Two people talking freely and one person who looks anxious

Coping With Social Anxiety Disorder

Living with social anxiety disorder may affect your quality of life at times. Learning the tools for coping with it may be the first step towards wellness.
Woman running next to the water.
8 Ways to Stay in Control of Your Social Anxiety
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Gym
How to Cope With Social Anxiety at the Gym
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
How to Cope With Stigma About Social Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman with smart phone
How to Make Social Media Work for You With Social Anxiety Disorder
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Coloring books can be used to help develop mindfulness.
Color Me Anxiety-Free by Using Adult Coloring Books
Fact checked by Cara Lustik
Job interviews don't have to be terrible experiences.
Tips to Cope With Job Interview Anxiety
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Getty / Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury
How to Practice Autogenic Training for Relaxation
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Teen sitting on steps alone
How Parents Can Help Their Teens Cope With Social Anxiety
Reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP
Businesswoman asking question at presentation in office building
Tips for Overcoming a Fear of Being the Center of Attention
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Use mindfulness meditation to reduce social anxiety.
A Free Mindfulness Meditation Track for Social Anxiety Disorder
Reviewed by Megan Monahan
Thought Patterns to Avoid If You Have Social Anxiety Disorder
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Teachers should be sensitive to the needs of kids with SAD.
How Teachers Can Help Their Students With Social Anxiety Disorder
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Help your preschooler with social anxiety.
9 Best Tips to Cope With Preschool Social Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD
upset woman with arms crossed
How to Overcome Your Fear of Conflict for Good
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
A woman and man having a conversation
What Is Stuttering?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Use positive affirmations to reduce anxiety.
How Can I Talk to Myself in a Positive Way?
Fact checked by Andrea Rice
You can thrive as an older adult even with social anxiety.
Best Tips for Living With Social Anxiety as an Older Adult
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Teens my suffer silently with social anxiety.
How Teenager Can Cope With Social Anxiety Disorder
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Super foods may help you beat anxiety.
9 Tips to Improve Your Eating Habits When You Have SAD
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Rear view of woman looking out over urban cityscape against sky
How to Find Motivation to Overcome Social Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Teenage boy (15-17) in football uniform, sitting in locker room
Handling Performance Anxiety Symptoms While Playing Sports
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Person leaning against car looking at the landscape
8 Ways Social Anxiety Changes the Way You Think About Everything
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Speaker at business luncheon talking in front of crowd
Top Tips for Managing Public Speaking Anxiety
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Learn how to become a confident public speaker.
Top Tips to Improve Crucial Public Speaking Skills
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Teenager sitting on ground leaning against soccer goal post with head on his knees
How to Cope With Anxiety About a Sports Competition
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
People in a circle enjoying a group therapy session.
Where to Find Support Groups for Social Anxiety Disorder
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Teenage Girl in Empty School Hallway
A Day in the Life of a Teenager With Social Anxiety Disorder
Fact checked by Adah Chung
Bride worried at her wedding
Secrets to Managing Social Anxiety When Planning a Wedding
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
woman's hands holding chopsticks in bowl of food
What to Do If You Fear Eating in Public
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Living Fully with Shyness and Social Anxiety.
The 9 Best Books to Help With Social Anxiety Disorder of 2021
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Two women hugging
How to Help a Loved One With Social Anxiety Disorder
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Meet potential dating partners at the gym.
Interesting Places to Meet Your Future Spouse
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
man and woman talking and smiling
Just Do It! How to Ask Anyone Out on a Date
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Woman holding bunch of balloons
10 Ways to Feel Less Lonely on Your Birthday
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce social anxiety.
Chill Out: How to Use Progressive Muscle Relaxation to Quell Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Man reviewing notecards before a presentation
Preparing a Speech When You Have Public Speaking Anxiety
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Relaxation techniques can be helpful for anxiety disorders.
4 Relaxation Techniques for Social Anxiety You Need to Start Using
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD
Anxious woman sitting on the floor
Seek Help for the Worst Triggers in Social Anxiety
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman raising up her arms
The Best Ways to Use Positive Affirmations for Social Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
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How to Stop Stress Fast When You Have Social Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Talk with a stranger on an elevator to challenge yourself.
Use Exposure Hierarchy to Overcome a Fear of Social Situations
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD
Phone anxiety can be related to social anxiety disorder.
How to Overcome Your Fear of Making Phone Calls
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Student doing a debate in front of the class.
20 Public Speaking Tips to Help You Become a Better Speaker
Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD
Take care of yourself when looking after someone with SAD.
How to Cope When a Family Member Has SAD
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Students Taking Test
10 Tips for Managing Your Test Anxiety
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
You can overcome public speaking anxiety.
How to Practice Exposure Therapy for the Fear of Public Speaking
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
clouds over ocean and sandy beach
Simple Steps to Start Practicing Guided Imagery for Anxiety Relief
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Social anxiety anonymous uses a 12-step format.
Reasons You Should Join Social Anxiety Anonymous
By Arlin Cuncic
Use deep breathing to reduce anxious thoughts.
4 Tips for Practicing Diaphragmatic Breathing for Social Anxiety
Reviewed by Megan Monahan
Make first dates fun by doing an activity together.
19 First Date Ideas You Can Enjoy While Having Social Anxiety
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Survive your next office party despite social anxiety.
5 Tips to Survive Your Next Office Party
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Think of others to reduce your social anxiety.
12 Ways to Show Kindness When You Are Socially Anxious
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
People talking in a conference room.
How to Cope With Social Anxiety When You Have a Meeting at Work
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Check the yellow pages for mental health professionals who can help with SAD.
How to Get Help From a Mental Health Professional If You Have SAD
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Man listening attentively
Practicing Active Listening in Your Daily Conversations
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Do a cartwheel to try and embarrass yourself on purpose.
28 Ways to Embarrass Yourself and Challenge Your Social Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Violinists performing
When Musical Performance Anxiety Stops You in Your Tracks
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman connects with others through online social communities
6 Online Social Anxiety Communities Worth a Visit
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Assertiveness does not mean stepping on other's toes.
How to Use "I" Statements to Become More Assertive
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
An older woman dancing alone in the park
13 Embarrassing Things to Do in Public to Help Overcome Social Anxiety
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW