Anxiety

Psychologist Consultation > Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. Individuals with this disorder often endure social interactions but are plagued by intense feelings of fear or anxiety. This condition is typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder if the social phobia persists for at least six months.

Social anxiety disorder is slightly more common among females and adolescents, with most experiencing the onset of symptoms between the ages of eight and 15 years.

A defining feature of social anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Individuals often worry that they will be perceived as anxious, weak, stupid, boring, unlikable, or negatively in other ways. This fear can lead to anticipatory anxiety, where the individual expects to be judged harshly, regardless of the reality of the situation.

For those with social anxiety disorder, social interactions almost invariably provoke fear or anxiety, which is often disproportionate to the actual risk of negative judgment. As a result, many individuals with social anxiety attempt to avoid social situations altogether, or endure them with significant distress.

Effective management and “anxiety therapy” for social anxiety disorder involve learning coping strategies to handle social interactions more comfortably and reducing the intense anxiety associated with them.

Some of the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:

  • Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
  • Shyness or being withdrawn in social situations
  • Blushing
  • Sweating
  • Being closed off in conversation or revealing very little about oneself
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Overly rigid body posture
  • Poor eye contact
  • Softly speaking
  • Stumbling over one’s words
  • Staring

In children, additional physical symptoms include:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Freezing in place
  • Clinging to a parent or guardian
  • Shrinking back
  • Refusal to speak in social situations
 
 

Approximately 7% of the U.S. population is estimated to have a social anxiety disorder, and its occurrence tends to decrease in older populations.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. Individuals with this disorder often endure social interactions but are plagued by intense feelings of fear or anxiety. This condition is typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder if the social phobia persists for at least six months.

Social anxiety disorder is slightly more common among females and adolescents, with most experiencing the onset of symptoms between the ages of eight and 15 years.

A defining feature of social anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Individuals often worry that they will be perceived as anxious, weak, stupid, boring, unlikable, or negatively in other ways. This fear can lead to anticipatory anxiety, where the individual expects to be judged harshly, regardless of the reality of the situation.

For those with social anxiety disorder, social interactions almost invariably provoke fear or anxiety, which is often disproportionate to the actual risk of negative judgment. As a result, many individuals with social anxiety attempt to avoid social situations altogether, or endure them with significant distress.

Effective management and “anxiety therapy” for social anxiety disorder involve learning coping strategies to handle social interactions more comfortably and reducing the intense anxiety associated with them.

Some of the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:

  • Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
  • Shyness or being withdrawn in social situations
  • Blushing
  • Sweating
  • Being closed off in conversation or revealing very little about oneself
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Overly rigid body posture
  • Poor eye contact
  • Softly speaking
  • Stumbling over one’s words
  • Staring

In children, additional physical symptoms include:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Freezing in place
  • Clinging to a parent or guardian
  • Shrinking back
  • Refusal to speak in social situations
 
 

Read "I Feel Anxious. How Can I Sleep? " Blog

All programs

Stages of Consultation with Patients on Psychologist Consultation

01

Initial Consultation

Week 1: Establish rapport, assess symptoms, and set goals for our therapy sessions.

02

Personalized Plan

Week 2: Introduce tailored strategies and exercises to begin addressing your specific challenges.

03

Active Therapy

Week 3: Deepen our work with focused techniques, adjusting as needed based on your progress.

04

Progress Evaluation

Assess changes, reinforce gains, and plan for sustained well-being post-therapy.

Contact info

Phone

Phone

+90 506 164 06 05 

Email

Email

[email protected]

Address

Address

Beyoglu, Cihangir

Istanbul/Turkey

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder represents a unique form of anxiety, characterized by sudden, intense rushes of fear that can feel overwhelming and uncontrollable. These episodes, often described as panic attacks, can strike “out of the blue,” making individuals feel as though they are losing control, suffering a heart attack, or even facing imminent death. Although panic disorder typically emerges between the ages of 18 and 35, it can manifest at any age, with women being nearly twice as likely as men to develop this condition.

Differing from general anxiety, which usually has identifiable triggers, panic disorder is marked by its sudden onset. The fear experienced during a panic attack is profound and can lead to impulsive, unpredictable reactions.

A key aspect that distinguishes panic disorder from other anxiety disorders is the intense fear of the fear itself. Individuals with panic disorder are often not just scared of external threats but are profoundly disturbed by the sensations of fear they experience during an attack.

This intense and uncontrollable fear can significantly disrupt daily life, making it essential to seek effective “anxiety therapy” to manage and mitigate the symptoms of panic disorders.

