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NorthShore’s online source for timely health and wellness news, inspiring patient stories and tips to lead a healthy life.
By Isabelle Banin
If you often find yourself over thinking your last conversation or are nervous to talk to new people at parties, you’re not alone. Feeling high levels of social anxiety from time to time is common, and over 12% of Americans could qualify as having social anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime.
The pandemic has also taught us self-isolating behaviors and has made many of us more anxious. While it may feel comfortable at times to stay inside our pandemic shells, isolation and loneliness pose significant risks to our health.
The good news is that you can take steps to overcome social anxiety. Brandy Wolff Crandall, PhD, a NorthShore Clinical Psychologist, has these tips:
While this article includes general advice to decrease social anxiety, a licensed mental health professional can provide you with an individualized treatment plan. If you believe you may have an anxiety disorder, visit NorthShore’s Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences or your preferred provider to book an appointment. Even if your symptoms are of low severity, a mental health professional can still help you determine your goals and improve toward them.