Social Phobia (also known as Social Anxiety)

 

Social phobia is the third largest psychological problem in the world today according to research by the NIMH.

A phobia is basically a fear.  All of us can have fears and may get anxious before meeting new people but once we are there find we settle down quickly, coping and enjoying the situation.  For others, however, these situations create huge amounts of fear and anxiety and in many cases it leads to them to avoid these situations entirely.  This can have a terrible effect on people’s lives and in severe cases leads to the sufferer completely withdrawing from society and life itself. 

A social phobic will worry continuously about how others see them and what others think about them.  They have a pervasive fear of being judged, humiliated or embarrassed when exposed to possible scrutiny by others.  Even though they know it’s not true, people with social phobia feel that everyone is watching, staring and judging them. 

 

Some of the symptoms of social phobia are:

• Feeling panicky at the thought of becoming the centre of attention when you are with other people
• Feeling as though everybody is looking at you and noticing what you are doing
• Not wanting to go into shops or restaurants
• Being afraid to perform in front of others in case you make a fool of yourself, for example in a job interview, meeting or public speaking
• Having a tremendous fear of ‘being put on the spot’
• Stuttering or stammering
• Have a pre-occupation with how you look
• Fear of failure or not being good enough
• Blushing, or a fear of blushing
• Lack of confidence
• Fearful of writing in front of others
• Working too hard to please others
• Shy bladder (men) – not being able to pee when on the spot
• Performance anxiety when having sex
• Feeling anxious when making phone calls
• Fear of being humiliated
• Feeling fearful when eating in front of people

Social phobia responds really well to hypnoanalysis which is a highly effective technique that is painless, fast and safe.   These emotions causing this phobia are completely locked away in the depths of the subconscious mind so the phobic has no conscious awareness of them.  Unlike hypnoanalysis, where you are talking through the bottled up emotions until they are resolved and released, most of the other therapies have no way of accessing these emotions and experiences.  They tend more to try and get you to face your fears which usually only helps for a little while.  Hypnoanalysis requires a strong bond of trust and rapport be created between the therapist and the client.  Over a period of between 8-12 sessions, we slowly link thoughts and memories back through time using a process called ‘Free Association’ until we reach the bottled up emotions causing the phobia.  When these are released, the phobia is gone forever.

In my clinic in South London, I am able to efficiently and professionally help you to have relief from your social phobia.  Please contact me on 07812 948640 to arrange a free consultation with no obligation so we can discuss your specific needs. 

Alternatively, you can email me at liz@lizhogon.co.uk 

YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IS GUARANTEED.

 

Treatment of social phobia and social anxiety at the Clapham Common Clinic using hypnosis and hypnotherapy. This clinic serves South London including the areas of Clapham, Clapham Junction, Balham, Stockwell, Brixton, Tooting, Colliers Wood, London Bridge, Borough, Kennington, Oval, Elephant and Castle, Battersea, Norwood, Wandsworth, Putney, Fulham, Chelsea, Morden, Streatham, Mitcham, Wimbledon, Camberwell, Dulwich, Lambeth, Crystal Palace and Croydon.