Social anxiety is a psychological disorder characterized by an intense fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in social situations. People who experience social anxiety often feel significant discomfort in situations such as public speaking, engaging in conversations with strangers, or participating in social events. This disorder can significantly interfere in the lives of those who suffer from it, affecting their interpersonal relationships, their work performance and their emotional well-being.
Safety behaviors in social anxiety
To cope with social anxiety, people often resort to what are known as "safety behaviors". These behaviors are strategies that seek to reduce fear and anxiety in social situations, but that actually reinforce the feeling of threat and perpetuate the cycle of anxiety. Some examples of common safety behaviors in social anxiety include:
Avoidance of social situations
One of the most common strategies that people with social anxiety use is to avoid situations that they feel uncomfortable with. generate fear or discomfort. This can mean anything from refusing to attend social events to avoiding speaking in public or interacting with strangers. Although in the short term avoidance may provide relief, in the long term it reinforces the belief that social situations are dangerous and makes it difficult to overcome anxiety.
Visual safety
The Visual safety behaviors involve constantly looking for signs of approval or disapproval in the faces or posture of others. People with social anxiety tend to hypervigilate the reactions of those around them, interpreting any gesture as a confirmation of their own negative judgment. This constant search for security reinforces the feeling of threat and contributes to maintaining anxiety.
Rumination and anticipating problems
Another common security behavior in social anxiety is constant rumination and anticipation of problems. People tend to obsess over past or future situations, replaying conversations or social events again and again looking for signs of rejection or humiliation. This constant rumination increases anxiety and emotional distress, fueling the cycle of social anxiety.
Impact of safety behaviors on social anxiety
While safety behaviors can providing momentary relief from social anxiety, they actually contribute to maintaining the problem in the long term. These strategies reinforce the belief that social situations are dangerous and that the person is incapable of facing them without outside help. As a result, social anxiety is perpetuated and can significantly interfere with the daily lives of those who suffer from it.
Addressing safety behaviors in social anxiety
To overcome the social anxiety and reduce the use of safety behaviors, it is essential to work on identifying and modifying dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior. Some strategies that may be helpful include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective interventions for the treatment of social anxiety. Through this therapeutic modality, people learn to identify and question their negative automatic thoughts, as well as modify their avoidant behavior patterns. With the support of a specialized therapist, it is possible to learn strategies to cope with social situations in a more adaptive way and reduce the use of safety behaviors.
Gradual exposure
Gradual exposure is another technique used in the treatment of social anxiety. It consists of progressively facing situations that generate anxiety, allowing the person to experience the situation without resorting to safety behaviors. As the person is repeatedly exposed to these situations, their level of anxiety decreases and their belief in their ability to deal with them effectively strengthens.
Social skills training
Social skills training is another fundamental tool for addressing social anxiety. Through this type of training, people learn strategies to improve their communication skills, establish healthier interpersonal relationships, and deal effectively with social situations. By acquiring these skills, the person feels safer and more confident in social environments, reducing the need to resort to safety behaviors.
In conclusion, safety behaviors in social anxiety are strategies that seek to reduce discomfort and anxiety in social situations, but in the long term they perpetuate the problem. Identifying and addressing these safety behaviors is essential to overcoming social anxiety and improving the quality of life of those who suffer from it.