By Meara Weitzman, PhD What do you see when you look in the mirror? What thoughts pass through your mind? What emotions arise? The mirror offers your reflection but the experience you have when looking in it reflects your body image (BI), or the personal relationship you have with your own body. Body image involves... Continue reading The post MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL: THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY IMAGE AND SOCIAL ANXIETY appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

When your core emotional needs are met in childhood, you grow up with positive life themes such as high self-worth and a belief in your ability to cope. Negative life themes emerge when your core emotional needs are not met earlier in life and these negative themes continue into adulthood. These negative life themes are... Continue reading The post SOCIAL ANXIETY LIFE THEMES AND SCHEMAS appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

When most people think about social anxiety, they often are worried about being judged negatively by others. Some of the common fears are being seen as boring, weird, incompetent or anxious. These fears make a lot of sense, right? We are social beings and want to be included and liked – we want to belong! If others... Continue reading The post SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER: COMPLIMENTS CAN BE SCARY, TOO! appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

Anxiety is one of the most common difficulties that can rapidly increase during the teen years. Social anxiety disorder, which is characterized by a persistent fear of social situations in which your teen is worried about being judged, scrutinized or embarrassed in front of others, occurs in approximately 9% of adolescents. It is often a... Continue reading The post YOUR GO-TO GUIDE FOR HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR TEEN WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY IN TREATMENT appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

It’s not a surprise that so many clients seek therapy due to an overwhelming fear of public speaking. After all, it’s statistically one of the greatest fears people face by any measure. For those with social anxiety, the fear of appearing foolish can make public speaking feel impossible. Physical symptoms can include sweating, rapid heartbeat,... Continue reading The post SPEAKING IN PUBLIC WHEN SOCIALLY ANXIOUS INSIDE appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

Boundaries are important for us all. They help us to advocate for ourselves, prioritize our well-being and protect our peace. This can be particularly useful when you are dating someone new and getting to know each other. Dating is not just about what your date likes or what they think of you. It is about... Continue reading The post SETTING BOUNDARIES WHILE DATING WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

The holiday season is upon us. With roots in sacred beliefs and cultural traditions, it is historically a very special time of year, and one where families and friends gather together to share the merriment. To mark the season, old songs such as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” sung by Andy Williams play... Continue reading The post TIPS FOR MANAGING SOCIAL ANXIETY IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

“She is so charming, interesting and friendly, while I come across as so boring and dull.” “He is so charismatic, funny, and entertaining! Why am I not like him?” “I was feeling good about myself at the party until the extroverted, friendly John turned up. I suddenly began to feel bad about myself as I... Continue reading The post SOCIAL ANXIETY AND THE PROBLEMATIC METRIC OF SOCIAL COMPARISON appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

Initially, it may not seem like social anxiety and eco-anxiety have much in common. One relates to interpersonal interactions and fear of judgment, while the other is tied to environmental concerns and fears about the future of the planet. While they may seem unrelated at first glance, there is an unexpected connection between these two... Continue reading The post THE UNEXPECTED CONNECTION BETWEEN SOCIAL ANXIETY AND ECO-ANXIETY appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more

“Do I sound too gay?” “What if they think my name is ghetto?” “They’re going to think I’m some kind of Jesus-freak.” Fear of negative evaluations or judgments from others is a core feature of social anxiety. Yet, as illustrated in the quotes above, for people with certain social identities, these fears may often be... Continue reading The post SOCIAL ANXIETY DUE TO FEARS OF STEREOTYPE CONFIRMATION appeared first on National Social Anxiety Center ..read more