Category: social anxiety

  • WHY DO CERTAIN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HIGH ANXIETY IN SOCIAL SETTINGS?

    WHY DO CERTAIN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HIGH ANXIETY IN SOCIAL SETTINGS?

    In the realm of human interactions, social encounters can trigger varying degrees of nervousness. This phenomenon often puzzles us, especially when considering individuals with seemingly poor social skills or harboring negative self-evaluations. Shedding light on this complexity is the self-presentation theory—a conceptual framework striving to unveil why certain people experience heightened anxiety in social settings.…

  • DO SAFETY BEHAVIORS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY SABOTAGE  EXPOSURE THERAPY?

    DO SAFETY BEHAVIORS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY SABOTAGE EXPOSURE THERAPY?

    In the mid-90s, a study highlighted the nuances of exposure therapy in the context of social phobia, shedding light on the concept of “safety behaviors.” These behaviors act as crutches, allowing individuals to engage in exposure while mitigating excessive anxiety. Take, for instance, someone with a fear of conversing with strangers; they might opt to…

  • HOW DOES SOCIAL ANXIETY AFFECT ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS?

    HOW DOES SOCIAL ANXIETY AFFECT ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS?

    The ability to express one’s emotions has been associated with decreased physiological tension, increased well-being, and improved goal-attainment. In intimate relationships, expressing and sharing emotions plays a crucial role in fostering social support from one’s partner, particularly during times of distress, while also nurturing the maintenance of intimacy. SOCIAL ANXIETY AND EMOTION EXPRESSION Socially anxious…

  • THE MEANING OF “SOCIAL THREAT” IN SOCIAL ANXIETY

    THE MEANING OF “SOCIAL THREAT” IN SOCIAL ANXIETY

    In social psychology, a social threat is a cue or a stimulus that is viewed or perceived as a threat to one’s social image. For example, a frown could be perceived as a sign of disapproval or potential rejection. These signs are interpreted as having a socially catastrophic meaning, and as a a result someone…

  • SOCIAL PHOBIA AND ANXIETY INVENTORY FOR CHILDREN (SPAI-C)

    SOCIAL PHOBIA AND ANXIETY INVENTORY FOR CHILDREN (SPAI-C)

    Below is a sample of a questionnaire used to evaluate the degree of social anxiety in children. The original SPAI-C consists of 26 questions that focus on social phobia and social anxiety. The following, however, is a shorter version that focuses solely on social anxiety. INSTRUCTIONS Please indicate how nervous or scared you feel in…

  • SELF-CONSTRUAL SCALE

    SELF-CONSTRUAL SCALE

    What type of person are you in a social setting? Do you prefer to be autonomous or collaborative? Find out here. INSTRUCTIONS: This is a questionnaire that measures a variety of feelings and behaviors in various situations. Listed below are a number of statements. Read each one as if it referred to you. Circle the…

  • SOCIAL INTERACTION ANXIETY SCALE (SIAS)

    SOCIAL INTERACTION ANXIETY SCALE (SIAS)

    INSTRUCTIONS: For each item, please circle the number to indicate the degree to which you feel the statement is characteristic or true for you. The rating scale is as follows: 0 = Not at all characteristic or true of me. 1 = Slightly characteristic or true of me. 2 = Moderately characteristic or true of…

  • QUIZ – DO YOU HAVE SOCIAL FEARS?

    QUIZ – DO YOU HAVE SOCIAL FEARS?

    INSTRUCTIONS This self-check is mostly focused on fears of being judged negatively by others. It is by no means a tool to diagnose social anxiety, as you may have other symptoms that are related to social anxiety. The information provided here should not be the only information you use to make decisions about your mental…

  • DO I HAVE SOCIAL ANXIETY QUIZ

    DO I HAVE SOCIAL ANXIETY QUIZ

    INSTRUCTIONS: What follows is a list of questions pertaining to the common symptoms of social anxiety. This test has no diagnostical power, it is purely to help you raise your mental health self-awareness. Please see disclaimer For each question, answer how frequently you experience certain symptoms: 0 = Never 1= Occasionally 2 = Half the…

  • ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS

    ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS

    DON’T INTERRUPTStop yourself from wanting to inject your thoughts or opinions in the middle of a conversation. Focus your attention and energy towards what the other person is saying. DON’T JUDGEJudgment here can be either positive or negative. It refers to the internal monologue, or thoughts you might have during a conversation. Set those aside…