Social Anxiety Disorder
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety goes beyond shyness. It’s an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations — conversations, meetings, public speaking, phone calls. People with social anxiety often avoid these situations or spend hours replaying interactions afterward. Over time, the avoidance can significantly limit your career, relationships, and daily life.
What It Can Look Like
- You dread social situations because you're afraid of saying the wrong thing or being judged
- You avoid conversations, meetings, or gatherings — or endure them with intense discomfort
- Your body reacts — blushing, sweating, shaky hands, racing heart
- After an interaction, you replay it over and over, picking apart what you said
- You start dreading events days or weeks before they happen
How I Can Help
Treatment involves gradually facing the social situations you’ve been avoiding. I use exposure therapy to build confidence step by step, often alongside ACT to help you act on your values even when anxiety is present. Most people find that as they start showing up in feared situations, the anxiety decreases on its own.