intake@legacycounselingservices.com | (918) 505-4367
  • Behance
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Make an Appointment: intake@legacycounselingservices.com | (918) 505-4367
logo
Contact Us Portal for Existing Clients

2035 W. Houston Street, Suite A | Broken Arrow, OK 74012
intake@legacycounselingservices.com | (918) 505-4367

  • Home
  • Our Therapists
    • Dr. Patrick McCain, LPC – Online Therapist
    • Sam Guzman, LPC-Candidate
    • Ted Robinson, LPC
    • Christina Parks, LPC, Clinical Director
    • Sandy Stone, LPC
    • Patti Trammell, LCSW
    • Dr. Melissa J. Leedy, Ph.D. Psychologist
    • Kristi Spence, LMFT
    • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
  • Services
    • Online Therapy in Oklahoma
    • Relationship counseling
      • Couples Counseling
      • Pre-Marital Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • Workshops/Groups Tulsa
      • Battle Buddies: Online Chronic Pain & Illness Support Group
      • Active Parenting of Teens Workshop
      • Virtual Teens Emotional Wellness Group
      • Story Groups Workshops
    • Teen Counseling
      • Tulsa Anxiety Counseling for Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Bullied Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed Teens
    • Individual Counseling
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Anxiety and Worry
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Depression
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Illness, Chronic Disease, and Injury
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Pain
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed, Anxious, or Stressed Women
      • Tulsa Counseling for Insomnia
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Counseling for Trauma
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Emergency and Crisis Management Referrals
    • EMDR Tulsa Counseling for Adults
    • Men’s Issues
    • Public Speaking
    • Therapist Continuing Education Trainings
    • Become an Affiliated Therapist
    • Wellspring Executive Coaching / Business Coaching with Dr. Leedy
  • Getting Started
    • FAQs
    • Client Forms
    • Scheduling and Billing Service
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
    • COVID-19: In-Office and Telehealth Counseling
  • Contact
  • Videos & Blog
  • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
Close menu
  • Home
  • Our Therapists
    • Dr. Patrick McCain, LPC – Online Therapist
    • Sam Guzman, LPC-Candidate
    • Ted Robinson, LPC
    • Christina Parks, LPC, Clinical Director
    • Sandy Stone, LPC
    • Patti Trammell, LCSW
    • Dr. Melissa J. Leedy, Ph.D. Psychologist
    • Kristi Spence, LMFT
    • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
  • Services
    • Online Therapy in Oklahoma
    • Relationship counseling
      • Couples Counseling
      • Pre-Marital Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • Workshops/Groups Tulsa
      • Battle Buddies: Online Chronic Pain & Illness Support Group
      • Active Parenting of Teens Workshop
      • Virtual Teens Emotional Wellness Group
      • Story Groups Workshops
    • Teen Counseling
      • Tulsa Anxiety Counseling for Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Bullied Teens
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed Teens
    • Individual Counseling
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Anxiety and Worry
      • Tulsa Counseling for Adult Depression
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Illness, Chronic Disease, and Injury
      • Tulsa Counseling for Chronic Pain
      • Tulsa Counseling for Depressed, Anxious, or Stressed Women
      • Tulsa Counseling for Insomnia
      • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
      • Counseling for Trauma
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Therapy for Depression
      • Emergency and Crisis Management Referrals
    • EMDR Tulsa Counseling for Adults
    • Men’s Issues
    • Public Speaking
    • Therapist Continuing Education Trainings
    • Become an Affiliated Therapist
    • Wellspring Executive Coaching / Business Coaching with Dr. Leedy
  • Getting Started
    • FAQs
    • Client Forms
    • Scheduling and Billing Service
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
    • COVID-19: In-Office and Telehealth Counseling
  • Contact
  • Videos & Blog
  • Currently Hiring – Remote or Hybrid
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
(918) 505-4367

intake@legacycounselingservices.com

CORE VALUES: Excellence | Integrity | Authenticity | Personal Growth

4 Ways to Deal with Social Anxiety at Work

March 24, 2021 by Melissa Leedy Leave a Comment

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 15 million U.S. Americans, or 6.8% of the population, suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD, also sometimes referred to as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations. The sufferer believes they could become humiliated and embarrass themselves somehow in front of other people. They tend to focus on every little mistake they make (or could conceivably make) and assume that everyone else is judging them.

The most common social phobia is giving a public presentation. Did you know that the number 1 fear of people all around the world is public speaking and death is the second? That’s right, more people are scared to get up in front of others and speak than they are to kick the bucket!

Shyness VS SAD

People often confuse shyness with social anxiety disorder, but the two are very different. While a shy person may be a bit uneasy around others, they will generally not experience the same intense anxiety as someone with an actual social phobia. Shy people also don’t go to the extreme avoidance of social situations while those with SAD will often do anything to avoid being in a social gathering.

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Extreme and persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations where a person is exposed to scrutiny or unfamiliar people.
  • Panic attacks at the mere thought of the social situation.
  • The person recognizes the fear as excessive or irrational but still cannot control their feelings.
  • The social situation is avoided at all costs.
  • The irrational fears affect the person’s everyday life and interferes with career and personal relationship growth.

Dealing with Social Anxiety Disorder at Work

If your social anxiety is interfering with your career goals, here are 4 ways you can deal with it:

1. Meditate

Meditation has been scientifically proven to calm a person’s nerves. By being still and focusing on your breath for just 10 minutes each day, you can learn to settle yourself in the face of anxiety and stress.

2. Focus on Performance, Not Feelings

People suffering from SAD tend to focus solely on how they feel during a social setting, not the positive things that may happen. When you focus on how well you’ve done, you start to forget about your nerves.

As an example, during your next board meeting, don’t focus on whether or not you are blushing or sweating, you can’t control that anyway. Just focus on making good eye contact with everyone in the room. When all is said and done, you will feel fantastic that you made such an accomplishment.

3. Try and Be Realistic

It’s important to be realistic in the face of your anxiety. For instance, if you’ve given speeches in the past and have done well, then it is unrealistic to tell yourself that you are “going to bomb.” Instead tell yourself, “I have done well in the past, I am very prepared and I will do a good job.”

4. Work with a Therapist

If social anxiety has stopped you from getting promotions or helping your family financially, then it’s time to get some help from a professional therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. He or she can give you coping strategies that will help you move forward in life.

 

If you or someone you know is suffering with SAD and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help life feel more comfortable.

Filed Under: Anxiety

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2035 W. Houston Street, Suite A
Broken Arrow, OK 74012

(918) 505-4367
intake@legacycounselingservices.com

About Us

 
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Office Hours


By appointment only.

Request Appointment

Contact Information

2035 W. Houston Street, Suite A
Broken Arrow, OK 74012

  • Email
  • Phone

Privacy Policy

A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision

Business Hours and Insurance Benefits

Insurance changes have been in effect since Nov 1, 2022. Please double-check with your insurance to ENSURE THAT YOUR PROVIDER IS STILL IN-NETWORK for your specific policy FOR IN-OFFICE AND TELEHEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH VISITS. Ask if your provider is approved for telehealth, as some insurance companies require the use of a specific company, such as MD Live, which we are NOT paneled with. Write the time/day you called, the name of the person you spoke with, and the reference number.

Our administrative office hours are Mon -Tues. 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-Noon.  You may also reach out to us through the contact form (https://forms.gle/v9eSAFeETk7K4Kbw8).

Due to high volume, CALLS AND WEBSITE INQUIRIES WILL BE RETURNED WITHIN 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS.  Thanks for your patience.

Thank you, and we look forward to connecting with you!