Disorders Treated - Social Anxiety

Definition

Social Anxiety Disorder is a diagnosis, which includes a level of anxiety and avoidance that significantly impairs an individuals functioning.  Although on the surface a person may be simply labeled as shy or introverted, a person with Social Anxiety Disorder fears being rejected, humiliated, embarrassed, or ashamed to a point of extreme dysfunction.

A person suffering from this disorder could experience intense feelings of distress and research has indicated that those may include frustration, loneliness, and anger, not simply those on the anxiety continuum. 

Treatment

Social Anxiety Disorder is a diagnosis that is effectively treated by cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT). Exposure therapy for social anxiety is included on the American Psychological Association's list of Empirically Supported Treatments (EST's).