Do you always feel embarrassed or fear that people are judging you in a negative light? You are not alone. Social anxiety disorder is a common challenge that many people face that disrupts daily lives.
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety is more than just shyness or a fleeting sense of nervousness. It is a persistent and crushing fear of social situations where you might be judged, scrutinized, or embarrassed.
Understanding Social Anxiety
You may find that the fear of being judged by others is so overpowering that it keeps you from doing the things you want or need to do. You might feel you’re always walking on eggshells, worried that you’ll say or do something that will embarrass you.
As a result, these fears can overwhelm and lead to social avoidance, which makes your anxiety worse. In a forced social setting, you might blush, sweat, shake, or struggle to talk. Such physical reactions intensify the fear, creating a difficult pattern to escape.
Causes and Risk Factors
Several elements can possibly influence the development of social anxiety. While it can emerge gradually, sometimes a single, distressing social incident can trigger its onset. Here are several factors:
- Personality – Being shy, overly cautious, or sensitive to criticism can increase your risk.
- Genetics – If you have family members with social anxiety, you’re more likely to have it.
- Trauma – Negative social experiences like bullying, teasing, or traumatic events.
- Environment – Growing up in a home with overly critical or anxious parents can also be a factor.
Our Approach to Treatment
We provide customized treatment options here in Ottawa Centre for Cognitive Therapy (CCT) to help you achieve your unique goals. Our highly experienced therapists use cognitive therapy, a proven approach to manage anxiety. Similar to treating specific phobias, we often incorporate exposure therapy techniques to help you face your fears gradually.
Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Ready to take the next step towards overcoming your social anxiety?
Our unique matching process considers your specific needs and preferences to connect you with a therapist who can provide the best possible care. Contact us today for an appointment.