SOCIAL PHOBIA

Social Phobia is fear or anxiety about social situations, specifically as it relates to other people’s judgments. This may include performance related fear (public speaking, performing on stage,…) or may be related to general social interaction (fear of embarrassing oneself).

Treatment for social anxiety involves a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure Therapy. In CBT and ACT, we examine the thought patterns that maintain social anxiety. For most people, these include fears of embarrassing yourself, making mistakes, or being rejected. We spend time noticing these thoughts and learning how to respond to them differently. This includes adjusting unhelpful thinking and practicing defusion, recognizing thoughts as temporary mental events rather than evidence of real danger.

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A core part of treatment is learning to tolerate discomfort, especially the physical and emotional sensations that arise when you face feared situations. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, the goal is to build confidence in your ability to experience it without avoidance or control.

Exposure to social situations is a key part of this work. Exposure therapy does not have to be as intimidating as it sounds. Exposures are guided by your values, meaning we focus on situations that matter to you. If you feel frustrated about avoiding eating out with friends, an exposure may involve ordering food at a restaurant. If you have been avoiding meeting new people, an exposure may involve joining a new social group. Over time, repeated exposure helps disconfirm feared outcomes and reduces anxiety naturally. By facing fears directly, without relying on safety behaviors or reassurance, you can retrain your brain’s response to uncertainty and build lasting change.

Anxiety Disorder Association for America: ADAA is a national association that focuses on the the research and treatment of all anxiety disorders.  It also has excellent general information about various anxiety disorders and research.  

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Bio-behavioral Institute: A research based clinic that focuses on OCD and other anxiety disorders in New York.​