Social anxiety disorder is real and affects many of us

Social anxiety disorder is real and affects many of us, especially since COVID 19.  Only today I met with a very dear friend who will remain nameless. They confided in me, admitting that they were feeling very anxious about meeting up with friends again. My friend has been working from home and has completely and sensibly complied with all the rules and guidelines around lockdown. This has resulted in only socialising within the strict bubble.   

Social anxiety disorder is a persistent fear of, or anxiety about, one or more social or performance situations that is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the situation.   

According to a study produced by NICE. (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ) which is an executive non-departmental public body of the English Department of Health, in the US :

• 12% of adults in the US will have social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives
• 6% will have  generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
• 5% will have panic disorder
• 7% will have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• 2% will have obsessive–compulsive disorder  

I therefore pose the question; Are you feeling anxious about going into the office after such a long time away? Or just socialising both personally or within a business environment? I guess it's similar to those feelings we have when we go into work after a long period away from work due to a holiday or illness. Will you remember passwords? Meetings? What's going on in a colleagues life or projects you are involved in? Deadlines? Rebuilding social networks etc.

At this stage we have no idea how the pandemic together with these unprecedented times will impact on our own lives and the lives of people close to us, both in the immediate future and also in the long term.

What we do know is that anxiety is a natural feeling and is essential to help us with our 'fight or flight' mode, but sometimes this can spiral out of control causing shaking, chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness and in extreme cases panic attacks.

It's important to be kind to yourself. This is an anxiety-provoking and stressful time for everyone and it's ok if you feel more anxious than usual. Take time for yourself to manage your mental health, whether it be a  hot bath, listening to relaxing music, breathing, exercise, reading, or a 'mental massage' by using hypnotherapy sessions. Whatever your choice, choose what works for you.

When someone is suffering from anxiety it's essential the mind is 're-trained' by peeling back the subconscious layers to help you find the answers you need. Confronting and dealing with the root cause of the problem effectively allows the mind to heal itself to a point where moving on is possible.

In essence, hypnotherapy effectively re-sets your anxiety levels to a 'healthy' level by reinstating calm and relaxation giving you tools to overcome whatever is stopping you from enjoying a fulfilling life and helping you to overcome the challenges you face.

Remember… your brain is your environment, so change your environment!