Nina Rovner, Lpc-Mhsp

Social anxiety is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This shows up in situations where you may fear being scrutinized or evaluated, such as meeting new people, dating, or even having to talk to a cashier in a store. The anxiety can be so intense that it feels beyond your control and can lead to avoidance of places or events that cause distress.

While therapy is an important way to support yourself if you are struggling with social anxiety, here are some tips to reframe your thinking that may help when you are facing distressing social environments.