Social Anxiety Disorder and Affirmations

By Veronica Morano

A person with social anxiety disorder feels symptoms of anxiety or fear in situations where they may be scrutinized, evaluated, or judged by others. Examples of this could be speaking in public, meeting new people, a job interview, answering a question in class, or having to talk to a cashier in a store. The fear that people with social anxiety disorder may have in social situations is so intense that they feel it is beyond their control. For some, this gets in the way of everyday tasks like attending work or school and can lead to avoiding places or events that cause distress. (NIMH) Social anxiety disorder is generally treated with talk therapy, medication, or both. Speak with a provider about the best treatment for you.


Affirmations for Social Anxiety:
· I am welcome here.
· I choose peace over worry.
· It is okay to feel anxious in social situations. I am not alone in feeling this way.
· I can choose to be kind to myself and not judge myself for feeling anxious.
· It is normal to make mistakes and have awkward moments. I don’t have to be perfect.
· I am worthy of love and acceptance, even if I struggle in social situations.
· My confidence in myself is growing with each passing day.
· I trust in myself and my ability to navigate social situations with ease and grace.
· I am not defined by my social anxiety.
· I let go of the fear of judgement.


Reference: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-b). Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness

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