
Social anxiety disorder, sometimes called social phobia, is a mental health challenge defined by an overwhelming dread of social interaction. People facing this often grapple with intense, significant worry over judgment, scrutiny, or embarrassment in social settings, which can significantly disrupt daily life at school, work, or in personal relationships.
Unlike everyday shyness or introversion, which reflect personality, social anxiety brings persistent, deep emotional suffering, seriously preventing someone from interacting confidently and comfortably in social situations.
Even picturing an upcoming gathering or being around other people can often suddenly trigger uneasy mental and physical symptoms. These moments impact both mind and body, making social tasks feel overwhelming and hard to face.
Social anxiety disorder develops through a range of influences. In some individuals, the issue follows experiences like bullying, harsh feedback, or exclusion. In others, inherited tendencies or variations in neural processing could be influential. Also, insecure early attachments or ineffective coping methods might fuel the emergence of lasting and persistent social worries and avoidance behaviors.
Among the most diagnosed mental health issues in the U.S., social anxiety ranks highly. Nearly 7% of individuals face this concern at any given moment, and by some stage in life, about 13% will go through it, placing it as the nation’s third most common and widespread mental health challenge overall.
Absolutely. With professional treatment and specialized support, many people experience remarkable progress and enjoy active, connected lives. A leading approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which guides clients to identify unhelpful thought cycles and steadily gain assurance in social environments. Additionally, in certain situations, medications like SSRIs or beta-blockers can often be recommended to ease symptoms.
Lots of patients find that initially starting therapy with online sessions feels less daunting. Over time, virtual visits let people get support right from home’s comfort and security, often boosting their willingness to participate. Then, as they grow more accustomed, moving into face-to-face therapy can bring extra advantages, gently exposing clients to new, supportive social interactions in a safe, guided therapeutic setting.
Seeking treatment for social anxiety disorder offers life-changing benefits by helping individuals navigate social situations, restore daily functioning, and improve overall well-being. With the right support, those living with social anxiety disorder can reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, strengthen relationships, and lead more balanced, fulfilling lives. At Diligence Care, our virtual care model ensures accessible, consistent, and compassionate treatment from licensed professionals. Combining evidence-based therapy with medication management, patients gain the tools they need to navigate emotional highs and lows while staying empowered and in control of their mental health.
During our 45-minute session, we'll conduct a detailed evaluation of your emotional wellness, exploring your struggles and aspirations. We’ll review signs, discuss care possibilities, and develop a tailored recovery strategy.
Follow-up appointments deliver continuous support and may include medication oversight to guarantee your treatment plan remains effective and tailored to your needs.
• Evening and weekend appointments available.
• Access to telehealth services from the comfort of your home.
• Reschedule or cancel sessions easily through our online portal.
Our Professional Psychiatric Providers are Here to Support You
Social Anxiety can hold you back in life, and we’re here to help. Overcome your fear of social situations with therapy and counseling, from the compassionate providers at Diligence Care.
EXCELLENT Based on 34 reviews Gabrielle miles2025-04-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful annie kissiah2025-04-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Diligence always meets my medical needs and schedules me quickly. Highly recommend! Alyssa McCurry2025-04-25Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Tony, is amazing! He’s extremely intelligent and kind really takes the time to understand each individual and makes you feel heard and seen! Would Recommend him 10 out of 10 Jazmin Allmendinger2025-04-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Tony was amazing. He really listened to how I was feeling and my issues and worked very closely with me on a plan to get started on getting my issues under control. Kathleen Fong2025-04-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Bernadette has helped me so much during my mental health journey. Thanks to her guidance and some additional therapy, I am doing much better now than I was a year ago. Thank you so much! Sarah Skillian2025-04-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tony Akpengbe is a great Dr and I’d recommend him to others. He listens and talks about how your doing
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