Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is more than just feeling nervous in social situations.
It's a real mental health challenge that can deeply affect how we connect with others and navigate our daily lives.
If you've been feeling overwhelmed by social interactions, it’s important to understand what social anxiety is and how you can manage it with the right support.
Let’s dive into this topic and explore how you can take steps to feel better and regain control over your life.
The Difference Between Social Anxiety and Shyness
Shyness is a common, temporary feeling of discomfort when faced with unfamiliar social situations, like meeting new people or speaking in front of a crowd.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), however, is persistent and can interfere with day-to-day activities.
While shyness may cause mild discomfort, social anxiety leads to intense fear of being judged or rejected, even in situations where others may not feel threatened.
This can cause people to avoid valuable social, academic, or professional opportunities, which can make the anxiety worse over time.
Unlike shyness, social anxiety is more than just occasional nervousness—it's a constant fear of being negatively evaluated by others.
Activities that most people might find routine, like attending a social event, speaking in public, or even meeting new people, can become overwhelming.
As a result, people with social anxiety often withdraw from social situations, which can lead to isolation and increased anxiety.
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder occurs when the fear of social situations becomes so intense that it disrupts your ability to function, whether at work, in school, or in personal relationships. Common symptoms of social anxiety include:
Excessive worry about social situations, sometimes weeks or months in advance
Intense fear of being judged or humiliated
Physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating or shaking
Nausea, upset stomach, or dizziness
Difficulty speaking or making eye contact
A strong desire to avoid social situations
According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) and the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition), Social Anxiety Disorder is diagnosed when social situations cause significant distress and avoidance, leading to a reduction in daily functioning.
In the ICD-10, social anxiety is classified as F40.1 (Social Phobia).
How Social Anxiety Affects Daily Life and Work Performance
Social anxiety can have a significant impact on both personal and professional life.
People with this condition may struggle with tasks like speaking up in meetings, engaging in casual conversations, or attending social events, such as office parties or networking gatherings.
They may avoid these situations entirely, leading to missed opportunities for social or career advancement.
Research shows that social anxiety can significantly reduce work performance.
A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that individuals with social anxiety often have difficulty in roles requiring social interaction and communication, which can negatively affect their professional lives (Heimberg et al., 2014).
Avoidance behaviors—such as skipping meetings or avoiding networking events—can further isolate individuals and limit their opportunities for growth.
This can ultimately lead to job dissatisfaction and hinder career advancement.
In some cases, the anxiety becomes so overwhelming that it can cause absenteeism from work altogether.
Research published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders found that people with social anxiety are more likely to experience work absenteeism, contributing to stress and decreased productivity (Bauer et al., 2011).
Effective Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder
The good news is that social anxiety is highly treatable, and there are several effective options available.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the following treatments have been proven to work:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective treatments for social anxiety. It focuses on helping individuals recognize and challenge the negative thoughts that fuel their anxiety.
CBT also incorporates exposure therapy, where people gradually confront the situations that cause fear in a safe, controlled way. Research has shown that CBT significantly reduces symptoms of social anxiety.
A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that CBT leads to substantial improvement in social anxiety, with lasting benefits for many individuals (Hofmann et al., 2012).
Medication: In some cases, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed to help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety.
While medication can provide short-term relief, therapy—especially CBT—remains the most effective long-term treatment option.
If you’re considering medication as part of your treatment plan, it’s important to always seek guidance from your GP or psychiatrist to ensure the right medication and dosage for your individual needs.
Lifestyle Changes: NICE also recommends lifestyle changes to help manage social anxiety.
Incorporating regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and reducing caffeine intake can all contribute to lower anxiety levels.
Additionally, learning relaxation techniques like deep breathing can be useful for managing acute anxiety during social situations.
With the right treatment, social anxiety can be managed, and you can regain confidence in social settings, including at work and in your personal life.
How Shenwise Can Help
At Shenwise, we understand how challenging social anxiety can be, especially when it affects your professional and personal life.
Whether you're just starting to experience these symptoms or have been struggling with anxiety for a while, we’re here to support you.
Using evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we help you understand the underlying thoughts that fuel your anxiety and provide strategies to confront and challenge them.
Our approach is personalized to your needs, giving you the tools and support necessary to reduce anxiety and build confidence in social situations.
You don’t have to face this alone. If you’re ready to take the first step toward overcoming social anxiety, we’re here to help.
Contact us today for a free 15-minute consultation, and let’s begin your journey toward healing and recovery.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
Bauer, L. L., & Yeo, G. W. (2011). Social anxiety disorder and work absenteeism. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(2), 187-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.11.003
Heimberg, R. G., Brozovich, F. A., & Rapee, R. M. (2014). A cognitive-behavioral model of social anxiety disorder: Update and extension. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 37(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2014.05.002
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1
International Classification of Diseases. (2016). International classification of diseases 10th revision (ICD-10). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2013). Social anxiety disorder: Recognition, assessment, and treatment (CG159). NICE. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg159