What is social anxiety?
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an enduring and overwhelming fear of social situations. The anxiety revolves around the fear of judgement, scrutiny or rejection.
Social anxiety is different from ordinary shyness. It can lead people to avoid routine activities and contend with persistent physical symptoms. It significantly disrupts daily life, which can cause distress. It can affect even the most mundane activities, like speaking to someone on the phone or going shopping.
People with social anxiety disorder may be aware that their fears are irrational but feel powerless to overcome them.
It’s estimated that as many as 8 million people struggle with social anxiety disorder. It often first takes root during adolescent years, with most developing it before they read their twenties.
There are numerous ways to manage symptoms as well as confronting and conquering these fears. Talking therapies like hypnotherapy help to untangle the web of social anxieties. With hypnotherapy for social anxiety, there’s a chance to live a vibrant and fulfilling life.
12% of people may develop social anxiety disorder at some point
70% of the time, social phobia is the result of anxiety conditions
19% of people with social anxiety disorder also suffer from depression
What causes it?
Social anxiety disorder typically emerges during people’s teenage years, often triggered by situations like meeting new people or public speaking.
Several factors can contribute towards its development, including bullying, overbearing parents or a history of abuse. Childhood trauma or neglect may cause you to develop insecure attachment, which can play a part in it.
A shy childhood or health conditions that draw attention to your appearance or voice can also contribute. These negative experiences can lead to a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with social anxiety as a symptom.
Anxiety disorders may run in families, though whether due to genetic or environmental factors remains unclear.
What are the symptoms & effects?
You might feel dread about talking to strangers, worry about how others perceive you, and constantly fear embarrassing moments. When you’re around other people, you may experience discomfort, a racing heart, your mind ‘going blank’ or difficulty with eye contact.
Social anxiety can lead you to avoid social situations. It can influence your daily activities, causing you to miss out on enjoyable moments and opportunities. You might find yourself organising your life around your symptoms, impacting family activities, friendships and hobbies.
It can also affect your career choices and behaviour in the workplace. Even if you’re fully capable, you might avoid promotions, fearing the prospect of leading meetings or presenting to a team. You might avoid asking questions and resist participating in networking opportunities.
Forming long-term relationships can be challenging for people with social anxiety disorder. This is often the case for around half of those with severe social anxiety, especially among men.
How can it be managed?
You can improve your social interactions and boost your self-esteem with several strategies. Seeking professional support is also a proactive step, especially if social anxiety significantly affects your daily life. Consider talking to your GP for support and guidance in managing social anxiety.
Build confidence through preparation
Elevate your confidence by preparing for social situations. Break them down into smaller parts and practise relaxation exercises beforehand. Equip yourself with conversation topics so you will be sure you have something you can talk about comfortably. You can also reduce some anxiety by asking people for details in advance, like timings, who else is going, where to go when you arrive or an agenda for a work meeting.
Small steps, big progress
Start with small, enjoyable activities, like sharing meals with friends or making friendly eye contact. Initiate conversations gradually, expressing curiosity about others. Transition to more significant social activities as your comfort builds.
Shift your focus outward for connection
Direct attention outward, focusing on your surroundings and trying not to dwell on your inner thoughts. Actively engage in conversations and focus on what people are saying, rather than worrying about their perceptions of you. Embrace the positive impact of showing genuine interest and presence with people.
Celebrate your progress and have patience
Overcoming social anxiety is a rewarding, gradual process. Don’t put pressure on yourself to confront major fears immediately. Everyone’s pace will be different. Embrace personal growth and positive social experiences. Allow yourself space to progress comfortably and take time to celebrate your milestones.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy for social anxiety helps you reshape your thinking patterns for a more positive and empowering mindset. It also provides you with the tools to manage your symptoms and improve your participation in social situations.
By accessing the subconscious mind, your hypnotherapist will help you to uncover the patterns that are resulting in your negative habits, behaviours and avoidance techniques. Hypnotherapy for social anxiety gently transforms the way your subconscious mind reacts to both real and imagined situations. It will enable you to overcome negative self-talk around social situations, reframing these thoughts into more positive beliefs.
Through hypnosis, you’ll be able to engage in a truly relaxed state. You’ll learn relaxation techniques that can help you effectively manage anxiety in social situations. Hypnosis also offers a way for you to gradually confront your fears within a safe environment. You’ll be able to practise social skills, boosting your self-esteem and building confidence in your ability to handle social situations.
Collaborating with a skilled hypnotherapist becomes a supportive partnership during hypnotherapy for social anxiety. Together, you work on the uplifting task of changing your mindset, equipping you with the techniques to lead a more fulfilling life.
Our Social Anxiety Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
