Anxiety disorders impact approximately 14% of all adult Australians, according to a study conducted by the University of Melbourne.

Social anxiety (sometimes known as social phobia) is a recognised psychiatric disorder that can adversely impact someone's quality of life.

People who suffer from social anxiety, depressive disorder, or other psychiatric disorders may avoid social situations entirely, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

If you think you might be suffering from social anxiety or depressive disorder, know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help you.

 What is social anxiety?

According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Manual for Mental Disorders), social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes people to feel extremely anxious in social situations. It is expected to feel nervous in social situations; however, for people with social anxiety disorder, complex fears subtype, social situations can cause significant and intense anxiety, which may impact day-to-day functioning.

 It is estimated that 10% of Australians may have social anxiety at some point in their lives.

Symptoms of social anxiety

People who suffer from social anxiety, a complex fear subtype, frequently dread being criticised or embarrassed in front of others, and this fear can lead to avoiding social interactions entirely.

Due to social fears, this might make regular activities difficult for people, such as going to work or school, meeting new people, or even talking on the phone.

Social anxiety, a complex fear subtype, can be a severe and debilitating disorder that can cause significant distress.

Some symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:

●    Worry about everyday activities like meeting strangers, starting conversations, talking on the phone, working, shopping, or worrying a lot about social activities like group chats, eating with company, and parties

●     Significant concern about doing something embarrassing, such as blushing, sweating, or appearing incompetent.

●    Difficulty performing tasks when others are present - You may feel as if you are constantly being watched and criticised.

●    Fear of being chastised, avoiding direct eye contact or low self-esteem

●       Symptoms such as nausea, sweat, shaking, or pounding heartbeat (palpitations) in social settings

●    Panic episodes, where you feel an overpowering sense of fear and worry for a few minutes at a time in social situations

Related Article: How To Tell If You Have Health Or Illness Anxiety

 Social Anxiety Management and Treatment

There are various therapies for social anxiety, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, medication, and self-help strategies.

Psychological treatments, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), are an effective way to treat social anxiety.

CBT involves assisting the individual to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts about themselves and social situations and address behaviours that may be maintaining the anxiety.

 Self-help measures such as relaxation and emotion regulation techniques can also help manage social anxiety.

 If you suffer from social anxiety, depression, or fears in Australia, always remember that you are not alone. While it can be challenging to cope with depression, social phobia, fears, and comorbidity, many effective therapies are available from us at ELD Psychology.

Meet Your Clinical Psychologists In Newcastle

Dr Emma Doolan is a Clinical Psychologist based in Newcastle. With a collaborative and evidence-based approach, she helps clients overcome various challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. 

Emma is experienced in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other modalities like schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused therapy. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has completed her registration as a clinical psychologist from AHPRA. Emma is a member of several professional associations, including ACPA, APS, AACBT, and APN.

Paige Cornell is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who has experience in therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. She focuses on building a solid therapeutic relationship and tailoring treatment to each individual. Paige has experience in private practice, NGOs, and forensic settings. 

She works with a diverse range of mental health issues, including anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, relationship problems, substance abuse, and offending behaviours. Paige is particularly interested in helping LGBTQI+ individuals and those dealing with trauma and substance abuse. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and a board-approved supervisor for psychologists. Paige is a member of ACPA and APS, holding a Master's in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's in Psychological Science (Honours).

Taylah Armstrong is a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle. She focuses on developing solid therapeutic relationships to assist individuals in enhancing their well-being and achieving their goals. Taylah is skilled in treating various concerns such as anxiety, stress, mood disorders, trauma, and eating disorders. 

She utilises evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT. Taylah has worked in public healthcare, primary care, and education sectors. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist by AHPRA and holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Newcastle.

Paige Whitfield is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle with experience in private and public health settings. She collaborates with health professionals, families, and schools to provide evidence-based treatments like CBT, Narrative Therapy, and ACT for various issues. Paige has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Honours) and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and is a member of APS and ACPA.

Dr Kaitlin Fitzgerald is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who takes a collaborative and client-centred approach to therapy. She creates a warm and relaxed environment for clients, aiming to make therapy sessions comfortable and even enjoyable. Kaitlin holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. In addition to her private practice at ELD Psychology, she also works in public mental health treating adults with various mental health issues. 

Kaitlin has experience working with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. She is skilled in evidence-based therapies like CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. Kaitlin is fully registered as a clinical psychologist with AHPRA and is approved to supervise provisional and registered psychologists.

Eliza Newton is a person-centred Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping clients explore their deeper selves. She tailors her approach to each client, using psychodynamic therapy for self-exploration or structured techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Eliza focuses on individuals overcoming childhood trauma, including Complex PTSD, and helps those with ADHD develop organisational and emotional well-being strategies. With experience in private practice, inpatient settings, and psychiatric rehabilitation, she addresses challenges from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illness.

Eliza holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University. She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA and is a member of AAPi and ACPA.

Disclaimer

The content provided on this blog is intended for Australian audiences and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared here is based on general knowledge and experience in the field of psychology, but it may not be applicable to your specific situation.

Always seek the advice of your psychologist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a psychological condition or treatment. Never disregard professional psychological advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor, or dial 000 immediately. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations or institutions.