How to stop being self-conscious in public: social anxiety

“You’ll never be more socially free than when you realize nobody is paying attention to you”

A lot of people know the feeling of becoming self-conscious when they find themselves alone in social settings. You become aware of yourself, often feel awkward, or start worrying how you might look to others. We can use the beliefs in the Social Anxiety Equation to find a way to reduce this anxiety. Several of the beliefs are potentially helpful, but here I focus mostly on the exaggerated belief that people will notice that you’re alone and that they will think that reveals something flawed about you.

If you want to learn more, I focus on the research related to this in chapter 3 of my new book: https://geni.us/DatingWithoutFear

In this video, we’ll talk about:

0:00 - “I feel like all eyes are on me…”
0:27 - Good questions to ask to reduce the anxiety
1:12 - The Spotlight Effect
2:08 - Personal experiments to test how noticeable we are
2:32 - Are you more interesting than everything else?
3:19 - What drives this belief that we’re noticeable?
4:13 - What to do to be less self-conscious

I'm Dr. Thomas Smithyman, a clinical psychologist making videos to help people overcome social anxiety.


QUESTION — Have a question about anything related to social anxiety? Post in the comments section of this video.

MY BOOK
Out now: https://geni.us/DatingWithoutFear

ONLINE GROUP THERAPY
I’m co-leading an online self-compassion group with Marianne Stout, PhD. Open to TX residents.
https://www.anxietyaustin.com/groups/...

ONLINE THERAPY
I'm not currently accepting new patients for online therapy.

INSTAGRAM
Follow me here:   / socialanxietyequation  

PODCASTS
📱 Subscribe and Listen to the Anxious in Austin Podcast here::
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xUWe9A...

Subscribe to my channel Here:    / @drthomassmithyman  

My mission here is to use video to help people overcome social anxiety. Most people with social anxiety never seek help, and those who do usually wait 16 years! Treatment is effective but people don't know about it. I'd like that to change, and I'd really appreciate any help.




PLEASE READ
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