Social anxiety is a very common form of anxiety and impacts 12.1% of people over the age of 18 in the United States each year.1 While there is no permanent cure for anxiety disorders, there are several tips for social anxiety that can help you overcome any apprehension or fear of being in public or talking with others.
At Arkview Recovery in Mechanicsburg, PA, we support Pennsylvanians who struggle with social anxiety and want to find better ways of coping with their symptoms. Our team works closely with each patient to create a personalized treatment program that supports genuine, long-lasting recovery. Patients will participate in group and private therapy sessions using a mix of behavioral therapies, family therapy, and medicinal support.
If you’d like to speak with our compassionate team about our anxiety treatment programs, call 717.744.0756 today to schedule a tour of our discreet facility.
What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety disorders can affect your ability to feel confident in public spaces with a lot of people or in a more intimate setting with just you and your partner. While most people may only feel mild symptoms, commonly referred to as “butterflies in the stomach,” others may experience more severe symptoms, such as:
- Overwhelming fear
- Embarrassment
- A lack of confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Unable to think clearly
Physical symptoms can include sweating, trembling, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and hyperventilation. These and other symptoms can lead to isolation, depression, worsening anxiety, persistent negative self-talk, and substance abuse. Fortunately, for those with mild to severe social anxiety, there are several therapeutic options for overcoming your symptoms and leading a socially active life.
Overcoming Social Anxiety
What is the best way to overcome your social anxiety? By talking with a professional behavioral therapist and learning new coping skills to manage your symptoms and triggers. Social anxiety treatments typically include a wide range of behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and other forms of therapy.
Programs include group and private therapy sessions in person or via remote telehealth services.
Arkview Recovery welcomes people from all walks of life who are struggling with social anxiety disorder and need help managing their symptoms. Our programs are designed to teach patients healthy tips for treating social anxiety and other skills that promote better mental health and improve self-esteem and confidence.
4 Tips for Treating Social Anxiety
In addition to attending regular therapy sessions and practicing your coping skills with your peers, there are other ways of treating your social anxiety. Here are four tips for treating social anxiety that you can do every day:
1. Deep Breathing Exercises
This practice is useful when you begin to feel nervous right before meeting up with friends or giving a presentation. Slow, methodic breathing can slow heart rates, ease stress, and help you relax. There are other proven benefits of deep breathing exercise that can help improve your overall mental health.2
2. Meditation
Regular meditation can do a lot for people with self-esteem or confidence issues. It can help quiet negative self-talk, help you focus on the present moment, and produce a general state of calm. With regular meditation, you can develop a deeper inner connection to self, which can go a long way toward improving your self-esteem.
3. Participate in Social Clubs
One of the best tips for easing social anxiety symptoms is to put yourself in social situations. It may be uncomfortable at first, but that will go away. Join a local, in-person social club to meet new people and maybe learn a new skill. You can join cooking classes, dance classes, or join a singles club. If you really want to push yourself, join a theater group and sign up for their next play.
4. Journaling
This beneficial tip can help you figure out what triggers your anxiety and how it makes you feel. Writing about your experiences in different social situations can help you see how they make you feel so you can prepare yourself and ease any triggered response.
Get Started with Social Anxiety Treatment Today at Arkview Recovery
Arkview Recovery is a full-service mental health treatment facility located near Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Pittsburgh and supports those who struggle with social anxiety and other mental health disorders. Our therapists have years of experience treating social anxiety and can give you plenty of tips based on your individual symptoms and triggers.
If you feel our social anxiety treatment program can help, call 717.744.0756 today to begin learning how to better manage your anxiety symptoms and triggers.
Source:
1. National Institute on Mental Health
2. National Library of Medicine
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
