The Knowledge Tree

1640 Powers Ferry Road SE, Building 9, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30067
www.TheKnowledgeTree.org ~ (404) 913-2005

EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL SITUATIONS

(From Anthony & Swinson, 2000)

Interpersonal Situations (i.e., interacting with others)

Asking someone out on a date

Initiating or maintaining a conversation
Going to a party
Having friends over for dinner
Meeting new people
Talking on the telephone
Expressing a personal opinion
Having a job interview
Being assertive (e.g., asking someone else to change their behavior)
Returning an item to a store
Sending back food in a restaurant
Making eye contact

Performance Situations (i.e., being observed by others)

Public speaking
Speaking in meetings
Playing sports or participating in aerobics
Getting married
Performing music or acting on a stage
Eating or drinking in front of others
Using public bathrooms with others in the room
Writing with others watching (e.g., filling out a form)
Making a mistake in public (e.g., falling down, dropping your keys, etc.)
Walking or jogging in a public place (e.g., on a busy street)
Introducing yourself (e.g., saying your name) in front of a group
Shopping in a busy store
 The Knowledge Tree
1640 Powers Ferry Road SE, Building 9, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30067
www.TheKnowledgeTree.org ~ (404) 913-2005

Physical Feelings Associated with Social Anxiety

(From Anthony & Swinson, 2000)

Racing or pounding heart

Breathlessness or feelings of being smothered
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Difficulty swallowing, choking feelings, or a “lump” in the throat
Quivering or shakiness (e.g., in the hands, knees, lips, or whole body)
Blushing
Nausea, diarrhea, or “butterflies” in the stomach
Excessive sweating
Trembling or quavering voice
Tearfulness, crying
Nervous laughter, smiling
Poor concentration (e.g., forgetting what you are trying to say)
Blurred vision
Numbness and tingling sensations
Feelings of unreality of being detached
Tightness or weakness in the muscles (e.g., wobbly legs, sore neck)
Chest pain or tightness in chest muscles
Dry mouth
Hot flashes or chills
 The Knowledge Tree
1640 Powers Ferry Road SE, Building 9, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30067
www.TheKnowledgeTree.org ~ (404) 913-2005

Examples of Anxious Beliefs about Social Situations and Relationships

(From Anthony & Swinson, 2000)

It is important that everybody like me

If my boss doesn’t like me, I will be fired
If I give a presentation, I will make a fool of myself
If I make a mistake, people will become angry with me
People are untrustworthy and nasty
People should always be interested in what I say
People should not look at me the wrong way
If I am not liked by a particular person, I am unlikable
If someone rejects me, I deserve it
It is awful to blush, shake, or sweat in front of others
People can tell when I am anxious
People find me unattractive
If I speak to my boss, I will look incompetent
I should be able to hide my anxious symptoms
If my hands shake at work, it will be a disaster
Anxiety is a sign of weakness
I should not appear anxious
If I am too anxious, I will not be able to speak
 The Knowledge Tree
1640 Powers Ferry Road SE, Building 9, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30067
www.TheKnowledgeTree.org ~ (404) 913-2005

Examples of Anxious Behaviors

(From Anthony & Swinson, 2000)

Anxious Behavior Examples

Refusing to Enter the Situation Turning down an invitation to a party

Making an excuse not to have dinner with a friend
Never answering questions in class

Escaping from the Situation
Always arriving late for meetings and leaving early
to avoid making “small talk”
Offering to help with the dishes at a party to avoid
talking to the guests
Making an excuse to get off the telephone with a friend
or coworker

Subtle Avoidance Behaviors Distracting yourself from your anxious thoughts

Keeping the room dark during your presentations to keep
the audience focused on the slides rather than you
Filling out a check before arriving at a store to avoid
writing in front of others
Avoiding eye contact and speaking very softly when
conversing with others

Overprotective Behaviors Wearing makeup and a turtleneck sweater to hide your

blushing
Always attending the holiday office party with a close
friend, spouse, or other safe person even though your
coworkers tend to attend alone
Always arriving early for meetings to ensure that it will
not be necessary to enter the room after everyone else is
already seated

Drug or Alcohol Use Having a couple of glasses of wine before meeting another
person for a date
 The Knowledge Tree
1640 Powers Ferry Road SE, Building 9, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30067
www.TheKnowledgeTree.org ~ (404) 913-2005

Three Components of Social Anxiety Monitoring Form

(From Anthony & Swinson, 2000)

Place/Situation Fear Sensations Anxious Thoughts Anxious Behaviors

Date/Time (0/100)

(Sample)

Place/Situation Fear Sensations Anxious Thoughts Anxious Behaviors

Date/Time (0/100)

March 3 55 Blushing I will have nothing to say Kept to myself and didn’t
At a party Started sweating People think I am strange talk to anyone
People will think I’m stupid Make an excuse to leave
early

March 7 90 Heart pounding My boss will think I’m Avoided eye contact
Talking to my Blushing incompetent Apologized excessively
boss Sweating My anxiety will show

March 9 70 Heart pounding I sound stupid Spoke very quietly

Spoke in class Sweating People will laugh at me Said no more that I felt I
had to