Social Phobia
by Nicole Thomas
Yesterday I was in a meeting with colleagues up at the hospital. I noticed when I first entered the room, that one person seated in the room seemed particularly uninterested in seeing me. Subsequently, I noticed that whenever I spoke up in the group, my attention focused on that one person who seemed indifferent to what I was saying. I became aware that my attention became as 'stuck' on that one person as a mosquito does on a bare arm in summer! So much so, I would be totally unable to say what anyone else was doing or saying whilst I was speaking since I never paid any attention to anyone else.What I was demonstrating in this situation is what is known as attentional bias. Attentional bias is what occurs when we scan a new situation (usually with our eyes) and identify dangerous elements in it. For example, when we are about to cross a road and notice a car intending to go through the red light, our attention is usually drawn to that vehicle. Not to notice it could have a very dangerous outcome for us.
The attention bias I was showing in my meeting with colleagues, where I became totally focused on someone I perceived as giving negative feedback to me, is very common in social phobia.
Social phobia is a psychological disorder in which people experience intense fear, apprehension, even terror at the prospect of being in a social situation. Eating a meal with others, talking to strangers, speaking up for themselves can be so terrifying that people and situations are avoided. Hence socially phobic people can lead a very isolating existence. This fear of embarrassing oneself socially is so intense it is usually accompanied by physical fear symptoms as well: sweaty palms, racing heart, shortness of breath. The terrible paradox that happens with social phobia is this: people with this disorder usually have highly sensitive natures, yet remain shut out of social experiences because of fear. Their fear of socializing doesn't anaesthetize their desire to be with other people, it simply denies it expression. Not surprisingly, this isolated existence, and the shame that accompanies it, can lead to depression.
Social phobia, however, can be treated very effectively in less than 12 weeks.
One of the most effective treatments for social phobia is known as cognitive behavioural therapy. There are many good things about this form of therapy, but particularly I feel, is that it doesn't need to go into your past in great detail in order for it to be effective. It focuses on the present and the future. Therefore for people who are pretty shy about discussing themselves, it is a very private form of therapy. Successful treatment may involve no more than 12 sessions. The therapy helps people to control their thinking and their attentional biases, so that they enter into previously feared social interactions without fear. The link between the way we think, our feelings and our behaviour is explored through discussion, homework tasks and real life practice. All this is done at a pace that is not overwhelming but allows the person to chip away at the fear that has dictated their own life to them.
Time Magazine (April 2001) had a cover article on phobias and their treatment. In relation to social phobia it wrote "while social phobias do not respond to a single intensive exposure session as specific phobias do, therapy can still be relatively straightforward. A successful treatment regimen may involve no more than a dozen sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy.Often group therapy works better than one-to-one therapy. It provides more than a supportive circle of fellow sufferers: the very act of gathering with other people can serve as a first, critical rebellion against the disorder."(p.53)
The Centre for Psychological and Relationship Counselling in Preston is offering an 8 week treatment program for people experiencing social phobia. The next program commences in the first week of April 2002 and is held on Saturday mornings. For any information on this program, including reserving a place (there are 8 places available) please contact me at the Centre on 9416-9888. The cost for the entire program is $220.
Nicole Thomas
B.B.Sc, M. Psych (Clinical) Registered Psychologist
