Social anxiety disorder is the extreme fear of being judged, scrutinized, or criticized by others in social situations. Individuals fear that they will say or do something that will cause them to appear foolish in front of others or that others will notice some signs of anxiety, such as blushing, trembling, or sweating. These fears lead individuals to avoid social or performance situations, such as speaking in front of others or going to social gatherings. People who suffer from social anxiety disorder tend to have little or few social, platonic, or romantic relationships, which may lead them to feel alone, powerless, or ashamed. Those with social anxiety disorder suffer greatly and find interactions in school, work, and relationships extremely difficult. Social anxiety disorder typically begins around the age of 13, but may begin in early childhood. Social anxiety disorder is very common, particularly in the United States; research has found that more that one out of every eight people suffers from social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Even though both shyness and social anxiety disorder may be present in many individuals, they are not the same. Shyness is a normal personality trait and should not be mistaken for social anxiety disorder.
Please contact our Director of Intake Services at 212-595-9559 (ext.1) or 914-385-1150 (ext.1), or fill out the form above, with any questions regarding eligibility, for further information, or to make a referral. If you are a current patient at CBC, please speak to your individual therapist to see how this group may be of added benefit to you.