By It’s not a surprise that so many clients seek therapy due to an overwhelming fear of public speaking. After all, it’s statistically one of the greatest fears people face by any measure. For those with social anxiety, the fear of appearing foolish can make public speaking feel impossible. Physical symptoms can include sweating, rapid heartbeat,… Continue reading
By Boundaries are important for us all. They help us to advocate for ourselves, prioritize our well-being and protect our peace. This can be particularly useful when you are dating someone new and getting to know each other. Dating is not just about what your date likes or what they think of you. It is about… Continue reading
By It can feel strange to think about our brain lying to us, but that is often what happens when we are dealing with social anxiety disorder. In the throws of social anxiety, our brain takes in information and skews it based on a number of negative assumptions, interpretations, and opinions. Often, this information isn’t accurate…. Continue reading
By The holiday season is upon us. With roots in sacred beliefs and cultural traditions, it is historically a very special time of year, and one where families and friends gather together to share the merriment. To mark the season, old songs such as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” sung by Andy Williams play… Continue reading
By “She is so charming, interesting and friendly, while I come across as so boring and dull.” “He is so charismatic, funny, and entertaining! Why am I not like him?” “I was feeling good about myself at the party until the extroverted, friendly John turned up. I suddenly began to feel bad about myself as I… Continue reading
By Initially, it may not seem like social anxiety and eco-anxiety have much in common. One relates to interpersonal interactions and fear of judgment, while the other is tied to environmental concerns and fears about the future of the planet. While they may seem unrelated at first glance, there is an unexpected connection between these two… Continue reading
By “Do I sound too gay?” “What if they think my name is ghetto?” “They’re going to think I’m some kind of Jesus-freak.” Fear of negative evaluations or judgments from others is a core feature of social anxiety. Yet, as illustrated in the quotes above, for people with certain social identities, these fears may often be… Continue reading
By Back to school can bring up anxiety for kids. For children and teens with social anxiety, back to school can be particularly challenging. Social anxiety disorder in kids is characterized by fear of social situations with peers in which they may be judged negatively and in which their peers may notice their anxiety leading to… Continue reading
By “I always get to class just before it starts and slide noiselessly into a chair in the back because no one’s going to talk to me anyway and, if I’m there early, everyone’s going to stare at me!” “What if the professor calls on me to answer a question? I won’t know what to say… Continue reading
By As you turn the corner at the store and walk past the toy section, you try to distract your child so they don’t see the new Bluey doll you know they will want. However, as we all know, children can sense when anything they aren’t allowed to have is around. They see the doll and… Continue reading
By In today’s fast-paced world, change is constant and inevitable. The rise of technology, cultural shifts, and the impact of events such as the pandemic have all contributed to swift and significant changes. These changes affect many areas of our lives, from dating to social customs, work relationships, and beyond. As a result, anxiety has increased… Continue reading
By Can you guess what concern these three individuals have in common? A 63 year-old man who is terrified about speaking at his daughter’s wedding. A 32-year-old woman who’s afraid of getting sick when she flies. A 26-year-old dental student who gets scared whenever his professors watch him doing procedures. Each one of them is afraid… Continue reading
By The postpartum period is often marked by hormonal fluctuations, lack of sleep, and stress as parents navigate their new roles. For approximately 10% of parents (moms and dads alike!), this stress progresses into an anxiety disorder, with generalized anxiety disorder being the most commonly diagnosed followed by social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, very little research… Continue reading
By First dates can be nerve wracking for many people, whether or not they have social anxiety. People often have thoughts about whether the other person will like them, find them attractive, interesting or boring, and of course, will there be enough to talk about or a lot of awkward silences? After all, social anxiety is… Continue reading
By Experiencing social anxiety in the midst of managing a chronic health condition can pose many challenges, particularly regarding developing and maintaining a strong social support system. Feelings of doubt and insecurity regarding one’s sense of belonging, acceptability and freedom to know and be known by others are often core features underlying social anxiety. These feelings… Continue reading