Social Anxiety Disorder Coping The 11 Best Self-Help Books for Social Anxiety of 2022, According to an Expert Our experts agreed, "Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness" guides your journey By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC LinkedIn Mary K. Tatum is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist and has worked in the field of psychology for over 15 years, with seven years in the private practice setting. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 07, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. 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Reviewed & Approved "Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness" is a workbook style option that is based on thorough research and offers a range of techniques. We also like "Dying of Embarrassment" for those who want to address a fear of public speaking. According to recent research by Mental Health America, 15 million Americans, or roughly 7% of the population, meets the diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder or social phobia. While some have struggled with social anxiety for years, the recent requirements of the quarantine, lockdowns, social distancing measures, school closures, and even the overuse of technology, have increased the feelings of social anxiety in many people who may not have experienced it before. Good social skills take practice even for people who may be naturally extroverted. The good news is there are plenty of resources available to help you navigate our social world. An ideal self-help book is tailored to your specific situation and fits into your schedule. Also consider the style of the book, from workbook style with writing prompts to more narrative approaches. Here are the best self-help books for social anxiety on the market, according to a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Our Top Picks Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness: Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness at Amazon Jump to Review Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety and Shyness at Amazon Jump to Review Dying of Embarrassment: Dying of Embarrassment at Amazon Jump to Review Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety: Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety at Amazon Jump to Review Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens at Amazon Jump to Review Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety: Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety at Amazon Jump to Review How to be Yourself: How to Be Yourself at Amazon Jump to Review The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook at Amazon Jump to Review Managing Social Anxiety, Workbook: Managing Social Anxiety, Workbook at Amazon Jump to Review The Highly Sensitive Person: The Highly Sensitive Person at Amazon Jump to Review Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Very thorough research Multiple techniques to draw from Meant to be self-help Cons Long length at 335 pages Requires significant time commitment Worksheets may feel like school to some By using research-backed Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (CBT) this book teaches readers how to change their thoughts, and therefore their feelings, even when they cannot change their situations. The book is meant to be a self-help journey as it provides guidance, self-diagnostic questionnaires and techniques, case studies, and worksheets to cater to many different kinds of learning styles. Keep in mind that this pick demands more of a time commitment than some of the books on our list. However, if you have the time available, you may reap more benefits. Price at time of publication: $30 The 10 Best Books For Anxiety of 2023, According to an Expert Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety and Shyness Courtesy of Barnes & Noble View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Addresses specific topic Allows for individual processing Science-based techniques Cons Addresses shyness only Some may not like workbook style Some may benefit from further processing Shyness can come naturally for some personalities. While there’s nothing wrong with an introverted or shy nature, it can bring its own set of challenges. Shy people may struggle with connecting to other people and speaking up for themselves. This workbook helps you by allowing you to process specific situations through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques and offering guidance to overcome the impediments that shyness may bring in social situations. This book is highly effective for people who struggle with shyness, but not in ways severe enough to need therapy. Price at time of publication: $23 Dying of Embarrassment Dying of Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety and Phobia Amazon View On Amazon View On Bookshop.org Pros Effective techniques Targeted audience Addresses public speaking Cons Best used in conjunction with therapy Topic-specific No worksheets or writing space “Dying of Embarrassment” not only addresses the anxiety experienced in social situations, but also the fear of public speaking and fear of looking foolish or making mistakes in front of others. This book focuses on readers who have been diagnosed with a social disorder or phobia to help them gain confidence in social settings. Price at time of publication: $23 The 10 Best Mental Health Books to Read This Year Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide to Gaining Social Confidence Amazon View On Amazon View On Bookshop.org Pros Expert author Effective techniques Addresses physical symptoms Cons Long length at 336 pages No worksheets or writing space No individualized approach Author therapist Erika Hilliard uses a more empathetic approach to calming the symptoms of social anxiety. This book stands out for its focus not only on the thought narrative, but also on calming the physical symptoms of social anxiety, including racing heart, poor eye contact, blushing, and even shy bladder syndrome. Price at time of publication: $19 The 7 Best Self-Help Books to Change Your Life Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: 10-Minute Methods to Reduce Stress and Gain Confidence Amazon View On Amazon View On Bookshop.org Pros Effective technique Targets teenagers specifically Not overwhelming: 10 minutes daily Cons Needs to be maintained to be effective Only recommended for ages 12 to 17 Some teens struggle with writing Author and licensed social worker Sally Stevens focuses on teenagers who struggle with social anxiety. Teenagers struggle socially in different ways compared to children and adults. Therefore, a workbook that targets these struggles specifically is more helpful than a general anxiety workbook. This workbook offers a customized plan to address issues at home, school, and social settings with techniques meant to be practiced in less than 10 minutes a day. Price at time of publication: $16 The Best Stress Management Books, Recommended by a Counselor Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety: Practical Techniques to Face Your Fears, Overcome Self-Doubt, and Thrive Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Multiple effective techniques Individualized planning Everyday anecdotes Cons Best in conjunction with therapy Some may not like workbook style Some exercises may need processing This workbook stands out from others because it uses several different therapy techniques to decrease symptoms of social anxiety, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness. Everyday anecdotes and examples are used to help readers connect with and apply the techniques. Price at time of publication: $13 How to be Yourself How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Easy and humorous writing style Effective techniques Focuses on thought narrative Cons Long length at 320 pages No individualized approach Must be self-motivated to practice skills Everyone with social