What Is Social Anxiety? Understanding Symptoms, Causes, And How To Overcome It

Social anxiety is a mental health condition where intense fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations causes distress and avoidance.

TL;DR

  • Social anxiety involves a persistent fear of being judged or negatively evaluated in social or performance situations.

  • Symptoms include blushing, sweating, nausea, racing heart, fear of embarrassment, and avoiding social events.

  • It's different from shyness and can significantly impact quality of life.

  • Treatments like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), exposure therapy, and mindfulness are highly effective.

  • Social anxiety is treatable with support from a clinical psychologist or mental health professional.

WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY?

Social anxiety — also known as Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) — is more than just being shy or introverted. It's a clinically recognised anxiety disorder that involves a deep and persistent fear of social situations where the person feels they may be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinised.

While most people feel nervous in situations like public speaking or job interviews, those with social anxiety experience intense distress even in everyday interactions — ordering coffee, attending a meeting, or talking on the phone.

According to Beyond Blue and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), social anxiety affects approximately 11% of Australians during their lifetime.

COMMON SOCIAL ANXIETY SYMPTOMS

Social anxiety symptoms can be physical, emotional, and behavioural. They often emerge during adolescence and can persist without treatment.

EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

  • Intense fear of being judged or humiliated

  • Worry about appearing anxious or awkward

  • Excessive self-consciousness in social settings

  • Overanalysing past conversations or anticipating future failure

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

  • Blushing or shaking

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Sweating or nausea

  • Dry mouth

  • Difficulty speaking or maintaining eye contact

BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

  • Avoiding social events or group settings

  • Withdrawing from conversations

  • Relying on alcohol or other substances to cope

  • Delaying or refusing to speak in public, even when necessary

WHAT TRIGGERS SOCIAL ANXIETY?

  • Public speaking or presentations

  • Meeting new people

  • Eating or drinking in front of others

  • Making phone calls

  • Being watched while working

  • Attending group events or parties

  • Being the centre of attention

It's not about a lack of social skills — many people with social anxiety are warm, intelligent, and articulate. The issue lies in the fear of negative evaluation, which can become all-consuming.

SOCIAL ANXIETY VS SHYNESS

It's important to distinguish social anxiety disorder from ordinary shyness.

  • Shyness: Temporary discomfort in new settings, does not interfere with daily life, mild nervousness.

  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Persistent, intense fear in social situations, impacts work, relationships, and wellbeing, with physical symptoms and strong avoidance.

IS SOCIAL ANXIETY TREATABLE?

Yes — and highly treatable. With the right support, most people see significant improvement.

1. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT)

CBT is often referred to as the gold standard treatment for social anxiety. It works by:

  • Challenging unhelpful thoughts (e.g. "They'll think I'm stupid")

  • Replacing negative self-beliefs with realistic ones

  • Gradual exposure to feared situations

  • Developing confidence in social interactions

2. EXPOSURE THERAPY

Exposure therapy is often used as part of CBT. It involves facing feared social situations step-by-step, starting small and building up — such as making small talk with a barista, joining a group class, or giving a short presentation at work.

3. ACT AND MINDFULNESS-BASED THERAPY

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) help clients observe anxious thoughts and sensations without reacting or avoiding.

4. SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING

Some individuals benefit from learning structured communication tools or role-playing social scenarios in a safe environment with a psychologist.

A NOTE ON MEDICATION

In some cases, a GP or psychiatrist may recommend medications in conjunction with psychological therapy, these medications include:

  • SSRIs (e.g. escitalopram or sertraline)

  • Beta-blockers (to reduce physical symptoms like shaking during presentations)

  • Benzodiazepines (short-term only)

WHEN TO SEEK HELP

  • You consistently avoid social events or speaking in public

  • Anxiety affects your performance at work or university

  • You feel isolated, lonely, or misunderstood

  • You overthink or regret most social interactions

  • You rely on alcohol or other substances to "get through" social situations

YOU'RE NOT ALONE — AND HELP IS AVAILABLE

Social anxiety is one of the most common anxiety disorders, yet many people suffer in silence. You don't need to.

At Equilibrium Psychology, our team of Clinical Psychologists offers compassionate, evidence-based support to help you understand and overcome social anxiety.

LOCAL SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ANXIETY

Our clinic is located just 3 minutes from Wynyard Station in the Sydney CBD, and we support clients across Barangaroo, Ultimo, Pyrmont, Surry Hills and beyond.

We also offer telehealth appointments for individuals Australia-wide, including after-hours sessions.

WHY CHOOSE EQUILIBRIUM PSYCHOLOGY?

Established almost 20 years ago by clinical psychologist Gemma Cribb, our experienced team of more than 20 clinical psychologists registered with AHPRA, (plus Angel the therapy dog!) can provide practical, respectful, and effective approach to anxiety treatment. We offer:

  • CBT, ACT, EMDR, and mindfulness-based therapy

  • LGBTQIA+ inclusive care

  • Medicare rebates with a GP referral

  • After hours and telehealth appointments

  • No waitlists

  • Experienced psychologists registered with AHPRA

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

You don't have to let social anxiety keep holding you back.

👉 Send an enquiry online, or

📞 Call our friendly team on (02) 9262 6156 to find the right psychologist for you.

NEED URGENT SUPPORT?

If you're feeling overwhelmed or need immediate help, please contact:

These services are available 24/7 and can provide immediate support.

*Last updated: July 2025*

REFERENCES

- Beyond Blue. Social Anxiety Disorder. https://www.beyondblue.org.au

- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Anxiety Disorders. https://www.ranzcp.org

Gemille Cribb