Social Anxiety and Shyness - Halifax Psychologist

Counselling can reduce shyness and social anxiety

Struggling with social anxiety in Halifax? Help is available in Nova Scotia.

At times, everyone feels nervous in certain social situations or shy in new or unfamiliar settings.

Think about the last time you attended a party where you didn’t know anyone, or the last time you went for a job interview. There is a good chance that you felt shyer than you usually are in the first situation…and more nervous than you usually are in the second.

Similar to most personality characteristics, shyness and social anxiety can range in intensity from fairly mild to completely overwhelming. Mild examples may include the normal anxiety that often accompanies public speaking, while extreme shyness or social anxiety may prevent someone from developing friendships, working, talking to others, being in a relationship, or feeling comfortable in public places.

How does social anxiety disorder differ from normal shyness?

People with Social Anxiety Disorder greatly fear situations which may lead to criticism or evaluation by others. Furthermore, they are very afraid that they will say or do something embarrassing or humiliating in these social situations. It largely differs from normal shyness in the degree of intensity and the interference it causes in other areas of the person's life. Someone who is shy may prefer to be out of the spotlight when with friends, at work, or at a party. However, a person with social anxiety disorder may avoid these situations entirely and as such, it results in significant social, relational, or occupational functioning. When possible, they choose to isolate themselves from society and from almost all social situations.

Problems associated with social anxiety

Although social anxiety is a problem in and of itself, it can also lead to other difficulties such as:

● Low self-esteem

● Financial difficulties (if the person avoids work due to the likelihood of being evaluated or judged)

● Anxiety and panic attacks

● Very limited or poor interpersonal relationships

● Perfectionism

● Depression

● Body image problems

● Substance abuse

● Anger management issues

Consequences of excessive shyness

Shyness, although not as debilitating as Social Anxiety Disorder, can result in:

● Poor academic achievement due to a fear of asking for help

● Difficulties in basic forms of social interaction (asking for directions, returning an item at a store, etc.)

● Difficulty starting conversations

● Difficulty forming and maintaining friendships

● Fear of initiating romantic relationships

● Slow career advancement due to a desire not to stand out or take risks

● Poor self-confidence

● Inaccurate evaluations from others (e.g., people with social anxiety are often seen as being arrogant or conceited)

● Avoidance of enjoyable social activities with other people

● Poor self-esteem

● Reluctance to express needs and wants, and as a consequence, reduced likelihood of having them met

Counselling for social anxiety and shyness

● Counselling for shyness and social anxiety can take many forms depending on the presenting problem, the client’s goals, and the therapist's approach. However, common interventions include:

● Gradually approaching feared social situations as a part of exposure therapy as confidence is slowly gained and the situations no longer produce excessive anxiety

● In session rehearsal of social interactions

● Cognitive interventions to identify anxiety-provoking beliefs and replace them with healthier and more realistic appraisals

● Identification of issues that may be contributing to a fear of social situations (e.g., family dynamics, experiences as a child or adolescent)

● Communication skills and assertiveness training

Social Anxiety and Shyness Help in Halifax

If you would like to receive help for social anxiety or shyness (and live in the areas of Halifax, Bedford, or Dartmouth) please read more about
therapy and counselling, my treatment approach, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to set up an initial consultation.