The YCBT Services Blog

Paruresis, also known as shy bladder syndrome, describes a form of social anxiety in which a person experiences distress and/or difficulty urinating in the presence of others. Specifically, a worry regarding being judged by others or “exposed” as having difficulty or not being able to pee “normally” is often at the core of great apprehension and avoidance of trying to urinate in public.

If you have ever struggled with apprehension and anxiety in social situations, then the below thoughts will likely sound familiar:

• “Did I say or do something offensive?”
• “Other people must think I’m weird.”
• “What if I burden others and they are annoyed?”

While automatic thoughts such as these that arise in social situations and lead to significant discomfort are typically seen as one component of Social Anxiety Disorder, these very same thoughts might actually be a manifestation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Going through a panic attack can be one of the most distressing and disruptive experiences to one's sense of safety and stability in life. Learn here how to beat panic attacks and reclaim your life! Panic attacks typically appear suddenly and escalate quickly to the point of intense fear or discomfort.

Sometimes they occur in response to recurrent triggers such as being in a claustrophobic situation, public speaking, on an airplane, etc., though sometimes they seem to ignite out of the blue.

Anxiety is one of the most common difficulties that can rapidly increase during the teen years. Social anxiety disorder, which is characterized by a persistent fear of social situations in which your teen is worried about being judged, scrutinized, or embarrassed in front of others occurs in approximately 9% of adolescents. It is often a challenge that can go years before being identified and treated effectively with evidence-based care such as with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

It can often be difficult to decipher if social anxiety is an underlying concern, and when to do something about it. If you already identified social anxiety and initiated effective therapy for your teen, then you have taken a huge step to help improve their self-esteem and relationships. Supporting your teen while they are actively in treatment can be a challenge…the points below can serve as a helpful guide.

To see one in all and all in one is to break through the great barrier which narrows one's perception of reality. - Thich Naht Hanh.

While the idea of introducing yourself to someone new is a very common challenge for those who struggle with social anxiety, for many the greater and often overlooked pain comes from difficulty deepening relationships to a more meaningful level. Many clients I have had the honor of working with have reported making some progress with initiating contact with others or social activities, though get stuck with how to maintain and broaden these connections over time. Perhaps you're not sure what the "right" step is to take at a certain point in time, or you find yourself having worrisome thoughts that your gesture won't be welcomed, or it will be received as a burden. Here I will describe some of the most common stuck points I have observed in individuals with social anxiety struggling to deepen relationships, with some helpful directions on how to break through them and keep those connections building.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions are often geared towards targeting the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are perpetuating this overly active avoidance system. CBT skills are focused on developing more helpful and balanced perspectives of oneself and social interactions, while learning and practicing approaching one's feared and avoided social situations over time.

One of the most insidious and painful aspects of social anxiety many of my clients describe is the feeling of being alone, disconnected, and different from others. These feelings, and the perceptions and beliefs associated with them, can both contribute to and be the result of high levels of distress and suffering in social situations.