Social Anxiety: The Role of Self-Criticism and Shame

Social anxiety (SA), often referred to as social phobia, is characterised by an intense fear of being judged or scrutinised by others. This fear frequently leads to the avoidance of social situations, driven by overwhelming self-consciousness and anxiety, which can significantly impair an individual's quality of life. Research consistently demonstrates a strong link between social anxiety and high levels of self-criticism, dependency on others, and low self-esteem (Iancu et al., 2015).

The Roots of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety often originates from early negative experiences, such as abuse, criticism, or neglect from significant others (MacLeod et al., 2012). These experiences can instil a lasting belief that others are inherently threatening, fostering a self-concept that feels socially inadequate. This distorted self-perception fuels self-criticism, as individuals harshly evaluate themselves in an attempt to shield against further shame or rejection (Shahar et al., 2015).

Although commonly perceived as purely detrimental, self-criticism can also serve as a protective mechanism. By maintaining a harsh inner critic, individuals aim to guard themselves against perceived threats of judgement or rejection (Gilbert & Irons, 2005). However, while this coping strategy might offer temporary relief from anxiety, it ultimately perpetuates feelings of social awkwardness and reinforces negative self-perceptions.

Emotion-Focused Therapy: A Promising Approach

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) has shown considerable success in addressing social anxiety, particularly by targeting self-criticism and the underlying feelings of shame (MacLeod et al., 2012). A core component of EFT is the establishment of a strong, empathic therapeutic relationship, encouraging clients to confront and process their internal conflicts. Techniques such as the two-chair dialogue task have proven effective in reducing self-critical thoughts and fostering greater self-compassion (Shahar et al., 2017).

Understanding Negative Treatment of Self (NTS)

Recent research has expanded the concept of negative self-treatment (NTS) beyond mere self-criticism. NTS encompasses a range of harmful self-relating behaviours that negatively impact emotional well-being (Capaldi & Elliott, 2023). Initial studies suggest that NTS arises not only from self-criticism but also from a wider array of destructive self-actions. Enhancing our understanding of these behaviours could lead to more targeted therapeutic interventions.

The Cycle of Shame and Self-Criticism

Shame plays a critical role in reinforcing social anxiety. Individuals with SA often recall childhood experiences of emotional abuse or bullying, leading to ingrained feelings of guilt and inadequacy (Elliott & Shahar, 2017). In response, they may develop a hypervigilant and self-critical stance to prevent further shame-filled encounters. Unfortunately, this cycle can be extremely difficult to break without professional intervention.

Moving Forward: Towards Better Treatment

Managing social anxiety remains a complex challenge. However, a growing body of evidence supports Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) as an effective treatment. By addressing both self-criticism and underlying shame, therapists can help individuals develop healthier self-relationships, promoting greater self-acceptance and compassion.

A study by Shahar et al. (2017) demonstrated that a 28-session EFT model significantly reduced social anxiety symptoms, with most participants no longer meeting the criteria for social phobia at the end of therapy.

An additional strength of EFT lies in its focus on the self-relationship. Through self-relationship training, individuals learn to identify and address negative treatment of self (NTS) patterns, fostering compassionate self-acceptance. This transformation not only reduces anxiety but also promotes lasting emotional well-being. As our understanding of social anxiety deepens, so too do our therapeutic approaches, offering renewed hope for those struggling with this challenging condition.

References

• Capaldi, K., & Elliott, R. (2023). Negative Treatment of Self in Socially Anxious Clients. Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 23(1), 101-121.

• Elliott, R., & Shahar, B. (2017). Emotion-focused therapy for social anxiety (EFT-SA). Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, 16(2).

• Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2005). Focused therapies and compassionate mind training for shame and self-attacking. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy (pp. 263–325). Routledge.

• Iancu, I., Bodner, E., & Ben-Zion, I. Z. (2015). Self-criticism, dependency, self-esteem and social anxiety in university students and their parents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71(2), 170-181.

• MacLeod, R., Elliott, R., & Rodgers, B. (2012). Process-experiential/emotion-focused therapy for social anxiety: A hermeneutic single-case efficacy design study. Psychotherapy Research, 22(1), 67-81.

• Shahar, B., Bar-Kalifa, E., & Alon, E. (2017). Emotion-focused therapy for social anxiety disorder: Results from a multiple-baseline study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85(3), 238-249.

• Shahar, B., Doron, G., & Szepsenwol, O. (2015). Childhood maltreatment, shame‐proneness and self‐criticism in social anxiety disorder: A sequential mediational model. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 22(6), 570-579.