What is Social Phobia? Understanding Social Anxiety

Social phobia, which is sometimes also called social anxiety disorder, is characterised by the dread, fear and anxiety that comes before and during social situations.

The terms ‘social anxiety’ and ‘social phobia’ are often used to describe the same experience.

At first, you may be keen and excited about an upcoming social situation, especially if it is some way off. But then as it gets closer you start to worry about it. It could be about being judged for your appearance or what you may say or do when you go out. You start to worry about making an idiot of yourself, having nothing to say, struggling to meet people or being there and feeling uncomfortable.

Your anxiety drives your imagination to start thinking of all the things that could go wrong. There are just so many potential pitfalls and opportunities to mess up. It doesn’t matter if it is a social thing, work thing or something else. You worry about being judged and what others think. You don’t feel good enough. And your social phobia can make it seem easier to make an excuse and avoid it. You get the immediate relief from escape but the social anxiety persists.

For a long time I struggled with what would now usually be called social anxiety. Looking back, I became very good at hiding it from other people, but internally I was constantly analysing myself, worrying what others thought and dreading certain situations. I worried about people noticing my anxiety, discomfort or quietness (which felt like the worst possible thing that could happen at the time). Before events I would worry about what to wear, how I’d come across and whether I’d have anything to say or would simply be seen as quiet and boring.

Afterwards came the negative analysis and self criticism. I would find myself worrying about what I may have said and how others perceived it. I could feel anxious about seeing that person again. I would overthink, dwell and find myself going over and over perceived mess ups and things that just confirmed I wasn’t good enough. There was a constant stream of inner critical and negative self talk. It ran on and on in my head.

You probably have those certain people you are comfortable around. With these people you can just relax and be yourself. Yet, with social phobia, that persistent dread, fear and anxiety about social situations limits you and makes you uncomfortable. You excessively worry about being messing up or being judged. You just can’t relax and enjoy social situations.

Like all anxiety, there is the habitual pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that create the self re-enforcing, ongoing cycle of social anxiety. However, it is very possible and achievable to take back control over your own mind so that you feel more calm, confident and in control.

If you’re looking for support with social anxiety in Ely or Newmarket, you can find the main information page here:  Social Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

You can also read real client experiences here: Hypnotherapy Reviews in Ely.

Many people describe overcoming the same overthinking, fear of judgement and self-consciousness that social anxiety creates.

 

Quick Summary

Social phobia (also known as social anxiety) involves an ongoing fear of being judged, criticised or negatively evaluated by other people.

Many people experience:

– fear before social situations
– overthinking conversations
– physical anxiety symptoms
– worry about what other people think
– avoidance of social situations

This article explains what social phobia is, why it develops and how anxiety patterns can begin changing.

 

Social Phobia and Social Anxiety Disorder

Social phobia involves a persistent and excessive fear of social situations where you feel like you may be judged, scrutinised or criticised. You feel anxious, stressed and worried about these situations. This leads to avoidance or excessive overthinking, worry and dread.

You can struggle with excessive self-consciousness, fear of failure and being negatively evaluated. You avoid certain situations, but then you may worry what people think because you pulled out or aren’t there. When in these social situations, you run a constant stream of inner dialogue that can stop you communicating and listening effectively.

You struggle with physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, discomfort and sweating. This can add to your worry because people may notice you are uncomfortable and so you start thinking they may think you are a failure, an idiot or weird in some way.

It isn’t exactly known how social phobia is caused, however, previous experiences of being bullied, criticised, singled out or mocked can all play a part. At some point you start thinking you aren’t like other people who seem to find social things so easily. You start to believe that you aren’t good enough and this then dictates what you do and how you do it. This then confirms to you that you struggle with social situations. It can impact on your ability to form relationships, join in and enjoy social situations and how well you perform certain aspects in your study or work.

It can drain the enjoyment from your life because you spend so much time lost inside your own head. All of your thinking, focus and imagination spirals with what could go wrong and how catastrophic it would be if you were judged negatively by others or you socially fail in some way.

If social anxiety has been affecting your confidence, relationships or enjoyment of life, you can learn more about Anxiety Hypnotherapy in Ely or arrange a free consultation to discuss what might help.

 

Help For Social Anxiety

It’s normal to experience some nervousness before a big meeting or presentation. And it’s common to feel a bit of adrenaline from the excitement of a social occasion.

But with social phobia, your heart can race, your mouth goes dry and you struggle to think. You’ll hate those moments when you feel in the spotlight and everyone is looking at you. Just the thought of making small talk at a party may leave your stomach in knots and you may avoid it altogether. Occasional moments of discomfort are one thing, with social anxiety these thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming and an ever present battle. Even some everyday interactions can be enough to spark the fear, worry, overthinking and dread.

All of those social interactions cause you great irrational anxiety as you worry and worry about being judged, embarrassed or humiliated in some way. The situations may vary but can even include everyday situations such as eating in front of others, talking on the phone, asking for help, accepting compliments, introducing yourself or giving an opinion.

Whatever the social situations that generate anxiety, you fear being judged, scrutinised or found to be lacking. You don’t want to stand out and you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. You will avoid some social situations and intensely worry about upcoming events, sometimes weeks in advance.

However, because the science and evidence shows that it is an irrational anxiety, it is very possible to change those patterns that currently overshadow your life.

 

Related Social Anxiety Articles

You may also find these helpful:

• What Social Anxiety Really Feels Like
• Why Social Anxiety Feels So Exhausting
• Social Anxiety and Self Criticism
• Why We Think People Notice Us More Than They Do
• Social Anxiety vs Low Confidence
• How to Stop Overthinking in Social Situations
• Anxiety and Worrying What Other People Think

Anxiety often isn’t just one thing. I’ve gathered supportive resources on my anxiety hypnotherapy hub.

 

A Local Perspective

In my work as an anxiety therapist in Ely, social anxiety is one of the most common reasons people contact me.

Many people initially believe they simply lack confidence. In reality, they are often caught in a cycle of overthinking, self-monitoring and fear of judgement.

When those patterns begin changing, people often find they feel calmer, more comfortable and far more able to be themselves around others.

 

Social Phobia and Anxiety Support

If social anxiety has been causing worry, avoidance, overthinking or fear of judgement, support is available.

A free initial consultation gives us the opportunity to talk things through and understand what might help.

Whether social anxiety has affected you for months or years, things can become much easier when the underlying patterns begin to change.

Social phobia hypnotherapy teaches you how to take control over your thoughts, feelings, actions and reactions so that you feel calm, confident and in control in social situations. Rather than being things to avoid, they become things you can purposefully look forward to and enjoy.

To your health and happiness, 

Dan Regan

Anxiety Therapy and Hypnotherapy in  Ely & Newmarket

 

Struggling with social phobia, anxiety, stress, worry and fear and need some help? Find out how I can help with a Complimentary Hypnotherapy Strategy Session. Learn more here: Appointments

Find out what dozens of other people have said after their anxiety hypnotherapy sessions with Dan: Hypnotherapy Testimonials

And check out these powerful hypnosis downloads that can start helping you right away to tackle anxiety, boost confidence and more: Hypnosis Downloads