Some of us may not even realize we are engaging in anxious thinking. So, let’s look at the different types of anxious thinking to get a better understanding. Once you learn about these types of thinking, you may be able to identify that these are thoughts you partake in. Once you identify which types of …
If you have social anxiety, the way in which you process information (thoughts, memory, interpretation, perception, etc.), or said better – the ways in which we think, are at the heart of your social anxiety problem. The way in which you think about yourself, your environment, and your future are the cause of your anxiety. …
You now have a good understanding of how social anxiety works, and the particulars of your social anxiety (self-assessment). You know what your goals are, you have an idea of the available treatments out there, and now it is time to create your comprehensive treatment plan. My recommendation is below: 1 – Focus on cognitive …
With all of these different treatments to consider, you may also be asking if you should try and do this yourself (self-help) or if you should seek a professional. I do believe that everyone can benefit from self-help, but if your social anxiety is very severe, you should probably seek a professional. If your anxiety …
There are many treatment options out there. There isn’t a lot of controlled research into how effective these different methods are for social anxiety, so how do you know which one to choose? You don’t want to waste time trying all the options out there. You want to find one that works and move on …
Goal setting is an important part of overcoming social anxiety. Without setting a clear and specific objective, you are not as likely to follow through. Additionally, without a specific goal, how are you going to measure your success? Think of some short term goals as well as long term goals. The short term goals (weeks …
Making a plan for change will require a couple key considerations Are you ready, willing, and able to make a change in your life? If you are like me, then you felt like you had to make a change. I personally couldn’t keep living like that. Are you able? Do you have all the right …
Let’s hit on a couple last considerations/questions for the self-assessment: To what degree does your social anxiety interfere with your life? Is social anxiety preventing you from living to your full potential? I’m sure it is to some degree, but how bad is it really? If you’re reading this, it’s likely quite a bit. Think …
How are your communication skills? Could they be improved upon? People with social anxiety may feel like they lack in social skills, because they simply haven’t had as much practice as other people who interact a lot. Fortunately, people with social anxiety have social skills that are on par with everyone else. They just wrongly …
The self-assessment will consist of three parts – conducting a self-interview, journaling/monitoring form, and behavioral assessments. Conducting a self-interview is really the first step in formulating your own treatment plan. The purpose of a self-interview is to identify the main features of your social anxiety: Answering these questions will shed some light on a lot …