Going to a party, meeting friends for dinner, attending a networking event–for most people, these sound like fun activities, but for someone with social anxiety, they might seem very stressful and exhausting. Social anxiety can stop people from doing the things they want to do in life and can hold them back from promotions at work, forming new relationships, and many other activities. The good news is that there are ways to combat social anxiety. If you or someone you care about struggles with social situations, learning more about how to cope with social anxiety through social anxiety disorder treatment can lead to a greater sense of empowerment.
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
People living with social anxiety disorder are living with a condition that affects millions of people around the world. Social anxiety disorder is more than simply being shy or reserved; symptoms can range from moderate to severe and can have varying levels of impact on the lives of people living with social anxiety disorder.
Some of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder are:
- Finding it difficult, sometimes even impossible, to speak to strangers, go into situations with new people, or interact with others even when you want or need to
- Physical symptoms like blushing, rapid heart rate, or trembling
- Speaking in an overly quiet voice or stumbling over words because of anxiety
- Becoming nauseous or unable to think clearly
- Worrying that others will judge or dislike you
- Avoiding social situations even when it is detrimental to do so
Three Skills to Develop That Will Help You Cope With Social Anxiety
- Identify what kinds of situations trigger anxiety. The first step to learning to cope with social anxiety is gaining a better understanding of what situations are most and least triggering. This skill will help you feel more prepared for the situations you do encounter.
- Practice ahead of time when you can. Especially if you know a situation might trigger feelings of intense anxiety, practice what will happen and what you will say or do. This can make a big difference if you are prone to ‘going blank’ or becoming tongue-tied in social situations.
- Set yourself up for success by trying out your social skills in low-stakes situations. In order to build confidence, it is important to gain some experience with social interactions. Try out some simple interactions as you go about your daily life. Say ‘hi, how are you?’ to the person at the grocery checkout, or ‘I like your shirt’ to the receptionist at work.
Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment Can Help
Developing some coping skills on your own is a great first step, but many people find that they need some extra help for social anxiety disorder. Finding a therapist or treatment program meant to help people living with social anxiety disorder can make a huge difference in daily life. As mentioned above, social anxiety disorder is a real mental health condition that can be helped by receiving treatment from a professional with experience in it. There are many types of therapy and counseling that are proven to help people living with the condition.
True Life Center Offers Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder
At our treatment center in San Diego, we offer programs and counseling for people living with social anxiety disorder. Our experienced clinicians understand what it takes to help our clients manage their symptoms and start doing the things they want to do in life. You do not have to deal with social anxiety on your own. Reach out to our caring and compassionate staff today at 866.420.1792 and learn how we can help you defeat social anxiety and start living the life you were meant to enjoy.
