Social Anxiety

At the heart of social anxiety is the overestimation of threat (e.g., how badly others will judge you) and underestimation of your ability to cope.

What is Social Anxiety?

Social Anxiety, also called Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) or social phobia, is a persistent and intense fear of social situations where you might be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized by others. It's not just shyness—it's a deeply rooted fear that can significantly affect day-to-day functioning, relationships, work, or even simple activities like eating in front of others.

From a Cognitive Behavioural perspective, social anxiety arises from maladaptive thought patterns—distorted beliefs about yourself and how others perceive you. These thoughts then trigger physical symptoms and avoidance behaviours, which reinforce the anxiety over time.

Common Features of Social Anxiety

Excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations.
Fear of acting in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing.
Avoidance of social interactions, speaking in public, or being the center of attention.
Physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, trembling, rapid heart rate, or even panic attacks.
Negative self-talk: e.g., “They’ll think I’m stupid,” or “I’ll mess this up.”