How Exposure Therapy Helps Treat Social Anxiety Disorders
- Priyanka
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
Social anxiety can be crippling if you let your fear overwhelm you. Thankfully, there are many ways to manage and treat social anxiety.
Key Points
Exposure therapy is an effective technique used by therapists to treat social anxiety.
Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing a person to their fears in a safe way until their anxiety lowers.
There are various types of exposure therapy, including in-vivo exposure, virtual reality exposure, and imaginal exposure.
What Is Exposure Therapy For Social Anxiety?
There are many ways to treat social anxiety, and exposure therapy is an effective technique used by many therapists. It is also a core component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Exposure therapy involves having people slowly confront their fears, such as public speaking, social situations, eating in public, using a public washroom and more.
People with social anxiety tend to avoid their fears, causing significant stress, lower life satisfaction, and potential work or school performance issues. Avoiding the issue tends to perpetuate the problem, leading to more distress.
Exposure therapy, put simply, desensitizes you to your fear through gradual exposure to the fear, in a safe environment. In general, the more you do something, the less afraid you tend to become.
How Does Exposure Therapy For Social Anxiety Work?
There are a few types of exposure therapy available. Depending on the severity of your condition, your therapist can help you assess which type is best for you:
In Vivo Exposure
This form of exposure therapy involves directly facing your fear in real life through certain activities.
For example, someone who is afraid of spiders may be instructed by their therapist to hold a spider for 5 seconds. Then, gradually, they’ll increase the exposure time till they feel comfortable.
Virtual Reality Exposure
Virtual reality exposure therapy involves using virtual reality technology to expose clients to fears they may have. This is particularly useful when vivo exposure is not really practical.
For example, someone who is afraid of flying can simulate the act of flying through VR from the comfort of their home or therapist’s office.
Imaginal Exposure
This form of exposure therapy involves vividly imagining an object, situation or ordeal that the client fears. It is particularly useful for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For example, a person with PTSD can share or recount details of their trauma to reduce feelings of panic, stress and fear.
What Types Of Social Anxiety Can Exposure Therapy Treat?
Exposure therapy can treat various types of fears related to social anxiety, including:
Fear Of Public Speaking
Public speaking (a.k.a. glossophobia) is a common fear that many individuals face. In fact, according to a research paper in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, fears of public speaking were prevalent in 15% to 30% of the general population. However, when it starts to affect your life or performance at school or work, it’s best to seek help.
With exposure therapy, you’ll learn to overcome your fear of public speaking by gradually exposing yourself to situations that involve speaking in front of people. It may start with a simple conversation between strangers, then progress to small groups, and ultimately, in front of larger crowds.
With practice, public speaking will become easier and lead to fewer or less intense physiological symptoms such as sweating, shaking and dizziness.
Fear Of Conflict
Many people with social anxiety have a fear of conflict. As a result, they may have a hard time speaking up, whether it’s at work, school or in personal relationships. This can lead to various issues such as being taken advantage of, missing work opportunities or relationship issues.
With exposure therapy, your therapist will teach you to gradually stop shying away from speaking your mind, even in uncomfortable situations. With practice, your therapist will teach you to be more assertive, how to say no and be direct.
Fear Of Social Situations
Those with social anxiety often fear various social situations such as:
Attending a party
Meeting new people
Going on a date
Visiting new places (ex: a bar, coffee shop)
Regardless of the situation, with exposure therapy, your therapist will provide you with tools to navigate various social settings to help reduce fear.
When Is Exposure Therapy Right For You?
Exposure therapy is not for everyone. The best candidates for exposure therapy are those who are aware of what triggers their anxiety. For example, do social situations, stress, public speaking, or financial uncertainty cause you anxiety?
Knowing what causes your anxiety is important because the goal of exposure therapy is to gradually expose you to the object or situation you’re avoiding or fear. Gradual exposure in a safe and controlled environment, with the help of a therapist, can help reduce the anxiety and fear you may feel.
The goal of exposure is to gradually expose ourselves to whatever it is that we are avoiding, which helps us reduce the anxiety and make progress toward our life aims.
Other Types Of Ways To Manage Social Anxiety
While exposure therapy is a widely used approach, it's not the only option. There are several other methods that can help individuals manage social anxiety effectively, including:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT has been shown to be effective for various mental health conditions, including social anxiety.
It focuses on the acceptance of difficult feelings or thoughts instead of trying to suppress, change, or control them.
To better manage these difficult feelings, ACT works on developing psychological flexibility. It does so by practicing mindful exercises, being present in the moment and various other techniques. It also works to identify personal values to help provide direction and a sense of purpose.
Learn more: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Group Therapy For Social Anxiety
If you struggle with social anxiety, group therapy can be a great way to gain exposure in a safe and supportive environment. Group therapy for social anxiety generally involves small groups of people with similar issues, working on coping with their fears by sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences, with a therapist to guide and teach practical coping strategies.
Learn more: Social Anxiety Group Therapy
Bottom Line
Social anxiety can have a significant impact on your quality of life, depending on the severity of the condition. That said, all is not lost; if you’re struggling with social anxiety, speak to a specialist to help you determine if exposure therapy is right for you. Exposure therapy is
FAQs
Does social anxiety go away with exposure?
Exposure therapy can help reduce social anxiety symptoms; however, it can regress without continuous effort or support.
How long does exposure therapy take for social anxiety?
The time it takes for exposure therapy to work depends on numerous factors, including the severity of the condition, commitment to therapy and more. However, in general, you may see results within several weeks to months.
How effective is exposure therapy for social anxiety?
According to a research study on the National Library of Medicine, exposure therapy is highly effective for social anxiety disorder.
Disclaimer
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak to your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health.
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