Understanding and Overcoming Social Anxiety: Attachment, Exposure, and Confidence

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

In this episode, Dr. Rick and Forrest explore the all-too-common challenge of social anxiety. They break down what it really means to be socially anxious (hint: it's not just being shy), where those feelings come from, and why they stick around. Rick explains the roots of social anxiety, highlighting the role of attachment styles and individual temperament, before Forrest shares how to locate yourself on a spectrum from everyday nervousness to Social Anxiety Disorder. They then discuss evidence-based approaches to working with social anxiety like exposure therapy, cognitive defusion, and mindfulness techniques. Whether you experience feelings of anxiety or are trying to understand a friend who does, this episode will help you feel more confident and connected.

You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:00: Introduction

1:45: What is social anxiety?

7:10: Where does social anxiety come from?

13:40: Feeling worthy, and other social factors

17:00: Nature vs. nurture

24:15: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and comorbid diagnoses

29:50: Exposure therapy, and how to practice it safely

42:00: Positive reinforcement, and responding to ruminative thoughts

55:45: Widening our view, and taking in the good

1:03:15: Talking with younger parts, and self-compassion

1:10:15: Normalizing anxiety

1:11:35: Recap

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