The fear of being judged by others isn’t unusual. You can feel like people are watching you in social or work situations. Some people may avoid meeting new people because they aren’t comfortable, fear, or have anxiety around new people. Sometimes, we all experience feelings of fear or anxiety. However, if these feelings last more than six months or prevent you from everyday tasks, you may have social anxiety disorder. By seeking treatment and joining an alumni program after you complete it, you can create healthy skills to help you with social anxiety disorder.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent, overwhelming feeling that others are watching you. You might feel they’re judging you and fear being rejected. Feelings of fear, anxiety, being judged, or being rejected can affect your life and can prevent you from trying new things or talking to people at work or in social situations.
Social Interactions
Those with social anxiety disorder can’t control feelings of fear in social or work situations. These feelings of fear or anxiety prevent them from shopping, going to work, or going out with friends. In some cases, SAD can create an intense fear of an activity that may be days, weeks, or months away. If you have SAD, you may try to avoid situations like going to a social event or going to a place like the park.
While some people cannot interact with others or complete daily tasks, others can. Yet, those who can engage with others or complete tasks have an enormous amount of fear or anxiety when they are doing them.
You may not have anxiety connected to interactions with others. Instead, your anxiety may be related to things like public performances. Maybe you fear giving speeches, being in a recital, or playing sports because you feel people are watching and judging you.
Social Anxiety Disorder and Treatment
You may have begun to withdraw from social situations in your teens. Some may have said you were too shy or should get out more. However, these feelings of fear and anxiety were the beginning of SAD. Approximately 12% of the population is diagnosed with SAD. Additionally, SAD is diagnosed more in females than males. The good news is that as more research is done, therapists and others in society are learning more about SAD and how to treat it. While in treatment, you may discuss with your therapist joining an alumni program.
Treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EDMR) have helped people with a diagnosis of SAD. Here at Renaissance Ranch, we provide evidence-based practices that are clinically proven and effective. We also recognize the importance of gender-based treatment. For women who have SAD, we offer personalized treatment that reflects your needs. Our women-only treatment center allows you to feel safe and comfortable while working to learn healthy life skills.
Furthermore, evidence-based treatments like psychotherapy (talk therapy) and group therapy provide the support and feedback that is vital to those with SAD. It is possible to carry these feelings into your life even after treatment. That’s why it is important to stay connected with your treatment center by joining an alumni program. For this reason, once you complete residential or outpatient treatment for SAD, you should consider joining an alumni program. By joining an alumni program, you can find people who understand and support you.
Band of Brothers Alumni Program
Renaissance Ranch’s alumni program, the Band of Brothers, encourages you to remain involved and motivated in your recovery. When you complete treatment, your journey isn’t over. By joining an alumni program, you build a healthy, strong support system.
The Benefits of Joining an Alumni Program
Joining an alumni program creates a healthy space to discuss your thoughts and feelings. You will find and build a bond with others who have experienced how a mental health disorder affects their life. Your alumni group members can also help you maintain the work you did during your treatment.
Alumni groups often plan get-togethers outside of the group meeting space. Your fellow alumni will include you in these gatherings and encourage you to interact at your comfort level. These social events can teach you skills that can be carried into your work or personal life. Joining an alumni program opens up your life to new and exciting possibilities.
Another benefit of joining an alumni program is having support. Your fellow alumni will listen to you when you need to discuss social situations or events. They can help you cope with new experiences or social interactions. A vital part of an alumni group is the chance to have unbiased, truthful thoughts on how people in the group see you. Their feedback allows you to hear how others see you. Learning how others see you enables you to realize your anxiety about being judged or rejected isn’t genuine or contorted. Knowing others aren’t judging you like you think they are can also increase positive feelings towards yourself. It can also help decrease anxiety about social interactions.
Another benefit of joining an alumni program is learning from others. You can ask others in the group who are diagnosed with SAD how they cope with feelings of anxiety or fear. Listening to them describe healthy coping skills can increase your knowledge of interacting with others. Members of the group can also support you in your self-care journey.
Self-Care and Joining an Alumni Program
Here at Renaissance Ranch, we encourage you to discover ways to increase your self-care. Yet, we don’t stop supporting you in your journey once you leave our residence or outpatient program. We understand the need to connect with others and discover healthy ways to bolster or build your self-care tools. By joining an alumni program, you can maintain your recovery while discovering new ways to connect, explore, and share experiences with others.
There are many benefits to joining an alumni program. Here at Renaissance Ranch, we encourage you to become involved in our alumni program, Band of Brothers. By joining, you remain connected to those who are committed to their recovery. Your fellow alumni are there to support you and help you through your recovery journey. The friendship found in Band of Brothers will help you learn about yourself. You will also allow yourself to engage in social events. Through discussion and listening to others you can gain healthy skills to support you as you increase participation in social events. At Renaissance Ranch, we believe in helping you discover healthy skills to live your life. To learn more, call (801) 308-8898.