Social Anxiety Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Our leading private mental health specialists are here to help you to overcome social anxiety

It's perfectly normal to feel a little uneasy in some social circumstances. You might get the feeling of butterflies in your stomach before important events like dates or presentations at work. However, if you have a social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, normal social interactions can make you feel extremely anxious, self-conscious, and embarrassed because you worry that other people will judge you or look upon you harshly. Anxiety and worry can cause avoidance, which can affect your life if you have a social anxiety disorder. Relationships, daily routines, work, school, and other activities can all be impacted by extreme stress.

With over 35 years of experience in treating mental health problems internationally, we are considered one of the best mental health clinics in the UK, regularly supporting patients to overcome social anxiety and other common mood disorders. Based on many years of experience in treating anxiety disorders, we aim to help you break the cycle of fear and worry. When your anxiety is affecting your life to the extent its constant intrusion leaves you reaching out for help, we will be there for you. Our specialised treatment and therapy day programme at Schoen Clinic Chelsea is designed to improve your insights into your feelings of anxiety and help you build skills to reduce and eliminate them.

What is social anxiety?

Shyness is perceived as a characteristic that describes some people who may be more introverted than others, soft-spoken, or a little less conversational. It isn’t an illness and it is not an indicator necessary that someone has social anxiety. It is perhaps someone being more cautious about speaking until they get to know someone or others or that they prefer to listen first before speaking. Many people who have social anxiety may have these characteristics but their complete avoidance of situations and isolation are indicators of the condition.

Social anxiety disorder defines as an overwhelming, long-lasting fear triggered by social situations. Many people worry about social situations but having social anxiety disorder results in you feeling exceedingly worried before, during and after the event, disproportionate to the level of worry necessary for the situation. Social anxiety often occurs at a very early stage – mostly as early as puberty. Symptoms of social anxiety disorder are grouped into two types: physical and psychological.

Social anxiety is one of several types of anxiety disorders. Other types of anxiety are:

We offer a specialised treatment programme for adults with common anxiety disorders.

What causes social anxiety?

RISK FACTORS & CAUSES OF SOCIAL ANXIETY

As with other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder is likely to be caused by several biological, psychological and environmental factors and an interaction between these. Risk factors for development of social anxiety disorder include:

Genetic vulnerability: sometimes illustrated in family history of social anxiety, or other mental health disorders
Structural abnormalities in the brain associated with the fear response. Over-activation may lead to a heightened fear response, causing increased anxiety in social situations
Issues in brain processes involved in reading others’ behaviour
Experience of parents who are either anxious themselves in social situations or are controlling or overprotective
Underdeveloped social skills
Shy, timid or withdrawn temperament
Experience of an unpleasant or embarrassing social situation, including rejection
Experience of trauma, including abuse and bullying
New social or occupational demands
An appearance or condition that is likely to draw attention (e.g. facial disfigurement or tremors)
Experience of bullying
Experience of conflict

Social anxiety affects people in different ways

Some people with social anxiety experience anxiety during performances rather than anxiety linked to social interactions. In situations like giving a speech, competing in sports, or performing on stage, they experience extreme sensations of anxiousness.

Typically developing in late infancy, social anxiety disorder might resemble severe shyness or a need to avoid social situations or interactions. It affects girls more commonly than males, and this gender disparity is especially obvious in adolescence and early adulthood. Social anxiety disorder can persist for a long time, or perhaps a lifetime, without therapy.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

Symptoms of social anxiety

Feeling shy or uneasy in particular situations is not always a marker of social anxiety disorder. Depending on personality qualities and life experiences, different people are more or less comfortable in social settings. Some people are more reserved than others by nature.

The fear, worry, and avoidance that characterise social anxiety disorder are distinct from normal apprehension because they affect relationships, daily activities, work, school, and other activities. The onset of social anxiety disorder often occurs between the ages of early and mid-teens, however it can also happen in younger children or adults.

Physical symptoms of social anxiety could include:

Upset stomach or nausea
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Heart palpitations
Blushing
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or faintness
Tense or achy muscles
Panic Attacks

Most people occasionally suffer from some form of minor anxiety. If anxiety lasts for a long time, causes major suffering, or affects your life in other ways, it may become serious or develop into a disorder.

