Social anxiety can make ordinary situations feel exposing: speaking in a meeting, answering a phone call, eating in public, replying to a message, going to college, dating, meeting friends, or simply being seen.
The articles in this section are written to help you understand what keeps social anxiety going and, more importantly, what you can start doing differently. I focus on practical CBT-based steps, because recovery is not just about knowing why you feel anxious. It is about learning how to respond differently before, during and after the situations you fear.
You will find guides on getting help in Ireland, speaking to your GP, starting exposure gently, reducing safety behaviours, handling social anxiety at work or college, managing shame and rumination, and rebuilding confidence in real-life situations.
I’m Dr Elaine Ryan, a Chartered Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working with anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, in the NHS and private practice. My aim here is to give you clear, practical guidance that you can use in everyday life.
