Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder is becoming more common and something I am seeing many more clients with. Some people are naturally shy and not keen on social situations; social anxiety is more than this and is different to general anxiety. It’s an aversion and fear of social interactions such as talking to people, meeting new people, dating, talking to a cashier in a bank or shop, answering questions in class or during a job interview.
Social anxiety can make it difficult to do everyday things in front of people such as eating or drinking, using a public toilet or asking for help from a shop assistant. This fear is based on being afraid of being judged, humiliated or rejected. This can cause intense panic both during the time leading up to and the event itself.
What is Social anxiety?
Symptoms are similar to that of feeling anxious: sweating, feeling sick, and increased breathing, heart rate or palpitations, feeling faint or light headed, shaking and a shaky voice. It can leave you speechless and frozen to the spot; a panic attack. Behavioural signs and symptoms of social anxiety may include: remaining quiet to blend into the background so as not to be noticed, avoiding social situations to the degree that it disrupts your life, drinking before social situations to calm your nerves. Negative experiences like bullying, family conflict and sexual abuse may contribute to this disorder. People who suffer with social anxiety are aware they are behaving irrationally, but are unable to control and overcome their thoughts and behaviour.
People who suffer with social anxiety or social phobia often engage in the following unhelpful thinking styles:
Fortune Telling: predicting what will happen and assuming the worst case scenario. ‘I know it will go badly wrong’. This results in feeling anxious leading up to the situation for weeks or even months before.
Mind reading: assuming that you know that others are thinking negatively about you and judging you.
Catastrophizing: blowing things out of proportion - for example worrying about a presentation at work, calling in sick to miss it, thinking if you do it, you will mess it up, your boss will fire you and then you will lose your home.
Personalising: thinking that everyone is focusing on you or everything that’s going on is to do with you.
Common social anxiety triggers include:
Being the centre of attention
Meeting new people
Making small talk
Public speaking
Being watched while doing something
Performing on stage
Being teased or criticized
Talking with “important” people or authority figures
Being called upon in a class or work environment
Going on a date
Speaking up in a meeting
Using public toilets
Taking exams
Eating or drinking in public
Making phone calls
Attending parties or other social gatherings
How can hypnosis help social anxiety?
Social anxiety hypnosis can free you of social anxiety and help you feel calm, relaxed and confident in any social situation. We can work together to achieve lasting results so you enjoy life fully and without restrictions. Social Anxiety Hypnosis will help you:
Remove the worry that you will do or say something silly
Not feel judged by others
Remove the fear that a previously embarrassing event will not happen again - the past doesn’t equal the future
Meet new people and easily cope with professional challenges, feeling confident and calm
Remove negative thought patterns and build self-esteem
Allow you to feel calm, relaxed and confident and enjoy any social occasion
You can help yourself when in social situations by trying the tips below:
Try not to focus on yourself and what could go wrong, instead focus on things other than you, this can reduce some of the self-consciousness.
You may focus on trying to control your bodily sensations like blushing or sweating -the more you do this the more you’re aware of how nervous you are; focusing on other things and other people - an external focus can reduce this.
Tune in and really listen to what others are saying.
Practice controlling your breath, over breathing (hyperventilation) can lead to increasing dizziness and light-headedness. Slow even breathing can slow your heart rate and relax your muscles.
Face your fears - avoiding social situations only serves to perpetuate your anxiety; ease yourself in gently, doing the things that are less worrying and gradually build up your confidence.
“Having worked with Julia, I now understand that my social phobia began in my teens. It got worse through university and even worse once I started work: It has always held me back and stopped me achieving my full potential. Julia helped me so much, I was able to accept invitations and look forward to social occasions and enjoy myself without worrying. It has also had a positive impact professionally. I can honestly say that the sessions I had with Julia changed my life. I now feel far more self-assured and confident.”
“I used to panic at the thought of seeing friends and talking to new people, I always worried what people thought of me. Hypnotherapy with Julia helped me deal with my worries, I no longer worry about not feeling good enough and can I can talk to new people more easily.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
+ How many sessions will I require for social anxiety hypnosis?
Some clients need 2-3 sessions, some more, it depends how much they allow themselves to relax during hypnosis for anxiety and how well they respond to treatment. Having established goals together, we will both know when you have achieved what we have set out to, most clients feel better after just one session. Clients tell me that they feel a rapport; they feel supported with a treatment plan in place which we have agreed upon.
+ Why choose Changes Hypnotherapy for social anxiety hypnosis?
Social anxiety is becoming a more common issue, it’s something I’ve had much experience and success with and I have helped so many clients using social anxiety hypnosis. Part of the first appointment takes the form of an initial consultation so I can find out the details of your social anxiety and how it manifests itself. For example: what triggers it and makes it worse? When did it first start? Was there anything else going on at that time or before/after that may be relevant? The more information I learn about your social anxiety, your personal circumstances and your background, the more I can personalise your treatment and help you to unlearn and reframe this unhelpful behaviour, so you can be free of it once and for all. I often give clients ‘homework’ simple, quick and effective exercises that will help in challenging situations.
I work in a client-led manner, which means I will always explain the proposed methods of treatment; I will always listen to you and make sure you’re comfortable with them; I believe that as my client your instincts and what feels right for you are a good indication of what will work well for you. Some of the treatments will use hypnosis for anxiety; some will be working more on a conscious level, talking things through, recognising thought processes, emotions and behaviours in order to change them. Hypnosis for anxiety will make it possible for you to feel comfortable, calm, relaxed and increase confidence and self-esteem. It will enable you to choose your reactions and how you wish to feel in any environment see testimonials.
