Help for Social Anxiety at the Rickmansworth 
Thrive Programme and Hypnotherapy Clinic

Social anxiety hypnotherapy and Thrive Programme treatment in Rickmansworth clinic serving the areas of Amersham, Chesham Harefield and Berkhamsted

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety is a fear of any situation where the sufferer is likely to feel 'on the spot', embarassed, humiliated or judged - for example; dinner parties, public speaking, interviews or going on dates.

It is a fear of uncomfortable, embarrassing or humiliating situations in the presence of other people and the fear of being judged that arises from that. This is also known as social anxiety, social anxiety disorder, or even just shyness. It is probably the most common phobia there is - and certainly one of the most common symptoms my clients consult me for. You might feel relieved to hear that almost everybody has it to some extent in certain situations.

The Link with Self Esteem

Social anxiety is the result of a set of negative beliefs that you have about yourself in social situations. You worry that you will act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing and will be harshly judged by others. If you are expecting or worrying about feeling shy/tongue-tied/boring etc in front of others, it's easy to build up anxieties about these situations or people, so your fears become a self-fulfilling prophesy. We create what we fear.

Social Anxiety is simply a reflection of your own self esteem and self beliefs - if you felt 'good enough' in work or social situations, you wouldn't worry about how others perceive you. Instead, you feel out of your depth in certain situations, with the belief that you haven't got the ability to handle them they way you would like to (despite perhaps lots of previous evidence to the contrary!)

 

Since I saw you last, I've been to a few restaurants, something which I used to dread and get really worked up about and then have big wobbles when I was there. But now, I can genuinely enjoy myself and relax, safe in the knowledge that I will be OK. I am really happy with how I have progressed and can feel a definite change in the way I feel and think and I'm much more confident in social situations. I've also noticed that I analyse less about what I think people may think of me. Thank you so, so, so much for sorting me out...

Anita, 37, treated for social anxiety

 

Associated Topics

Click here for Information about Help with Blushing
Click here for Information about Help with Shyness

Social anxiety usually starts in our younger years (although it often just called being 'shy') or can be triggered off by a particularly embarrassing event.Associated symptoms include sensitivity to criticism, negative self image, fear of rejection, difficulty in being assertive and feelings of inferiority.

The social phobic worries continuously about how others 'see' them, and what others may think about them - it is not surprising then that the sufferer usually spends a lot of time creating the image they want others to see - or avoiding situations completely. Usually the social phobic is quite adept at concealing their anxiety from others, although there may be a difficulty in maintaining eye contact. It can be described as like having a guard dog, sitting on your shoulder, carefully editing and analysing everything that you say and do in the presence of other people. Having social anxiety can be really quite knackering!!

 

When i first came to see cara I had been suffering from social phobia for many years and low labido that i thought was part of me. I was not happy with myself i wanted to change and tried many forms of therapies namely, reflexology, acupuncture and hypnotherapy but none of them helped...Even everyday things like house work, shopping, picking kids up from school seemed a great effort until I came to see cara, she was warm and approachable and made me feel at ease, and after 4 sessions i began to notice the difference and felt great and had energy. I am no longer nervous and rigid around people, i dont fear social situations like i used to. I no longer feel overwhelmed with tasks, I just get on with things now. My labido is also much better now.

Farrah, 40, treated for social anxiety

 

Symptoms of social anxiety include:

• A fear of public speaking
• A fear of talking on the telephone
• A fear of writing in front of someone
• Blushing, or a fear of blushing
• Stuttering or stammering
• Working too hard (to please others)
• Setting unachievable high standards (and feeling bad when they are not met)
• A preoccupation with how you look: perfecting an image you want others to see (NOT vanity - this is about trying to 'blend in')
• Certain twitches or 'tics'
• Shy bladder (men) not being able to pee, when on the spot
• Certain sexual inhibitions - due to 'performance anxiety'
• Repeated failure of driving test - due to 'performance anxiety'
• A persistent fear of failure, or 'not making the grade'

Basically any situation in life where you might feel embarrassed, on the spot, judged, silly out of control etc.

The good news is that social anxiety can be easily treated at the Rickmansworth Thrive and Hypnotherapy clinic, close to the areas of Amersham, Chesham, Harefield and Berkhamsted.

The Thrive Programme Treatment for Social Anxiety

I can teach you how to feel completely in control of your thoughts and feelings - no longer feeling powerless in situations where previously you felt judged or awkward in front of others. We would work on improving your self esteem and changing you beliefs about yourself in these situations. I will prove to you that no matter how long you've had your social anxiety or low self esteem, it can be hugely improved in just a couple of weeks....and it can stay that way!

This treatment does not involve Hypnosis, it is an empowering and liberating psychological training programme

Social Anxiety Hypnotherapy (also called Clinical Hypnosis)

This is used for easy-to-control, simpler problems. Perhaps you have a presentation coming up at work, a job interview, a forthcoming driving test or wedding speech in the near future? With suggestion therapy, you are relaxed into a very nice, calm, state, and then given suggestions entirely for your benefit, which will help you to feel calmer and more confident when you need to. Please note that I always accompany suggestion therapy sessions with fundemental areas of the Thrive Programme to give you additional insight and control over your issues.

This treatment is suitable for a quick fix for a confidence boost, but not suitable for a more pervasive, general social anxiety.

 

Social Anxiety Hypnotherapy Amersham Chesham Harefield Berkhamsted