Social anxiety is more than shyness — it's a persistent, intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected that can prevent you from pursuing jobs, friendships, and experiences. Our therapists provide effective, evidence-based treatment to help you engage in life with genuine confidence.
Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) is the second most common anxiety disorder, yet it often goes unrecognized and untreated for years. People with social anxiety experience intense self-consciousness and fear of negative evaluation in social or performance situations — meetings, dates, parties, phone calls, eating in public, or speaking up in class.
The anticipatory anxiety — dreading an upcoming interaction for days or weeks beforehand — can be as debilitating as the event itself. Afterward, many people ruminate intensively about everything they said or did, reinforcing shame and avoidance. This cycle is exhausting and isolating.
The most effective treatment for social anxiety is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) combined with gradual exposure. CBT helps you identify and challenge the core beliefs driving your social fears — "People will think I'm stupid," "I'll humiliate myself," "I have nothing interesting to say." Exposure practice rebuilds your confidence in social situations step by step.
For some people, medication — particularly SSRIs — provides meaningful relief, especially when combined with therapy. Our psychiatrists offer thorough evaluation and careful prescribing to support your treatment when appropriate.
Many of our clients with social anxiety are high-functioning professionals and students who want to perform and connect at their full potential. Whether your social anxiety is mild or severe, treatment at Riverside will help you show up more fully in your own life.
No — social anxiety is a clinical condition involving intense, persistent fear of negative evaluation that significantly limits daily functioning. Shyness or introversion is a personality trait that does not typically cause this level of distress or impairment.
CBT for social anxiety helps you identify and challenge the core beliefs driving your fear — such as "I'll embarrass myself" or "They'll think I'm boring." Combined with gradual exposure to feared social situations, CBT rebuilds confidence and reduces avoidance.
Social anxiety disorder affects about 7% of the population, making it the second most common anxiety disorder. It often begins in adolescence and frequently goes undiagnosed for years because people develop avoidance strategies that mask how much it's affecting their lives.
Yes — SSRIs are FDA-approved for social anxiety disorder and can provide meaningful relief, especially when combined with therapy. Our psychiatrists provide thorough evaluation and careful prescribing when medication is appropriate for your situation.
Many people with social anxiety are high-functioning professionals who manage by over-preparing, avoiding certain situations, or white-knuckling through events. If social interactions drain you, trigger significant anxiety, or limit your opportunities, therapy can make a meaningful difference.
Our compassionate team in Ashburn & Leesburg is ready to help. New patients welcome.
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