New Client SCREENER

Social ANXIETY DISORDER

Building good relationships with other people can reduce stress and anxiety in your life. In fact, improving your social support is associated with better mental health in general, because having good friends can act as a “safeguard” for feelings of anxiety and low mood. This is especially true if you are socially anxious and really want to make friends but are either too fearful or unsure about how to reach out. As a result of these anxious feelings, you may even avoid social situations. 
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TREATMENT: With psychotherapy, you can learn and practice communication skills and gradually improve your ability to develop and maintain successful relationships (minimum 8-10 therapy sessions recommended). Available treatments for social anxiety include:
Relaxation training and behavioural activation: Involves regularly practicing breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, and engaging in activities that are relaxing, enjoyable, or useful.
Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT): Teaches you how to challenge/change problematic thought patterns and unhelpful behaviours that contribute to symptoms.
Exposure therapy: Involves gradually exposing you to what you fear and not avoiding anxiety-provoking situations.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MCBT): Teaches you how to be in the present moment, on purpose, in a non-judgmental way.
Interpersonal therapy, and social skills training: Helps you improve your relationships and communication skills.

"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood."

-RALPH NICHOLS

Helpful Links For Social Anxiety Disorder

• Canadian Psychological Association Social Anxiety fact sheet PDF
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America- Social Anxiety Disorder brochure PDF
• Social Phobia - The Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association (SP/SAA), a non-profit organization, was officially organized in 1997 to meet the growing needs of people throughout the world who have social phobia/social anxiety.
• Social Anxiety Support - Online support community for those who suffer from social anxiety (social phobia).
• ​​For more resources, please visit the Helpful Links Page
  

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