Ask a therapist > Anxiety > How do i get rid of my fear of social situations and work towards being more productive?

How do i get rid of my fear of social situations and work towards being more productive?

I often find myself making excuses to stay home, even from work. I have no problems with the actual labor portion of the job but I'm always afraid of getting into social interactions with people. I always worry about what they think of me and feel like I'm being judged.

Asked by Kay

Anxiety

Answered

10/10/2022

Hello Kay,

Thank you for your question. It sounds like you are experiencing anxiety and that the anxiety is robbing you from enjoying social situations and also making work more difficult for you. It can be quite helpful to engage in coping/grounding strategies that will bring you back to the here and now (and not the future what ifs). This will allow you to then to work with your specific thoughts, as it is the thoughts you are having that are producing the anxiety you feel and leading you to not do certain social things.

Working with a therapist can help you to develop skills to challenge and reframe distorted thoughts contributing to your social anxiety. First, a therapist can help you to develop those coping skills to help you ground yourself when experiencing anxiety and ways to distract and self soothe when experiencing worry and panic. A therapist will also help you to identify distorted thoughts and to help you challenge or reframe them. They will also help you to explore the root of those thoughts and help you to work through any traumas or past experiences that are contributing to your negative thoughts. Depending on your needs they might also work with you to expose yourself to some of the situations that bring out this anxiety for you. Exposure is a great way to build up your tolerance of anxiety provoking interactions in a titrated way.

I wish you the best and truly hope you will consider continuing your mental health journey by talking with a therapist either here on BetterHelp or through your insurance or community. Again, there is help. You do not have to suffer with your symptoms alone. In the meantime try to practice good self care. Take it slow and be gentle with yourself. Don't isolate and try to keep engaging in activities even if you don't feel like it. Getting out there and staying engaged can help you to overcome the anxiety.

Again, thank you for your question. I hope that you are able to overcome the anxiety that is holding you back. Best wishes.

Heather Michael