What is the fastest way to relieve social anxiety?
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These 9 strategies offer a place to begin.
- Talk with a therapist.
- Explore specific situations that trigger anxiety.
- Challenge negative thoughts.
- Take small steps.
- Role-play with people you trust.
- Try relaxation techniques.
- Practice acts of kindness.
- Limit alcohol.
Psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is especially useful for treating social anxiety disorder. CBT teaches you different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help you feel less anxious and fearful. It can also help you learn and practice social skills.
Can exposure therapy help you overcome social anxiety disorder?
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD) can help you overcome fears of specific social and performance situations.
If you have social anxiety, you most likely face these types of situations with fear and dread or avoid them completely. This strategy can sustain your anxiety in the long term. While avoiding situations you fear might alleviate your distress in the short term, you are teaching yourself that you can’t handle those triggers.
One of the more difficult fears associated with social anxiety disorder is a phobia of using public restrooms. 2 This fear can impact your ability to function and may lead to isolation and the desire not to leave home.
Why am I afraid to eat in public with social anxiety?
People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who are afraid to eat in public are generally fearful that they will embarrass themselves while eating. 2 Exposure therapy for this fear involves gradually engaging in more difficult situations involving eating in front of others.