Behavioural & psychological symptoms of social anxiety

It's not just physical symptoms you should be aware of when it comes to social anxiety. This form of anxiety can alter your behaviour as well as the way you perceive the world, leading to symptoms like:

A feeling of dread in relation to everyday activities (e.g. meeting strangers or speaking on the phone)
Avoidance of social activities or interactions
Fear of embarrassment
Fear of criticism or judgement
Finding it difficult to do activities if others are watching
Lack of clarity in thoughts
Often feeling like you are being watched and judged
Avoidance of eye contact
Low self-esteem
Emotional hypersensitivity, particularly to judgement or criticism
Alcohol consumption prior to social interaction
Stammer
Highly critical of self

Social anxiety impacts everyday tasks

People with social anxiety may find it difficult to carry out simple everyday tasks, or they'll avoid routine daily situations. They may struggle with things like:

Interacting with strangers or unknown persons
Going to events or meeting up with friends
Having discussions
Going to work or class
Dating
Maintaining eye contact
Stepping into a space where people are already seated
Returning an item to a shop
Eating in public, or in front of others
Using a public toilet/restroom

The signs of social anxiety disorder might evolve over time. If you are dealing with a lot of changes, stress, or expectations in your life, they may flare up. Even though avoiding anxiety-provoking circumstances could help you feel better in the short term if you don't get therapy, your anxiety is likely to persist in the long run.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

Do you have social anxiety?

If you suspect you have social anxiety, it's a good idea to speak to a professional, especially if it's significantly affecting your life. It's a common issue, and there are solutions available. Asking for help can feel challenging, but our mental health specialists will make every effort to make you feel at ease because they are aware that many individuals experience social anxiety.

If you are experiencing ongoing social anxiety, please don't suffer in silence. Avoid attempting to tough it out alone if you feel like everything is becoming too much for you. We offer a variety of outcome-based treatments and therapies for social anxiety at our leading mental health clinic in West London.

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

Treatment for social anxiety

We provide specialised social anxiety treatment at our leading private mental health clinic in London

At Schoen Clinic, we rely on multimodal therapy, which includes both individual and group therapy. The aim of the treatment is for you to learn how to deal better with your social anxiety. We will work with you to set the pace of change and the goals for increasing your coping skills. We will help you gradually develop skills for reducing your social anxiety. In the best case, you will no longer feel socially anxious and completely at ease.

Depending on the severity of your social anxiety and your ability to manage group work and individual therapy, we will agree on a programme of treatment and therapy. For some people working in groups may be the first step to learning new skills. The groups are supportive and understand social anxiety with others in the group able to relate to these experiences.

For those who would benefit from an intensive day programme, we will ensure you have a full weekly review to make sure you are getting the most out of the programme and work to reduce your days with us as soon as possible.

We offer a specialised treatment programme for adults with common anxiety & mood disorders. Learn more about the programme today.

Some of our leading therapies for treating social anxiety in London

We provide the following therapies and interventions. These may be delivered on a 1:1 or group basis by members of the multidisciplinary team.

Individual therapy
Specialised group therapy
Skills development groups
Exposure as a central element
A combination of some or all of the above

Individual therapy for social anxiety

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often the treatment of choice for someone with social anxiety although it is not always the case. Our therapists have a broad knowledge of therapies and we can offer psychodynamic and psychological therapies including CBT. Individual therapy is encouraged on a brief intervention model to optimise the time you spend with your therapist and increase efficacy.

Specialised group therapy for social anxiety

At Schoen Clinic we offer group therapy especially for people experiencing incapacitating anxiety and low mood, including social anxiety. You will learn methods and strategies for coping with or reducing your anxieties. In addition, you will share experiences and helpful strategies with each other, which decrease your feelings of loneliness and increase your self-awareness. The programmes provide an eclectic mix of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and mindfulness/relaxation groups so that participants get a full and rounded treatment experience to promote rapid recovery.

Skills development groups

We offer a wide range of skills development groups for the many difficulties associated with social anxiety. These include:

‘Social skills’ group training
Relaxation training
Mindfulness training
Creative therapy
Coping with depression groups

Exposure as a central element

Attending the day programme can be daunting and it encourages you not to avoid but to take control. Gradual exposure to a stimulus or environment that triggers anxiety is a methodology that helps to reduce anxiety as are incrementally supported to build coping strategies to deal with the anxiety provoking situation. We therefore understand that gradually building up to attending groups can be helpful to some. Others may want to take advantage of our small groups and full programme, this exposure may be difficult to begin with but can quickly reduce as you experience positivity and acceptance among your peers at the clinic.

