Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is the constant worry of being judged negatively by others. Some choose to deal with their social anxiety by secluding themselves and avoiding social interaction. Some others choose to compensate by drinking alcohol or using other drugs. These symptoms often worsen without the help of a psychologist.
Social anxiety is often a result of low self-esteem. It is often conflated with shyness or introversion.
Social Phobia
Social phobia is especially a concern to those who require social interactions to perform important life functions. Whether it is for career advancement or simply to engage with the opposite sex, social anxiety can interfere with such basic functioning and create distress. Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, virtual reality-based exposure, and desensitization techniques are recommended in the treatment of social anxiety and social phobia.