Hypnotherapy for Social Phobia
Article by Paul and Denise Douglass, North London Hypnotherapy
In this article, we will look at...
- The effects of social phobia (social anxiety), and the use of hypnotherapy to treat social anxiety
- The fear of being judged
- The symptoms of social phobia (social anxiety)
- Social situations
- Avoidance
- Low self confidence and self esteem
- Suggestion therapy and self confidence
- Social phobia in the workplace
- Fear of public speaking / stage fright / performance-related fear
- Social Phobia CAN Be Helped!
The effects of social phobia (social anxiety), and the use of hypnotherapy to treat social anxiety
The problem of social phobia (social anxiety, or social anxiety disorder) is one of the most common phobias around, and certainly one of the most responsive to analytical hypnotherapy.
Social phobia is certainly the single most common cause of problem that is treated here.
Social phobia revolves around a fear of how others might see you, what they think of you, and feeling that whatever you're doing is getting noticed.
The fear of being judged.
In essence, social phobia is a fear of being judged.
If you suffer from social phobia / social anxiety, this fear becomes your own worst enemy.
The symptoms of social phobia (social anxiety).
The symptoms produced by this condition can vary from ...
- dry mouth
- blushing
- feeling sick
- shaking
- feeling weak
- shy bladder (inability to urinate in public toilets)
- stammering
- diarrhoea
- stuttering
- sweating
- having palpitations.
- ...Ultimately, it can cause a full-blown anxiety attack or panic attack. Social anxiety also shares many similar symptoms with general anxiety,
Social situations
The fear of social phobia is based around social / public situations, and these can range from anything such as nights out, to going shopping, meeting people, going to work, parties, entertainment situations, or even a complete inability to use public toilets (shy bladder), as well as many other situations where people come into some kind of contact with others.
Avoidance
Indeed, they may arrange their whole life to avoid situations where social interactions may occur.
This can include avoiding using / answering the telephone, or typing / writing something down in front of others, avoiding signing their name, or indeed anything that could possibly put them at the centre of attention, or 'on the spot'.
Low self confidence and self esteem
Often, when a person has social anxiety, their self esteem is low, they are lacking in confidence, they are sometimes not even able to hold eye contact.
There is usually an intense dislike of being introduced to people, often anxiety over eating / drinking in public - the very things that most people enjoy, such as having dinner in a lovely restaurant, can bring dread to someone with social phobia.
Suggestion Therapy and Self Confidence
Another way that many people like to boost their self confidence, is using 'suggestion therapy'.
Suggestion therapy is a nice, relaxing form of therapy that can really help with feeling more confident and outgoing.
Suggestion therapy can either be done as a one-to-one session (see our find-a-therapist service to find a hypnotherapist in your area), or via our hypnosis download, Boost Your Self Confidence with Hypnosis.
Social phobia in the workplace
Social phobia may also manifest itself as the avoidance of situations involving confrontations with colleagues, especially when involving figures of authority, such as supervisors and managers.
This can dramatically increase the effects of the social phobia / social anxiety, bringing with it the attendant dread and unease.
Other effects of social phobia
Parties can be stressful and because of this, the need to have a drink beforehand, to "loosen up a bit", and relax enough to release those social inhibitions, becomes of prime importance to the sufferer.
Over time, this social phobic condition may go on to develop into depressive illnesses, or because the sufferers end up avoiding so many social places, they may go on to develop agoraphobia.
Some people with social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, may use drugs, alcohol, or tranquillisers as crutches, and sometimes become addicted to them.
Fear of Public Speaking / Stage Fright / Performance-Related Fear.
It's interesting to note, that fear of public speaking (or stage fright) is also a form of social phobia (social anxiety), and yet the individuals concerned may lead perfectly normal lives, with no problems or anxiety at all over socialising, or eating in front of others, etc.
Yet, when the person in question has to stand in front of others, and give a talk, demonstration or performance, then the social anxiety can come out full force, and they too might feel sick, shaky, stammer, their mouth dry over, or their heart will start to race.
Actors, singers, sales people, musicians, teachers, etc, can all suffer from this debilitating "stage fright" form of social anxiety, as well as people giving presentations, talks or wedding speeches.
But, whatever the profession, or reason for giving the speech, and however this condition affects them, this can be a very demoralising and debilitating situation to be in.
Further information on Stage Fright
Social Phobia CAN Be Helped!
There is a type of hypnotherapy that can REALLY help with social phobia (also known as social anxiety)
Pure Hypnoanalysis has helped countless people over the years. The aim of Pure Hypnoanalysis is not to 'control', or 'manage' the problem, the aim is to resolve it completely.
Come and Meet Paul or Denise!
If you're in North London, why not come and meet one of us for a chat?
Come along to one of our North London practices, and you'll get a very warm welcome... we can have a good chat about it all, and see what might be the best way forward for you from here.
If you're not in the north London area, still get in touch, and we might be able to put you in touch with someone in your area.