Some physical symptoms of panic disorder include:

  • Rapid heartbeat or a pounding heart
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness, unsteadiness, or lightheadedness
  • Stomach distress

Some of the mental symptoms of panic include:

  • Feeling detached from oneself or reality
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of dying
  • Feelings of impending doom

A person with panic disorder may feel terror even if there is no real danger. Many individuals with panic disorder have explained that their panic feels like they are losing control.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. Individuals with this disorder often endure social interactions but are plagued by intense feelings of fear or anxiety. This condition is typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder if the social phobia persists for at least six months.

Social anxiety disorder is slightly more common among females and adolescents, with most experiencing the onset of symptoms between the ages of eight and 15 years.

A defining feature of social anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Individuals often worry that they will be perceived as anxious, weak, stupid, boring, unlikable, or negatively in other ways. This fear can lead to anticipatory anxiety, where the individual expects to be judged harshly, regardless of the reality of the situation.

For those with social anxiety disorder, social interactions almost invariably provoke fear or anxiety, which is often disproportionate to the actual risk of negative judgment. As a result, many individuals with social anxiety attempt to avoid social situations altogether, or endure them with significant distress.

Effective management and “anxiety therapy” for social anxiety disorder involve learning coping strategies to handle social interactions more comfortably and reducing the intense anxiety associated with them.

Some of the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:

  • Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
  • Shyness or being withdrawn in social situations
  • Blushing
  • Sweating
  • Being closed off in conversation or revealing very little about oneself
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Overly rigid body posture
  • Poor eye contact
  • Softly speaking
  • Stumbling over one’s words
  • Staring

In children, additional physical symptoms include:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Freezing in place
  • Clinging to a parent or guardian
  • Shrinking back
  • Refusal to speak in social situations
 
 

Approximately 7% of the U.S. population is estimated to have a social anxiety disorder, and its occurrence tends to decrease in older populations.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. Individuals with this disorder often endure social interactions but are plagued by intense feelings of fear or anxiety. This condition is typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder if the social phobia persists for at least six months.

Social anxiety disorder is slightly more common among females and adolescents, with most experiencing the onset of symptoms between the ages of eight and 15 years.

A defining feature of social anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Individuals often worry that they will be perceived as anxious, weak, stupid, boring, unlikable, or negatively in other ways. This fear can lead to anticipatory anxiety, where the individual expects to be judged harshly, regardless of the reality of the situation.

For those with social anxiety disorder, social interactions almost invariably provoke fear or anxiety, which is often disproportionate to the actual risk of negative judgment. As a result, many individuals with social anxiety attempt to avoid social situations altogether, or endure them with significant distress.

Effective management and “anxiety therapy” for social anxiety disorder involve learning coping strategies to handle social interactions more comfortably and reducing the intense anxiety associated with them.

Some of the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:

  • Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
  • Shyness or being withdrawn in social situations
  • Blushing
  • Sweating
  • Being closed off in conversation or revealing very little about oneself
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Overly rigid body posture
  • Poor eye contact
  • Softly speaking
  • Stumbling over one’s words
  • Staring

In children, additional physical symptoms include:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Freezing in place
  • Clinging to a parent or guardian
  • Shrinking back
  • Refusal to speak in social situations
 
 

Read "I Feel Anxious. How Can I Sleep? " Blog

All programs

Stages of Consultation with Patients on Psychologist Consultation

01

Initial Consultation

Week 1: Establish rapport, assess symptoms, and set goals for our therapy sessions.

02

Personalized Plan

Week 2: Introduce tailored strategies and exercises to begin addressing your specific challenges.

03

Active Therapy

Week 3: Deepen our work with focused techniques, adjusting as needed based on your progress.

04

Progress Evaluation

Assess changes, reinforce gains, and plan for sustained well-being post-therapy.

Contact info

Phone

Phone

+90 506 164 06 05 

Email

Email

[email protected]

Address

Address

Beyoglu, Cihangir

Istanbul/Turkey

A program that will help you if…

  • You feel constant, excessive worry that disrupts your day-to-day life,
  • Your heart races and you experience physical symptoms of stress without a clear cause,
  • Unexpected bouts of intense panic grip you, making you feel out of control,
  • You find yourself avoiding social situations for fear of feeling anxious or being judged,
  • Restlessness and tension have become your norms, and relaxation feels like a distant memory.

Our Anxiety Therapy Package has been designed in a way to help human beings like you take control of those worries and fears that have been cutting into your life and keeping you from sleeping well at night. This comprehensive program delves into every facet of anxiety with custom strategies and evidence-based care. This package helps in addressing some issues in the following ways:

  • Relearn how to enjoy your daily routines without the pestering, non-stop anxiety overshadowing every moment with interventions designed for reducing worry and increasing your overall calmness.
  • Manage Physical Symptoms of Anxiety: Physical symptoms of anxiety can be disturbing to daily life and can even lead to discomfort. Assistance will be offered in managing such symptoms, e.g., palpitations, shaking.
  • Overcome Intense Panic and Fear: The course is designed to help you learn the best strategies for controlling and reducing panic attacks that will enable you to regain control when an unexpected episode of strong anxiety overtakes you.
  • Reduce Social Avoidance: disjunction refers to the disconnect from society. Disjsonify: Find ways to reduce disjunction fears of negative evaluation and social engagement and increase comfort, confidence, and adaptability to the social situations around you in order to make for.
  • Alleviate Restlessness and Improve Relaxation: Learn how to address the habitual feelings of restlessness and tension through learning relaxation techniques that help in restoring mental peace and physical relaxation.

