Social Anxiety Disorder
It’s more than just shyness.
While it is common and even healthy to experience anxiety or awkwardness in some social situations, Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by a persistent fear of being embarrassed or judged. As a result, individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder will often avoid situations where they could be criticized or rejected, or at least endure these situations with great distress. Aside from feeling isolated from others, people with Social Anxiety Disorder tend to believe they are personally deficient and often feel deep shame about their fearful thoughts and feelings, even when they recognize they are irrational.
Social Anxiety Disorder is best treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is designed to help you increase your ability and confidence to cope with your anxiety; to help you build self-confidence and self-esteem; and to allow you to achieve personal goals that are consistent with your values. Another treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder is known as Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) which utilizes mindfulness and goal-setting to help you feel more in control of your life. The two approaches are often used together to help you better accept the reality of living with an anxiety disorder while also increasing your ability to manage it.
Michael Sieger is a licensed therapist who specializes in treating Social Anxiety Disorder. This debilitating condition is often confused with introversion or shyness and as a result is often overlooked or downplayed by others. People with Social Anxiety Disorder often feel a great deal of shame about their fearful thoughts and feelings and often won’t seek help as a result. Mr. Sieger understands how much effort it takes to reach out for help. He can help you to navigate your fearful thoughts & feelings and to start taking small steps toward feeling more connected to others.
Start taking small steps toward feeling more connected to others.