Social Anxiety
Self Help Article
by David Yarian Ph.D.
Social anxiety—or shyness—affects millions of people, and often gets in the way of successfully negotiating adult life. There may be both biochemical and psychosocial components of social anxiety. A combination of medication and psychotherapy with a cognitive-behavioral therapist can be useful in moderate to severe cases.
The shy person is not shy by choice; it is an excruciating experience to desire social contact with other people and feel highly anxious at the same time. Socially anxious persons are often misinterpreted as being aloof or haughty, which can make it even more challenging to connect with people.
The socially anxious person typically has overly high expectations for himself: when feeling shy at a party he may tell himself that he should be able to hold the entire room in thrall as he tells hilarious stories. Shy persons often observe from the sidelines, comparing themselves to the most socially successful person in the environment.
The self help books in this section on Social Anxiety provide solid, practical advice for the socially anxious person. They offer exercises, affirmations, encouragement and techniques for overcoming this painful and isolating condition.
See also: Communication Skills; Self Esteem and Self Confidence; Anxiety and Panic Disorder; Meditation
