We all experience anxiety at some point or other in our life. Anxiety is that uneasy feeling of fear or apprehension, typically accompanied by increased physiological arousal, such as sweating, increased heart rate, pupil dilation, increased blood pressure, and fast breathing. These reactions form part of our fight and flight response, which warns us to act quickly in the face of upcoming danger.
To some extent, experiencing some anxiety can be helpful. For example, it can motivate us to accomplish our tasks on time or it can get us to prepare for approaching demanding situations.
It might even help us to flee from circumstances that are dangerous to us. Hence anxiety is adaptive and can be beneficial. It becomes maladaptive when experienced in excessively severe and persistent ways and when it interferes with our day-to-day life.
There are different kinds of anxiety. One of the most commonly experienced types is that known as social anxiety, an intense and persistent fear of social situations in which the person worries about being judged by others.
People believe they might act inappropriately while interacting with others (such as during conversations) when being observed (while eating) or when in front of others (such as public speaking).
The individual is afraid they will behave in ways or show signs of anxiety that will be perceived negatively by others and will lead to humiliation, rejection or embarrassment. Because of this they avoid the situation or endure it with intense fear, even though inherently they desire having social contact (Heimberg, 2013).
Social anxiety has been associated with elevated school dropouts, decreased quality of life and productivity at work
People of different ages may experience social anxiety, including children and adolescents. If untreated, it can hugely impact the affected individuals, their relatives and society at large. For example, social anxiety has been associated with elevated school dropouts, decreased quality of life and productivity at work. It may also impede leisure activities and lead to other difficulties, such as feelings of sadness, substance misuse and loneliness (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Regrettably, despite the distress experienced by people with social anxiety, they rarely seek support outside medical assistance and individual psychotherapy. However, interventions like social anxiety groups can be very helpful.
There are two forms of social anxiety groups: social support groups and therapy groups. In a social support group, members can support and comfort others who have difficulties similar to their own. These groups can also offer opportunities whereby members can connect with others. On the other hand, in therapy groups, individuals can practise new methods for dealing with social situations that they typically experience as challenging.
Indeed, cognitive behavioural group therapy has repeatedly been found to be very effective in treating social anxiety (Richards, 2014). Although being in a group may be very challenging for a person with social anxiety, evidence shows that doing so can also support the affected individual to learn to identify their negative, irrational thoughts and to dispute the content of these thoughts in safe settings. In this way, they can confront their anxiety and learn alternative ways how they think and feel in social circumstances.
Maia Psychology Centre will shortly be organising a group therapy programme, aiming to help people facing these challenges. This group intends to focus on understanding and dealing with social anxiety.
By the end of the sessions, participants will develop the cognitive and behavioural skills necessary to recognise, challenge and manage anxiety-provoking social situations.
For more information, e-mail info@maiapsychologycentre.com or call 9982 2378.
Elaine Schembri Lia and Charlene Caruana, who are both psychologists, will be conducting a Social Anxiety Group Therapy programme through the psychology centre.