Begin your journey on the path to a more serene life with our Anxiety Therapy Package. Let our support help you navigate through your anxiety, and allow us to guide you toward a future that is calmer and more in control.

About the author of the service

Onur Bal

Onur Bal

Psychologist

Psychologist Onur Bal is an expert in cognitive-behavioral and dynamic therapies, with a background rich in adult psychology and experience as a military psychologist. He provides counseling in Turkish and English and contributes to the broader discourse on mental health through his writings and training sessions.

More info

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$299

4 session / month

Each 40-minute session includes comprehensive after-session summaries and action plans, along with access to premium resources such as worksheets and guided exercises to enhance your therapy experience.

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Anxiety disorders are 

widespread, treatable, and manageable: Acquire the skills necessary to manage anxiety and lead a healthy, happy life.

When we hear the term “anxiety,” it often evokes images of overwhelming stress. In reality, anxiety is our body’s instinctive reaction to perceived threats to our well-being. Without this mechanism, we wouldn’t respond to danger, potentially jeopardizing our survival.

However, anxiety encompasses more than just deciding whether to flee from a threat. Our survival-driven minds frequently misinterpret non-threatening situations as dangers, causing unnecessary levels of anxiety.

In truth, everyone experiences anxiety at some point. For many, this anxiety can be crushing. It is estimated that about 19% of adults in the United States grapple with anxiety on a daily basis.

Suffering from anxiety or being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder is not an indication of weakness. With the right care, individuals can overpower their anxiety and enjoy successful, fulfilling lives.

Understanding Anxiety: What It Is and How to Handle It

Anxiety is our body’s natural response to stress. When faced with potential danger, our bodies are programmed to react to this stress.Fear and anxiety share a close relationship. Fear is our body’s immediate response to a real or perceived imminent threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, involves our body—and mind—anticipating future threats.

Take, for instance, starting a new job, waiting for medical test results, or driving in poor weather conditions; these situations can all induce anxiety. Such feelings are a common emotional response and occur universally. However, when anxiety transcends temporary fear or worry, it might indicate the need for professional assistance.

Identifying and Understanding Various Anxiety Disorders and Their Symptoms

While the term “I’m anxious” is frequently used, accurately identifying the specific type of anxiety someone is experiencing can be challenging. There are several forms of anxiety that can significantly affect daily activities such as work, school, and relationships.

This description does not encompass all disorders and symptoms. If you suspect that you or someone close to you is suffering from any of the symptoms described, it is crucial to contact healthcare professionals to ensure proper support for your mental health.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is exceedingly prevalent, affecting nearly one in eight individuals in the U.S. GAD is characterized by persistent worry and anxiety about routine activities or events, occurring more days than not for at least six months.

Individuals with GAD often feel they cannot control their worries, frequently concerning themselves excessively with finances, health, family, work, or other everyday matters. Merely thinking about daily tasks can provoke anxiety.

Many with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are aware of their excessive worry cycle or realize their anxiety is disproportionate to their situations. However, the difficulty lies in their inability to break this cycle or feeling that it’s beyond their control.

It’s common for people diagnosed with GAD to also suffer from co-occurring conditions such as depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Generalized Anxiety Disorder manifests both physically and mentally, with individuals typically experiencing a combination of symptoms:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Restlessness, feeling on edge
  • Frequent fatigue
  • Muscle tension, aches, or soreness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, or dizziness
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea and diarrhea
  • Trembling, twitching, or feeling shaky
  • Sleep disturbances, such as trouble falling or staying asleep, or feeling unrested

Mental Symptoms:

  • Persistent anxiety or worry about various events or activities, for most days over at least six months
  • Difficulty in controlling the worry
  • Feelings of imminent danger, panic, or doom
  • Irritability
  • Concentration issues, or mind going blank
  • Memory problems

Many people who are diagnosed with GAD also have co-occurring conditions, including depression, substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder represents a unique form of anxiety, characterized by sudden, intense rushes of fear that can feel overwhelming and uncontrollable. These episodes, often described as panic attacks, can strike “out of the blue,” making individuals feel as though they are losing control, suffering a heart attack, or even facing imminent death. Although panic disorder typically emerges between the ages of 18 and 35, it can manifest at any age, with women being nearly twice as likely as men to develop this condition.

