High sensitivity and social anxiety and relief using The Linden Method

There are probably millions of highly sensitive people around the world who are working in situations where they are being watched when they work.

Some choose to perform in various ways – as actors, musicians, speakers.

Many years ago, I was a customer service rep, taking calls – often complaints – from cell phone customers.

Part of the training was having a call center manager hovering near my cubicle (like the person in red in the photo) while I had conversations.

That was more stressful than most of the callers.

Elaine Aron [ books] describes high sensitivity as including a disposition to get more over aroused when performing, taking tests, or any time someone else is watching us do something, such as working or eating.

Of course, the trigger and level of arousal or anxiety is different for each of us.

It can be intense one time and not so bad another time.

The stressful side of ordinary shyness or introversion can become extreme enough to be considered Social Anxiety.

Being highly sensitive probably makes us even more vulnerable.

Many of us who are introverted or shy or both choose lifestyles and jobs that nurture our creativity while providing a haven away from “too much” social interaction.

But there are many programs available for self-help with anxiety when needed.

Ones I have selected as an affiliate are on my site Anxiety Relief Solutions.

One of the them is The Linden Method, which has dozens of testimonials about its effectiveness. Founder Charles Linden has done extensive research to overcome his own panic and anxiety problems.

He explains, “Social anxiety disorder involves overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations.

“People with social anxiety have a persistent, intense and sometimes chronic fear of being watched and/or judged by other people and being embarrassed and/or humiliated by their actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school and other everyday activities.

“Social anxiety disorder can be limited to only one type of situation – such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating, drinking, or writing in front of others, or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.”

From article Social anxiety – a chronic fear of being watched and/or judged, By Charles Linden.

Here is a short video from his company explaining a key brain structure involved in anxiety: the amygdala.

Learn more about his program for relieving social anxiety, panic attacks and other anxiety problems – based on research by behavioral psychologists:
The Linden Method.

Related articles:
The Gifted Introvert – by Lesley Sword
How Distressing is Social Phobia? by Michael G. Rayel, M.D.
The Rewards of Being Shy by Michael Hochman

Of course, introversion / shyness is not by itself a disorder: the image is from the book: The Shy Writer: An Introvert’s Guide to Writing Success by C. Hope Clark.