Most of us experience shyness and nervousness if we have to speak in front of a large crowd. Whether a presentation or a speech, feeling nervous is common and normal. But for some people, the fear of attention is intense. They feel they are always being watched, judged, and will soon embarrass themselves. These feelings may point to social anxiety. Social situations are a huge source of discomfort and stress for people with social anxiety disorders. The most common therapy for treating the disorder is Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT.
But CBT involves an in-person visit to the therapy clinic. The person would have to deal with social interaction. This is a source of stress for someone with social anxiety. Luckily, there is another way to treat the symptoms of social anxiety. And it does not involve social interactions. Virtual therapy can be highly beneficial for this mental health issue. Getting counseling for depression and anxiety is now easy with the growing popularity of online therapy.
Social Anxiety is a genuine disorder. It can greatly impact your life and relationships negatively. You are not alone if you suffer social anxieties. It is different from shyness and occasional nervousness in understandable situations. Here are the symptoms:
- Constant worry about being judged and watched
- Intense fear of being humiliated
- Horrified about social situations
- Inability to make eye contact
- Afraid of social interactions
- Physical symptoms include a fast heartbeat, edginess, sweating, nausea, and shaking.
- Inability to focus when talking to people in social situations
Here’s how virtual therapy can help you overcome these symptoms:
Accessibility
With virtual therapy, you don’t have to visit the therapy clinic and deal with people. You can receive treatment from your most comfortable space – your bedroom, living room, or backyard. You can schedule the sessions at your most convenient time and place. This will greatly reduce the anxious feeling.
Convenience and comfort
If you have social anxiety symptoms, online therapy can make you feel more at ease during the sessions. You do not have to deal with the therapist in person. Therefore, you will be more comfortable opening up and sharing your feelings. You also experience a sense of privacy, which increases comfort and trust. This can increase the therapy’s effectiveness. And it can quickly put you on the path to improved mental health and well-being.
Safe space
Online therapy can greatly benefit you if you suffer panic attacks in social situations. The sessions often involve different exercises that help you cope and overcome the symptoms. In the safe space of your home, you can do these exercises with your best therapist. For example, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy is an effective way to treat this disorder. VRET involves placing the person in a computer simulation that mimics real-life anxiety-inducing situations. By participating in this virtual reality, the person’s anxiety can deal with their social anxiety. It will reduce the symptoms and help you to build confidence slowly.
Virtual therapy can be valuable to persons with social anxiety. It provides easy accessibility, convenience, comfort, and a safe space. These important elements help deal with the symptoms and overcome social anxiety.
