Weekends can be a stressful time for those of us with social anxiety- we want to have friends, be loved, and in the know (FOMO is real!), and yet we don't. I've often wondered what it would be like to live completely free of my social phobia and attend parties with classmates, crack jokes over drinks, and heck, maybe even be the life of the party one day. However, as it stands … [Read more...]
9 Ways to Get Out Of Your Shell and Squash Social Anxiety
You've heard it before but I will say it again - practice makes perfect. This is especially true for social phobia. If we want to eventually reduce our social anxiety, we need to expose ourselves to the very things that make us anxious. We need to take deliberate steps to meet people, try new things, and take risks if we are going to reduce our social anxiety. The good news is, … [Read more...]
Halloween + Social Anxiety Disorder: Poems to Get You Through The Day
Ever tried to explain your social phobia to someone else, but couldn't find the right words? Ever been on the other end, desperately trying to understand how this person you're trying to connect with actually feels? It is a double-edgede sword: one can feel lonely, but at the same time, too trapped to go out and be with others. Halloween is a time that many think of fun and … [Read more...]
AiT Exclusive Interview: Separation Anxiety vs Generalized Anxiety vs Social Phobias, Oh My! With Anxiety Expert Dr. Anne Marie Albano
We are pleased to have author and Director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Dr. Anne Marie Albano, Ph.D., share some great insights with us on the differences between separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, and social phobia! Read on for great insights for how parents can help and what to expect in therapy. She is the author of “You and … [Read more...]
AIT Exclusive Interview: How Do I Know If I Have Social Anxiety Disorder And What Do I Do
In light of Mental Health Awareness Week, we are excited for this special AiT Exclusive with the Executive Director of the the Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety, Lori Blumenstein-Bott! Join us as we discuss social anxiety in teens, what to look for as it relates to social anxiety symptoms, and how to help someone with social anxiety in college and beyond! AiT: Is it … [Read more...]
Agoraphobia: Having Trouble Leaving the House?
It’s no secret that when you have an anxiety disorder, it can oftentimes be difficult to even muster the courage and motivation to leave the house. Yet it seems as if the more we choose to stay in our comfort zone (or inside the house, that is), we begin to feel even more isolated and anxious. Agoraphobia, a phobia in which the individual fears leaving the home and being in … [Read more...]
What’s the Difference Between Shyness and Social Phobia?
Everyone experience some shyness or discomfort at some point in his or her lives. This can come from new situations or going to a party and not know anyone. A person who is shy would feel awkward around people; yet anxiously want to socialize with others. Eventually the shy person would become comfortable after doing the uncomfortable thing. Just to be clear there is no … [Read more...]
What Is A Phobia? What Causes Phobias?
Christian Nordqvist, MEDICA NEWS TODAY, August 22, 2012 A phobia is an irrational fear, a kind of anxiety disorder in which the sufferer has a relentless dread of a situation, living creature, place or thing. People with a phobia go to great lengths to avoid a perceived danger which is much greater in their minds than in real life. If confronted with the source of their phobia, … [Read more...]
Social Situations Can Be Exhilirating… Or Terrifying
Social situations are part of every person’s life. Whether you are 15 or 55, you are going to encounter other people throughout the days and weeks. High school and college are the years where your social encounters can be the most frequent. For a person with anxiety, these situations can be immobilizing. The thought of seeing someone you don’t get along with or meeting new … [Read more...]