anxiety has heard the good-hearted but unhelpful advice of “just be yourself” at least once in their life. This book shows you how to actually do that and feel confident about it. The techniques focus on silencing the inner critic that lives inside your thoughts and on how to allow your authentic personality to shine through. Price at time of publication: $18 The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook Barnes & Noble View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Expert authors In-depth research and techniques Highly-individualized program Cons Requires significant time investment Reader may benefit from further processing Requires longer-term dedication Two Ph.D. psychologists created this in-depth and thorough workbook to address social anxiety and those with naturally shy personalities. This workbook is longer and more in-depth than most, making it a good option for those with dedicated time, or to use in addition to therapy. While the workbook offers sound techniques to make panic-inducing tasks like public speaking more manageable, the core goal of the workbook is to remove the barriers of anxiety in order to form greater bonds and connections with others. Price at time of publication: $25 The 10 Best Gratitude Journals of 2022 Managing Social Anxiety, Workbook Managing Social Anxiety, Workbook: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach Barnes & Noble View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Research-focused Individualized Updated to reflect new research Cons Best used with therapy Requires more time and dedication Updated to educate readers on the nature of social anxiety and the science behind why CBT therapy is effective in managing symptoms of anxiety, this workbook offers an educational-style guide. The workbook works best when used in conjunction with therapy to pair education with emotional processing. Price at time of publication: $47 The Highly Sensitive Person The Highly Sensitive Person: Building Social Relationships And Emotional Intelligence As A HSP Amazon View On Amazon Pros Easy to read writing style Target audience specific Effective techniques for this personality Cons Not for all social anxiety types No individualized approach Must be dedicated to practicing Being a highly sensitive person (HSP) is not a clinical diagnosis, but this personality type can struggle with regulating emotions as daily stressors can bring more intense feelings. This is not a workbook style guide but rather focuses on helping the HSP understand their personality and how to increase their emotional intelligence. People with intense emotions are often naturally intelligent, but struggle to benefit from their intelligence due to not always being able to regulate their intense emotions. Price at time of publication: $25 How to Improve your Social Skills How to Improve Your Social Skills: Practical Exercises and Techniques for the Socially Challenged Amazon View On Amazon View On Bookshop.org Pros Easy-to-read format Short and concise Expert author and guide Cons Too short for some readers Some may need more in-depth work No individualized approach Written by a Ph.D. Psychologist, this book is a short and concise guide to increasing social skills and decreasing anxiety. This is a good option for people who are short on time and do not have a lot of space in their schedule to dedicate to a workbook or more in-depth programs. Based on CBT techniques, this book offers readers easy-to-apply skills to everyday situations. Price at time of publication: $11 Final Verdict If you prefer a workbook style, “Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness” (view at Amazon) is an in-depth option that is made for those on a self-help journey rather than a therapy journey. The “Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens” (view at Amazon) is the best option for those ages 12 to 17, and “How to be Yourself” (view at Amazon) is a great choice for those who do not want workbook-style guidance. All options use science-backed techniques rather than opinion-based writing. What to Look for in a Book for Social Anxiety Style Some readers benefit from a workbook-style guide with space to write and worksheets to document specific thoughts and experiences, while others prefer anecdotes and a story-structured guide without writing prompts. Teenagers need social anxiety guides created specifically for that age group. Time Commitment Committing to a book or guide that does not really fit into your current schedule may lead you to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or defeated. It’s important to pick something simple that you're able to practice within a reasonable time frame. If you have more space and time to dedicate to self-improvement, then a lengthy guidebook may be more beneficial. Subject-Specific To get the most out of your self-help journey, be sure to pick a guidebook that fits your learning style and targets your specific situation. If you have a clinical diagnosis of anxiety, it is best to pick a guidebook to use in addition to therapy services. If you have a personality trait that brings challenges in social situations, then a non-clinical guidebook may be the most helpful. Frequently Asked Questions What is social anxiety? Social anxiety disorder is defined as having an intense fear of social situations in which a person anticipates being seen in a negative way by others. People with social anxiety fear looking incompetent or weird and therefore judged, shunned, and ridiculed by peers. How do I know if I have social anxiety? Social anxiety is more than shyness, it is experiencing fear during social settings and interactions with others that is so intense it begins to make life unmanageable. People with social anxiety are so afraid that they begin avoiding interactions altogether, causing them to miss out on what should be positive life experiences. What causes social anxiety? There are many causes for social anxiety, such as brain structure. Some negative or traumatic experiences like abuse, bullying, and long-term stress can create a clinical level of social anxiety. What are some ways to deal with social anxiety? There are many effective strategies to decrease unwanted symptoms of social anxiety including regular self-care routines, talk therapy to heal from painful past experiences and change negative though narratives, and talking to supportive people about your struggles. Aspects of Exposure therapy also helps to teach people how to confront and overcome challenges. What Experts Say “When choosing a book to help with social anxiety, look for one that challenges readers to face their fears in small, gradual steps. I encourage clients to encounter social anxiety through saying hello, initiating a conversation, or initiating setting a time to spend with someone. This approach allows teens and adults alike to gain confidence while experiencing mastery with small wins and big victories,” Aliza Beaulieu, LMHC Why Trust Verywell Mind? As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience working with clients to improve mental and emotional health, Mary K Tatum understands the importance of finding quality resources and techniques that work for each person. Not everyone will have the same kind of healing journey, therefore, having lots of options to choose from is vitally important in creating a lifestyle that combats mental illness and promotes health and wellbeing. 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mental Health America. Social anxiety disorder. Leichsenring F, Leweke F. Social anxiety disorder. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(23):2255-2264. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1614701 Wang X, Cheng B, Luo Q, Qiu L, Wang S. Gray matter structural alterations in social anxiety disorder: A voxel-based meta-analysis. Front. Psychiatry. 2018;9:449. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00449 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit