Do you often find it difficult to engage in conversation when meeting new people?
Have you experienced fear being in unfamiliar environments? Maybe you avoid social outings because they aren’t your cup of tea, or maybe you have been missing meetings at work due to a fear of speaking in front of your office. If you are experiencing significant distress during social interactions, you may be displaying symptoms of social anxiety disorder. It can feel scary not know how to get through anxiety and panic in social settings. As well, if your child is suffering from social anxiety, you may want positive parenting tools from therapy.
Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is a prevalent disorder.
With that said, social anxiety may come and go. As well, social anxiety symptoms impact individuals of various ages. Did you know that social anxiety can occur at any stage of life? Sometimes, there is a stressor that occurs. Fortunately, social anxiety does not have to dictate your life any longer. Professional therapy helps you feel strong, confident, and clear headed.
Working with a holistic therapist in Southeastern Connecticut who specializes with anxiety can help you overcome fear, gain confidence, and reclaim your life.
What are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder?
First, a prominent symptom of social anxiety disorder is a persistent fear of a social situation. Often, children, teens and adults fear they may be scrutinized or criticized by others. A child or adult may be concerned that they will be negatively evaluated or seen as incapable. Sometimes, a person with anxiety gets perceived as weak, boring, or unlikable. But, it is just that they are struggling with social anxiety.
How do symptoms of social anxiety get in the way of building a beautiful life?
At times, when anxiety is high, it can feel like you are stuck. Maybe, it feels like being in quicksand. Or, it feels like having your two feet stuck in mud. It is hard to unstick anxious thoughts without the help of a professional therapist. Right now, with social anxiety, it might feel like your mind goes in circles of fears. Then, going in public, with social anxiety, can feel challenging. So, an individual may fear that they will be judged by others for displaying signs of anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety include blushing, trembling, sweating, crying, freezing up, stumbling over words, or staring. In counseling, your therapist can help you understand your sign and specific anxiety symptoms. From there, you and your therapist can build a self-care plan to help notice signs of social anxiety and release.
Sometimes, children and adult begin to cry out of social anxiety and feel socially ostracized.
This fear of scrutiny or public humiliation can often lead one to feel embarrassed if they have a panic attack in a social setting. Past experiences of bullying or feeling like a social outcast may cause a child, teenager, or adult to socially isolate. So, a person learns to avoid situations in which these symptoms arise. A child or adult may avoid situations that cause anxiety, but this can limit life and cause problems at work. For example, an individual with fear of sweating may avoid shaking hands with others. Or, a child with a fear of large groups may avoid eating lunch in the cafeteria, and start skipping lunch. Positive coping tools through holistic therapy in Southeastern Connecticut can be very help for overcoming social anxiety.
To begin, book a phone consult below to work with an anxiety specialist in Southeastern Connecticut.
This segways into another common symptom of social anxiety which is avoidance.
An individual with social anxiety may avoid doing tasks or speaking with others out of fear of embarrassment. So, a person may avoid situations in which they might be the center of attention. Even if a child has a great voice and can sing their heart out, their social anxiety holds them back from trying out for the talent show. Additionally, an adult may cancel fun plans with friends at the last minute out of social anxiety. As well, social anxiety can impact running errands, attending an interview, going to a birthday party, giving a presentation, or even meeting up with an acquaintance for coffee. Lastly, working with a holistic therapist in Southeastern Connecticut supports lifelong coping tools for social anxiety.
Another symptom you may find yourself experiencing is an extensive analysis of your performance after engaging in a social situation.
You may be over critical about a recent conversation or presentation you engaged in. Sometimes, people with anxiety have a big inner critic. Maybe, you want to work in holistic therapy in Southeastern Connecticut to build up positive self-talk. Therapy can help you believe in yourself. You may believe you performed poorly or you may feel embarrassed by your presentation skills. Having a therapist in your corner can help you feel even 1% more confident.
What does social anxiety look and feel like?
Well, the degree and type of anxiety that arises can vary by person or occasion. Someone who is approaching a social event in the near future may experience anticipatory anxiety. Therefore, it can look like worrying everyday for weeks before attending the event. Or, anticipatory anxiety excessively may include repeating a speech for days in advance. In therapy, you can build anxiety strategies. If you feel your anxiety is interfering with your happiness or daily life, reach out for holistic therapy in Southeastern Connecticut.
Another common type of anxiety that can occur in response to social situations is panic attacks.
Common symptoms of panic attacks include a racing heart, feeling faint or dizzy, shaking, tingling or numbness in the hands, feeling sweaty or having chills, nausea, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and a sense of unreality. Sometimes, adults begin crying, and become unable to speak out of social anxiety. As well, children and teenagers may also freeze up and feel like they can’t talk when experiencing anxiety. In children, social anxiety may be expressed through crying, tantrums, freezing, clinging, shrinking, or failing to speak in social situations. Sometimes, children with anxiety show anger out of sensory overload and overwhelm.
How will working with a therapist in Southeastern Connecticut help me overcome social anxiety?
It is clear that social anxiety can often be debilitating, which further points to the importance of seeking the help of a professional therapist. A therapist can assist you in overcoming social anxiety by helping you to understand the root of your fears. Plus, you can gain social emotional confidence, improve social skills, and provide tools to manage and cope with anxiety. In counseling, your therapist helps you notice irrational fears as well as where the anxiety may be coming from.
