fundamental The best treatment and support for your social anxiety are those that work. No two support systems or treatment plans are the same for everyone. Exploring what works for you and finding out what doesn t is all part of the process in learning to manage and work with your social anxiety. While finding the right support for you can take time and experimentation, it s emotional labor well spent. What Type of Support is Right for Me? Each type of support has its pros and cons, and it s important to decide if the benefits outweigh the discomfort the support method can cause. Just because it works well for one person doesn t mean it will work for you. Even if a type of support was the best fit for you in the past, it might not be the right type for you at this moment in time. To find the right type of support for you, you ll need to explore your options. Phone Support If just the thought of the phone ringing sends your heart racing, a phone session with your therapist is not likely to be the right support setting for you then again, it might be, particularly if you re working on creating positive associations with that stimulus. If you re inclined to look for support on your phone, but aren t ready to have a voice chat, some providers also offer texting options, especially if you re experiencing a crisis. In-Person Support In-person support comes in two forms: group and one-on-one. If your social anxiety is too out of control to even think about chatting in a group setting, a one-on-one with your therapist might be the best way to go. However, it can be a relief to talk to a group of people who really do get it when it comes to social anxiety, and to know you aren t alone. If you re ready to jump into an in-person support group for social anxiety, it might be helpful to see if your therapist can come along for the first visit to offer you support, if needed. Online Support If the idea of like-minded individuals working on their social anxiety appeals to you but you can t endure a face-to-face encounter, consider online support. Online support can come in the form of social forums to discuss issues, chat rooms to talk real-time, social media pages to discover news, information and useful links and even support groups or one-on-one chat (both video and text based) with some therapists. While it can be tempting to do all of your business online, it may spiral into never leaving your house again a huge step backward when working with social anxiety. There is something to be said for the benefits of online support, however, and it may be useful to keep as an option for those times when you truly aren t up to phone or in-person support. Finding the Right Support for you Finding the right support is a matter of research, trial and some error. You may need or want one method only, or may patch together a complete support network from two or more methods of support. Talk to your care provider to see what support options are open to you and what would likely be a benefit to your social anxiety journey. Then start trying. When it feels right, you ll feel comfortable with being open and honest about your troubles and your triumphs as you manage life with social anxiety. Podcasts for Social Anxiety Getting Your Education While Battling Anxiety lower
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