Social situations can often make people feel anxious and most of the time this does not significantly affect people’s lives.

However, social anxiety disorder is characterised by intense fear or anxiety when in social situations. In these situations, people believe they will be judged negatively by others in terms of their personal qualities, abilities, or performance. Typically, this will have caused a problem to the person for 6 months or longer.

Due to the high levels of anxiety experienced in social situations, people are likely to avoid them where possible, and often take measures to try to cope with or mask anxiety where social interactions are inevitable.

This problem can have a significant impact on people’s ability to engage with typical activities of daily living including school, work, and socialising. Social anxiety can often be experienced with depression and other anxiety disorders including panic, general anxiety disorder, and PTSD.

Social anxiety disorder is estimated to affect up to 12% of the population.

The evidence-based psychological treatment for social anxiety is individual Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

Due to the nature of social anxiety, people do not always seek help early. In the case of chronic and more severe social anxiety, a more intensive course of therapy may be required.

An assessment at OHSPIC will include use of standardised questionnaires that assess the severity of the problem, how it impacts on daily life, what thoughts and beliefs are associated with the problem, and an assessment of other difficulties.

CBT at OHSPIC includes:

• Establishing a collaborative relationship between the person experiencing social anxiety and the therapist.
• Developing a shared understanding of the problem.
• Developing an understanding of the factors that maintain social anxiety.
• Collaboratively establishing goals for treatment.
• Identifying and working on beliefs about social situations, social performance, social skills, and others’ perceptions.
• Agreeing how to approach change and experimenting in social situations.
• Addressing any traumatic memories.
• Devising a plan to help maintain progress and work towards longer term goals.