6 Ways to reduce stress in the workplace
July 30 2018
Read moreIn this guide, we’ll explain what social anxiety disorder is, various types of social anxiety and how to deal with it in the workplace and in life.
Get a free consultationSocial anxiety isn’t easy to deal with. We’re all familiar with that sense of nervousness and unease that we feel when we’re uncertain. Many people can get nervous when faced with meeting or talking at work.
It’s an overwhelming fear of social situations—social anxiety disorder symptoms include:
It’s more than just being shy, or not wanting to talk to others. It’s a debilitating, often irrational fear, and causes mental health to suffer.
Social anxiety disorder, also known as ‘social phobia,’ is estimated to affect 12% of people, and often occurs alongside other issues such as depression, panic disorder and PTSD.
As an employer, it’s important to recognise that many employees are suffering from the effects of this condition right now.
Yes, social anxiety is deemed a mental disorder.
However, simply being a bit shy, or not enjoying the company of others for long isn’t itself a mental illness—you may just be introverted.
But if the above symptoms seem familiar, then you may be suffering from social anxiety disorder. And that is absolutely a mental illness, which can be diagnosed by your doctor.
The Equality Act 2010 states that:
“A person (P) has a disability if—
(a) P has a physical or mental impairment, and
(b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”
Social anxiety disorder can certainly cause adverse effects. In more serious cases, it can mean being unable to leave the house at all—and even milder cases can greatly affect someone’s ability to live and work comfortably.
It’s easy to see how social anxiety disorder and work can clash.
Yes, there are three rough categories of signs of social anxiety:
Within these types of social anxiety disorders, people feel the effects in different ways—some might just occasionally feel embarrassed to walk into a new place alone, whereas others are literally paralysed with fear.
As with many mood disorders, there’re different levels to it. But still, all levels of the disorder are important.
Yes, this is very likely to occur when it’s left unchecked.
Through severe isolation and stress, a social anxiety disorder can cause depression, certainly. Research shows a very strong relationship between social anxiety and developing depression later in life—but not in everyone.
If you suspect an employee is suffering from social anxiety, there are some sensitive ways to address this.
Remember, everyone is different, and the spectrum of social anxiety disorder causes is vast, including:
Bearing this in mind, it’s a good idea to take a wide approach when considering how to help someone with social anxiety, rather than trying to drill down to their specific triggers.
Make the workplace as inviting as possible—cluttered space and loud people can be triggering to someone with social anxiety.
That’s not to say everyone should work in silence, but politeness, appropriate volume and tidy desks make a more welcoming space for everybody.
Watch for and identify behaviours—does an employee consistently wriggle out of presenting reports to others, picking up the phone or heading to other offices to talk to people? It’s likely they’re anxious.
Sometimes, this is interpreted as laziness or unwillingness to work—and can cause catastrophic chain reactions of worry in those that suffer from anxiousness. Take care to watch for these signs, and when you spot them.
Respond appropriately—don’t barrel in by asking sharp questions and demanding answers. Have a quiet conversation in a private place and ask calm questions.
Try to find out what causes the anxiety, and then you can work together to overcome it. It could help to suggest different social anxiety disorder coping skills that employees can fall back on in times of need.
Provide managed solutions—work with the person to make the work environment easier for them to navigate. Find a quieter desk, let them wear headphones, be open to different working hours.
Our counsellors can offer a listening ear to employees in times of need.
We can also provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT for anxiety disorder to employees who might require additional anxiety counselling support to overcome their issues).
Talk to our wellbeing experts any time 24/7, 365 to find out how to better work with those suffering mood disorders. Call us now on 0844 891 0352
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