CBT can help manage symptoms of social anxiety

CBT can help manage symptoms of social anxiety

 It is common for many to feel anxious or nervous during a public appearance or social gathering. While this may be a normal reaction for those who experience it occasionally, it may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition (called social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia) for those who experience it more frequently. Symptoms of SAD usually first appear in childhood and adolescence, which can lead to mental health problems such as substance abuse and major depression. If left undiagnosed or untreated, this disorder is also known to impair cognitive function and adversely affect the quality of life. Identifying social anxiety Social anxiety is characterized by extreme and persistent nervousness, apprehension, and dread that occur either in social situations or when thinking about a social problem. Typically, SAD can create one: Believe me, they would be in an awkward situation Very sensitive to what others would think of them Feel confident with others around you They are afraid because they think people would laugh at them or reject them if they tried to be friends with someone If you notice any of these key signs in yourself or someone you know, it's time to see a therapist. The role of CBT in the management of SAD Research studies have highlighted the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in alleviating social anxiety disorder. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Zurich, successful treatment of anxiety disorders involves changes in critical brain structures responsible for processing and regulating emotions. The stronger the changes, the better the treatment result. Speaking about the role of psychotherapy, the researchers said: "Psychotherapy normalizes brain changes associated with social anxiety disorder." How does CBT work? CBT has been reported as the most effective psychotherapy for the treatment of SAD. CBT for SAD involves identifying and correcting maladaptive cognitive functions associated with social situations. During a CBT session, the therapist works with the patient as a coach. They provide the patient with an opportunity to learn and guide him on how to interpret the situation and act accordingly. As treatment progresses, the patient is exposed to their fears and given the confidence to deal with them. CBT approaches targeting specific maintaining factors or vulnerabilities in patients with SAD are more effective in treating social phobia. In one CBT approach, a patient who dreaded the thought of bothering others because she thought she was not intelligent enough to be the center of attention was given several similar tasks that focused on her weaknesses. For example, to focus on her reluctance to bother others and be the center of attention, she was asked to interrupt a group of people in a restaurant to practice a toast to the bridesmaid's speech. Similarly, to focus on her fear of being unintelligent, she was asked
d to ask strangers in a bookstore to read the back cover of a book because she could not read. Simply put, CBT can help people with SAD identify negative thought patterns and replace them with positive but realistic affirmations. For example, the patient would learn to substitute “Oh my God! I don't fit in here" with "I might not like it here, but I don't have to think about it too much." Another example would be to replace "The others in the house expect me to do something wrong" with "People are watching me, but come on, I have other things, which I must attend to.' CBT also helps individuals develop coping skills to manage anxious feelings and other related physical symptoms that arise in social situations. CBT can be administered in both group and individual therapy. Group therapy is a traditional approach involving two therapists helping a group of four to six patients in half-hour sessions over 12 weeks. In the individual treatment format, the individual patient is addressed in 60-minute sessions every week or fortnight, depending on the severity of symptoms and personalized factors. Patients are required to attend sessions for up to 15 weeks. Group CBT is beneficial in that it provides patients with real exposure to social situations that can help them overcome their social anxiety woes.