To begin, book a phone consult below to work with an anxiety specialist in Southeastern Connecticut.
At Wisdom Within Counseling in Niantic, Connecticut, our therapists bring a creative and holistic approach to therapy.
Having symptoms of social anxiety can feel paralyzing. Therefore, one way our therapists in Southeastern Connecticut can help you to conquer social anxiety is through drama therapy. Drama therapy makes therapy fun, playful, and a positive experience. In addition, drama therapy is great for all ages, children, adults, and families. As well, you can create outlets for stress. Your therapist may take on the role of a boss or a close friend and practice engaging in a conversation with you. Or, your therapist might teach you effective presentation skills. In drama therapy, your therapist encourages you to act out and role play during a session. As well, role play in holistic therapy in Southeastern Connecticut supports flexible thinking and resilience.
Yoga is a wonderful tool that can help you to alleviate anxiety and gain confidence.
Another approach your therapist might present is yoga therapy. In yoga therapy sessions, you can learn how to calm your body and mind through simple postures and breath work. The team at Wisdom Within Counseling offer mind-body, somatic therapies to build self-acceptance. At Wisdom Within Counseling, you get options beyond traditional talk counseling such as art therapies and drama therapies.
Creative and holistic therapies in Southeastern Connecticut reduce symptoms of social anxiety
Your creative therapist might teach you breathing techniques for anxiety. So, you can utilize the skill from therapy if you anticipate anxiety before a conversation or important meeting. Focusing on slowing down your breath significantly calms the parasympathetic nervous system and improves well being. The team at Wisdom Within Counseling love offering self-nurturing, and teaching how to release intense emotions in healthy ways.
Additional tips to manage social anxiety
In addition to yoga and breathing techniques, another tip for controlling social anxiety is through physical exercise such as running. Now, exercise, yoga, or jogging are self-care activities that you can do at home. Engaging in physical activity throughout the week can contribute to decreased anxiety and improve mood. Plus, walking gently for 10-30 minutes a day is amazing for reducing anxiety. As well, lowering anxiety takes time and lifestyle changes.
Another tip for social anxiety
Another tip for managing social anxiety is to prepare for it ahead of time. If you anticipate anxiety during an upcoming social event, you can prepare for what’s to come to help you feel more confident. Now, this may look like reading recent articles to find topics to talk about. Or, you could begin doing relaxation exercises before you leave the house to feel strong.
Start small
An additional way to face social anxiety is to start with small social encounters such as scheduling a coffee date with a coworker or family member, or saying hello to a stranger in passing at the grocery store. This way, you can begin to feel comfortable tackling simple social interactions before moving onto large scale ones.
A last helpful tip in managing social anxiety is to become consciously aware of your harmful thoughts.
Using a journal may be helpful for this, as you can write down any negative thoughts or beliefs you have recently experienced. Writing feelings and emotions down is a great coping strategy. Journaling is a great way to get what may feel suck in your mind, out on paper. Sometimes, people create a routine of journal for 10 minutes before bed. Other times, people journal on as as needed basis. And, you can read it and collect your thoughts. As well, you can bring your journal to your therapy session to share.
Use positive thoughts to overcome social anxiety
Once you have become aware of negative thoughts that create worse anxiety, you can change them. One of the symptoms of social anxiety is having racing thoughts. Right now, it might feel like your thoughts are overwhelming. It might feel like you need mental clarity over your anxious thoughts. With your therapist, you can begin to challenge thoughts with positive beliefs about yourself.
What are symptoms of social anxiety in the mind?
In a moment of anxiety, you may think, “i can’t do this. I am weak. It is impossible to get though.” With the gentle help of a holistic therapist, you can playfully work with your mind. You can start to work through negative thoughts and look at strengthening your mind. For instance, you may say, “I am confident in myself,” “I will focus on the positive parts of my experience.” And, you may say, “I am proud of myself for having such a thoughtful conversation just now.” “I am proud of being me.” Social anxiety does not have to impede on your growth any longer.
We would love to work with you and your child.
The team at Wisdom Within Counseling in Southeastern Connecticut specialize in social anxiety and phobias. We would love to help you and your family build positive coping tools to overcome anxiety. Holistic therapies provide lifelong coping tools for anxiety.
If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of social anxiety and it is holding you back in life, reach out to a holistic therapist at Wisdom Within Counseling for help managing and overcoming your symptoms.
We offer anxiety counseling to neighboring towns including Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cos Cob, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Georgetown, Greenwich, Hawleyville, Monroe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Norwalk, Old Greenwich, Redding, Redding Center, Redding Ridge, Ridgefield, Riverside, Sandy Hook, Shelton, Sherman, Southport, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. As well, our team offers counseling services to Litchfield county. These towns include Bantam, Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, East Canaan, Falls Village, Gaylordsville, Goshen, Harwinton, Kent, Lakeside, Lakeville, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, New Milford, New Preston, Marble Dale, Norfolk, Northfield, Oakville, Pequabuck, Pine Meadow, Plymouth, Riverton, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, South Kent, Taconic, Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, Washington, Washington Depot, Watertown, West Cornwall, Winchester Center, Winsted, and Woodbury. So, video therapy is offered as a positive way to build healthy coping tools.
