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Social Anxiety Symptoms

Almost everyone feels at least a bit of anxiety before speaking in front of a crowd or has some degree of nerves in unfamiliar social settings. The socially anxious person, however, has a debilitating level of anxiety, which interferes with their everyday functioning and causes them to modify their daily routine so as to avoid the stress of even small social interactions.
Dr. Russ Morfitt
April 11, 2014

Measuring Social Anxiety: Social Anxiety Tests, Scales & Inventories

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is a short questionnaire used to measure how social anxiety plays a role in different life situations. This social anxiety test was developed in 1987 by Dr. Michael R. Liebowitz, a psychiatrist and researcher at Columbia University. Studies have shown the LSAS to be a cost-effective and efficient way to identify those with social anxiety.
Dr. Russ Morfitt
March 30, 2014
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Dating and Social Anxiety

Valentine's Day is our annual reminder of the deep conflict between social anxiety and this very public date night. The pressure to express our feelings for that someone special out in public and the angst associated with that expression can lead to a great deal of stress for some with social anxiety on Valentine's Day.
Dr. Russ Morfitt
February 12, 2014

Celebrities with Social Anxiety

Did you know that there are many celebrities who have suffered or still suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder? It seems counter-intuitive to be living such a public life and to feel anxiety in public, but it's true. Some of them have coped by avoiding the spotlight whenever possible while others have used therapy to help them overcome their fears.
Dr. Russ Morfitt
January 27, 2014
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Stress & Anxiety

On Parenting a Child with Anxiety

I sometimes get questions from people asking about identifying and treating anxiety in children, in particular social anxiety in children. "What do I do as a parent or teacher? How do I recognize social anxiety disorder in my child?" The short answer is a) be patient and supportive, b) listen to your child, a lot, and c) notice what they do, what their body says…and what they avoid.
Dr. Russ Morfitt
January 9, 2014