Exposure therapy forsocial anxiety disorder(SAD) can help you overcome fears of specific social and performance situations.
This strategy can sustain your anxiety in the long term.
Leaving situations in a state of panic also teaches you they are to be feared.
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Exposure therapy for this fear involves gradually engaging in more difficult situations involving eating in front of others.
You might imagine using a public restroom and then gradually work your way up to using a public facility.
You might start in an uncrowded setting and progressively use restrooms in increasingly crowded parameters.
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Do you sometimes avoid the phone or let the answering machine pick up?
The problem is that constantly trying to avoid the limelight can increase fear and anxiety about these situations.
This can lead to missed opportunities, reduce your achievement, create additional anxiety, and contribute tosocial isolation.
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Rank them according to the least to most fear-inducing.
Then, slowly and safely work your way through each situation.
Exposure for Public Speaking Fears
Fears of public speaking are common.
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It is one of the most common types of social fear.
Research suggests that 15% to 30% of all people have public speaking anxiety.
Gradually facing increasingly difficult public speaking scenarios is one way to overcome your fears.
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A key part of this exposure is also learning tobe more assertiveand practicingassertive behaviors.
Strategies such as learning how to say no, avoidingpeople-pleasing, and being direct can help.
If you do find yourself with severe symptoms, exposure therapy practiced on your own may be too difficult.
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