LEADING PRIVATE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN LONDON

Specialised treatment programme for adults with anxiety & mood disorders

At our renowned London mental health clinic, we provide highly specialised help, support and treatment for common mental health disorders.

Adults suffering from disorders like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), stress, low mood, emotional trauma, low self-esteem, or bipolar disorder can access a variety of therapeutic treatments through our specialised intensive treatment programme.

Find out more today. Scan the QR code or visit the link below.

LEADING PRIVATE ANXIETY TREATMENT IN LONDON

Why choose Schoen Clinic Chelsea for your private anxiety treatment?

Schoen Clinic Chelsea is one of the top mental health facilities in London. We've been assisting people with mental health issues for more than 35 years as a part of an international hospital group that sees 300,000 patients annually.

At Schoen Clinic, we offer social anxiety treatment in line with the latest evidence-based research from leading authorities on anxiety and mood disorders. For the best chance at recovery and relapse prevention, we use outcome-focused practices that have been tried and tested.

Our personalised approach means we design the programme of treatment around your needs and symptoms and we will frequently review your programme as a multidisciplinary team. Our multidisciplinary team consists of consultant psychiatrists, nurses, psychotherapists/psychologists, family therapists and occupational therapists. They will apply a consistent and empathic approach to working with you and ensure they support you in all aspects of your life.

Get in touch with the team today.

Tel: +44 20 4571 3259
Email: CHE-enquiries@schoen-clinic.co.uk

Start your treatment journey today. For fast access to specialised private mental health treatment in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, you can use your health insurance or simply fund your own treatment. Call our caring team direct on +44 20 4571 6312 or email us today.

Social anxiety Frequently asked questions

Social anxiety FAQs

If you're experiencing a moment of anxiety, take a moment to pause. Breathe deeply. Slowly inhale and exhale. Slowly count up to 10. Repeat as necessary, counting to 20.
Take a break when you need to. Try yoga, music, meditation, massages, yoga, or learning relaxation methods. Taking a step back from the issue might help you think more clearly.
Eat meals that are balanced and have wholesome, energising foods on hand.
Find out what makes you anxious. Do you know if it's related to job, family, school, or anything else?
Keep a diary. When you're experiencing stress or anxiety, write in a journal and search for patterns.
Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine since these might amplify anxiety and cause panic attacks.
Ensure you get a good amount of exercise each day to help you release energy and maintain good physical health.
Get adequate rest. Your body needs sleep and rest, especially while you're under stress.
Instead of trying to achieve perfection, which is impossible, just do your best and celebrate yourself for your progress, no matter how big or small.
Recognize that there are things you cannot control. Consider whether your stress is actually as severe as you believe it to be.
Try to keep an optimistic outlook and aim to think of good thoughts instead of negative ones.
Volunteering or finding another method to become involved in your community might help you build a support system and take a break from the stress of everyday life.
Speak with someone. Inform your loved ones that you're feeling overburdened and let them know how they may support you.

Nearly 30% of individuals have an anxiety disorder at some point in their life, making it the most prevalent of all mental illnesses.

However, there are a variety of efficient therapies for anxiety disorders. Most people who get treatment can live regular, fulfilling lives.

Childhood, adolescence, or adulthood traumatic events are frequently the start of anxiety disorders. Being subjected to stress and trauma when you're very young is probably going to have a significant effect.

Abuse, either physically or emotionally, is one experience that might set off anxiety issues.

Excessive anxiety may be brought on by a major incident or a combination of lesser stressful life circumstances. A loss in the family, work stress, or persistent financial worries can all be factors.
Personality types. Anxiety disorders are more likely to affect some personality types than others.
Other associated mental health problems.

A physical examination, questions about your symptoms, and a blood test are all steps in the diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. This allows the doctor to rule out other conditions, such hypothyroidism, that could be contributing to your symptoms.

Your doctor could inquire about any drugs you are currently taking.

Psychotherapy and medications are the two common approaches to treating anxiety disorders.

A combination of the two could work best together for you.

Although the median age of onset is 30, the variation of age at the time of onset is fairly wide.

Patients who claim that their GAD symptoms appeared later in life frequently state that a substantial stressful event in their lives was the cause of their symptoms.

For treating anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered to be the most effective type of psychotherapy.

CBT, which is often a short-term therapy, focuses on teaching you specific techniques to reduce your symptoms and eventually resume the things you've put off due to worry.