Differing from general anxiety, which usually has identifiable triggers, panic disorder is marked by its sudden onset. The fear experienced during a panic attack is profound and can lead to impulsive, unpredictable reactions.

A key aspect that distinguishes panic disorder from other anxiety disorders is the intense fear of the fear itself. Individuals with panic disorder are often not just scared of external threats but are profoundly disturbed by the sensations of fear they experience during an attack.

This intense and uncontrollable fear can significantly disrupt daily life, making it essential to seek effective “anxiety therapy” to manage and mitigate the symptoms of panic disorders.

Some physical symptoms of panic disorder include:

  • Rapid heartbeat or a pounding heart
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness, unsteadiness, or lightheadedness
  • Stomach distress

Some of the mental symptoms of panic include:

  • Feeling detached from oneself or reality
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of dying
  • Feelings of impending doom

A person with panic disorder may feel terror even if there is no real danger. Many individuals with panic disorder have explained that their panic feels like they are losing control.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. Individuals with this disorder often endure social interactions but are plagued by intense feelings of fear or anxiety. This condition is typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder if the social phobia persists for at least six months.

Social anxiety disorder is slightly more common among females and adolescents, with most experiencing the onset of symptoms between the ages of eight and 15 years.

A defining feature of social anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Individuals often worry that they will be perceived as anxious, weak, stupid, boring, unlikable, or negatively in other ways. This fear can lead to anticipatory anxiety, where the individual expects to be judged harshly, regardless of the reality of the situation.

For those with social anxiety disorder, social interactions almost invariably provoke fear or anxiety, which is often disproportionate to the actual risk of negative judgment. As a result, many individuals with social anxiety attempt to avoid social situations altogether, or endure them with significant distress.

Effective management and “anxiety therapy” for social anxiety disorder involve learning coping strategies to handle social interactions more comfortably and reducing the intense anxiety associated with them.

Some of the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:

  • Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
  • Shyness or being withdrawn in social situations
  • Blushing
  • Sweating
  • Being closed off in conversation or revealing very little about oneself
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Overly rigid body posture
  • Poor eye contact
  • Softly speaking
  • Stumbling over one’s words
  • Staring

In children, additional physical symptoms include:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Freezing in place
  • Clinging to a parent or guardian
  • Shrinking back
  • Refusal to speak in social situations
 
 

Approximately 7% of the U.S. population is estimated to have a social anxiety disorder, and its occurrence tends to decrease in older populations.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or embarrassed in social settings. Individuals with this disorder often endure social interactions but are plagued by intense feelings of fear or anxiety. This condition is typically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder if the social phobia persists for at least six months.

Social anxiety disorder is slightly more common among females and adolescents, with most experiencing the onset of symptoms between the ages of eight and 15 years.

A defining feature of social anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Individuals often worry that they will be perceived as anxious, weak, stupid, boring, unlikable, or negatively in other ways. This fear can lead to anticipatory anxiety, where the individual expects to be judged harshly, regardless of the reality of the situation.

For those with social anxiety disorder, social interactions almost invariably provoke fear or anxiety, which is often disproportionate to the actual risk of negative judgment. As a result, many individuals with social anxiety attempt to avoid social situations altogether, or endure them with significant distress.

Effective management and “anxiety therapy” for social anxiety disorder involve learning coping strategies to handle social interactions more comfortably and reducing the intense anxiety associated with them.

Some of the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder include:

  • Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
  • Shyness or being withdrawn in social situations
  • Blushing
  • Sweating
  • Being closed off in conversation or revealing very little about oneself
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Overly rigid body posture
  • Poor eye contact
  • Softly speaking
  • Stumbling over one’s words
  • Staring

In children, additional physical symptoms include:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Freezing in place
  • Clinging to a parent or guardian
  • Shrinking back
  • Refusal to speak in social situations
 
 

Read "I Feel Anxious. How Can I Sleep? " Blog

All programs

Stages of Consultation with Patients on Psychologist Consultation

01

Initial Consultation

Week 1: Establish rapport, assess symptoms, and set goals for our therapy sessions.

02

Personalized Plan

Week 2: Introduce tailored strategies and exercises to begin addressing your specific challenges.

03

Active Therapy

Week 3: Deepen our work with focused techniques, adjusting as needed based on your progress.

04

Progress Evaluation

Assess changes, reinforce gains, and plan for sustained well-being post-therapy.

Contact info

Phone

Phone

+90 506 164 06 05 

Email

Email

[email protected]

Address

Address

Beyoglu, Cihangir

Istanbul/Turkey

I offer therapy and package services in the following areas:

  • - Depression
  • - Anxiety Disorders
  • - Eating Disorders
  • - Relationship Problems
  • - Sleep Issues
  • - Career Counseling

Feel free to contact me for more information and to book a session.