Introduction

“Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just Shyness”

Are you afraid of being judged by others? Are you self-conscious in everyday social situations? Do you avoid
meeting new people due to fear or anxiety? If you have been feeling this way for at least 6 months and these
feelings make it hard for you to do everyday tasks, such as talking to people at work or school, you may have
social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This fear can affect
work, school, and other daily activities. It can even make it hard to make and keep friends. The good news is
social anxiety disorder is treatable.
Social phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. People who have social phobia experience extreme and
persistent anxiety associated with social or performance situations. A person with social phobia experiences
anxiety in situations where they are likely to be scrutinized and observed by others. They may have persistent
fears about being judged, criticized, ridiculed or humiliated.

Most people feel shy or nervous in certain social situations. Public speaking or entering a roomful of strangers
can cause anxiety in many people. However, this kind of common apprehension doesn’t indicate a social
phobia. For people with social phobia, social situations provoke feelings that extend beyond simple anxiety or
nervousness.

Theoretical Framework

The Cognitive Theory of Social Anxiety

THE MAIN POINT:
One of the main theories about social anxiety asserts that social anxiety is related to overestimating the negative
aspects of social interactions, and underestimating the positive aspects. Individuals with social anxiety tend to
overestimate the threat of social interactions, the likelihood of negative outcomes, and the consequences of
negative outcomes. Individuals with social anxiety also tend to underestimate their ability to handle social
interactions. One popular treatment for social anxiety targets these patterns of thinking, and also encourages
individuals with social anxiety to practice engaging in social interactions.
THE DETAILS:
One theory about social anxiety is that patterns of thoughts and beliefs play an important role in social anxiety,
and targeting these thoughts and beliefs can be a helpful way to treat it. These patterns of thinking tend to lead
them to avoid social interactions.
Beliefs and expectations
According to the cognitive theory, individuals with social anxiety tend to:
 –  Overestimate the level of threat in social situations. (For example, “This person is going to be judging
me.”)
 –  Underestimate their ability to handle social situations. (For example, “I’m going to say something
stupid.”)
 –  Expect negative outcomes from interactions in social environments. (For example, “He is going to
think I’m stupid.”)
 –  Overestimate the consequences of these negative outcomes. (For example, “He’s probably going to
tell everyone at the office how stupid I am, and then I’ll probably be fired.”)Because of these beliefs and
expectations, social interactions are often avoided. Focus of attention during social interactions. When
individuals with social anxiety are in social interactions, they tend to focus more on how they are being
perceived by other people (for example, “My handshake was too weak. She’s going to think I have no
confidence….”), rather than on the interaction itself.
-This focus on one’s own performance can be very distracting, and can get in the way of having a positive
interaction with someone else.
-This attention can also lead one to only pay attention to the negative aspects of how they are interacting with
others.
-Because of this focus, individuals with social anxiety tend to remember past interactions as worse than they
really were.
This pattern can lead to more avoidance of social interactions.
Strategies that get in the way of effective interactions
In social settings, individuals with social anxiety often use strategies to avoid negative outcomes. These
strategies are used to prevent bad outcomes, but often get in the way of having a good outcome. For example, in
order to avoid saying something stupid in a large group, someone with social anxiety might not speak at all. As
a result, one would succeed in not saying anything perceived by others as stupid, but would also miss an
opportunity to have a positive interaction.
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Social Anxiety
One of the most popular and well-research treatments for social anxiety is cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT).
Although there are a number of variations to this treatment, two of the most common elements of this treatment
include the following:
– CBT helps individuals to evaluate and modify their own negative beliefs and expectations about social
interactions.
– Because avoiding social interactions is a strong feature of social anxiety, a CBT therapist supports individuals
to engage in social interactions that tend to be avoided.
Research has shown that this type of therapy can be helpful in treating social anxiety. However, there are many
different types of treatment, and one approach may fit some individuals better than others.
 Objective

Objective. The aim of this study is to assess and cure the prevalence and associated factors of social phobia
among high school students in Juan R. Liwag Memorial High School – Senior High School
Sociophobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is a mental health condition that can be effectively treated
with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
1. Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for social anxiety
disorder. It helps people identify and challenge negative thought patterns and learn new ways of thinking and
behaving in social situations. Exposure therapy is another type of therapy that gradually exposes people to
anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled environment to help them overcome their fears.
2. Medication: Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed to help manage the symptoms
of social anxiety disorder. These medications can help reduce feelings of fear and anxiety and improve overall
well-being.
3. Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation
can also be helpful in managing social anxiety disorder. It's important to seek professional help from a mental
health provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan
4. Encourage them to seek professional help: Encourage your loved one to seek professional help from a
mental health provider. A therapist can help them develop coping strategies and overcome their fears.
5. Be patient and understanding: People with sociophobia may feel overwhelmed in social situations, and it
may take time for them to feel comfortable around others. Be patient and understanding, and avoid pressuring
them to participate in social activities they are not ready for.
6. Offer reassurance: People with sociophobia may struggle with self-doubt and negative thoughts. Offer
words of encouragement and remind them of their strengths and abilities.
7. Practice active listening: Listen to your loved one's concerns and validate their feelings. Let them know that
you are there to support them and that they are not alone.
8. Be a positive social influence: Encourage your loved one to participate in social activities, but be mindful of
their comfort level. Try to create positive social experiences that can help build their confidence and reduce
their anxiety. In conclusion, providing care for someone with sociophobia requires patience, understanding, and
support. Encouraging them to seek professional help, offering reassurance, practicing active listening, and being
a positive social influence can all help to improve their mental health and well-being.

Remember this phobia is a debilitating mental health condition that affects a person's ability
to interact with others and can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Conceptual Framework