will work hard to avoid such interactions at all costs. That often leads to isolation and limitations on a person’s ability to navigate daily tasks.
Symptoms commonly associated with social phobia include:
- Feelings of shyness that limit your ability to interact with others
- Discomfort in certain situations
- Avoidance of relationships or activities that require one-on-one interactions
- Feeling intense fear of interacting with other people or talking to strangers
- Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
- Physical symptoms, including a racing heart, blushing, sweating, and trembling
- Expecting the worst possible consequences that are realistic
- Intense fear during social situations
- Always analyzing your performance and identifying your own flaws
In these situations, a person may feel simply unable and unwilling to interact with others. It feels very much like the world is judging you, and instead of dealing with it, you step away. If you have signs that your anxiety isn’t healthy, it’s time to seek treatment.
Social phobia can worsen over time. Some people may seem to gain more confidence and “get better,” but then feel that same intrusive thought process later.
Common Causes of Social Phobia
Understanding the cause of social phobia is an important step in moving care forward. Like every type of mental health disorder, it becomes essential to understand the source when possible. Some of the most common causes of social phobia include:
- Genetic factors: There is evidence that social phobia can be related to genetics, but it’s not clear just how much it relates to genetics.
- Environmental factors: Many researchers believe social phobia relates to learned behaviors, meaning they develop after a person experiences embarrassing or unpleasant social interactions that then spiral out of control.
- Brain structure: The amygdala, a portion of the brain, plays a role in controlling intense fear and stress. Malformations in this area of the brain could trigger social phobias in some people.
Understanding the cause shouldn’t limit you from getting help. Many people find that treatment is very much possible.
You’re not alone in your feelings. By some estimates, about 7.1% of the SU adult population suffers from some form of anxiety disorder.
How Social Phobia Treatment Works
For someone facing social phobia right now, the last thing in the world you want to think about is having to enter into a public venue and just fight your way through it. Exposure therapy can be helpful, but not always.
Instead, meet with a mental health treatment specialist who can provide you with an individualized treatment strategy to address what you are feeling right now. After a formal assessment from a mental health provider, you will begin a treatment plan to address your needs. Some of the therapies often incorporated include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
This type of therapy specifically addresses the negative thoughts you have and how they often lead to undesirable behaviors. This type of treatment can work well for those who are facing anxiety because it encourages you to think about what reality is.
Exposure-Based CBT
Another therapy option is much the same as exposure-based CBT. This allows you to step into a controlled but still anxiety-inducing situation to work through the experience with support. This is a skills training process where role-playing helps you build social skills. You’ll build skills that also lead to confidence over time.
Medications
Some people benefit from the use of medications to control debilitating social phobia and anxiety. This may include the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that can reduce symptoms of anxiety significantly. You may also benefit from serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI).
Find a Way Forward With Social Limitations
What’s really hard about social phobia is that many people who face these symptoms and complications want to be in those environments and engage with life. It’s not your fault that you feel like that’s impossible right now. But treatment can help.
Contact Willow Creek Behavioral Health now. Set up some time to speak to a therapist who can offer real-world strategies for recovery.
