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201-368-3344

Social Anxiety

Let us help you.

Are you constantly affected by general anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in your everyday social interactions? If you are, then you may have social anxiety.  Hypnosis can help reduce that anxiety.

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations.  If you suffer from social anxiety, you may have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by your own actions.  You might often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation.  Your fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school, and other ordinary activities.  While you may recognize that your fear of being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, you might be unable to overcome it. 

Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation—such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating, drinking, or writing in front of others—or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that you might experience symptoms almost anytime you are around other people.  Social phobia can be very debilitating—it may even keep you from going to work or school on some days.  Like many people with this illness, you might have a hard time making and keeping friends.

Physical symptoms often accompany the intense anxiety of social phobia and include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking.  If you suffer from social phobia, you may be painfully embarrassed by these symptoms and feel as though all eyes are focused on you.  You may be afraid of being with people other than your family.

You might be aware that your feelings are irrational.  Even if you manage to confront what you fear, you usually feel very anxious beforehand and are intensely uncomfortable throughout.  Afterward, the unpleasant feelings may linger, as you worry about how you may have been judged or what others may have thought or observed about you.

Social phobia affects about 5.3 million adult Americans.  Women and men are equally likely to develop social phobia.  The disorder usually begins in childhood or early adolescence, and there is some evidence that genetic factors are involved.  Social phobia often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders or depression.  Substance abuse or dependence may develop in individuals who attempt to "self-medicate" their social phobia by drinking or using drugs.  Social phobia can be treated successfully.

How does hypnosis help? 

Hypnosis can help you address the fundamental causes of your anxiety, and help you learn how to achieve and maintain relaxation in social situations.

The number of sessions necessary depends on your individual anxiety; but most can be resolved in a few sessions. Some individuals may need more. An initial consultation session is necessary to customize your treatment and make the hypnosis as effective as possible.

How do I start?

Are you anxious in social situations? Do not hesitate to call us at 1-201-368-3344.

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