Social anxiety (sometimes called social phobia) affects us all in different ways. For some people this social anxiety is a more serious fear that can make life very difficult. There are lots of social situations where we may feel anxious. It may be starting conversations, meeting new people, speaking or eating in front of others, being seen in public or speaking on the phone. This course explores what social anxiety is, it’s causes and what it is that keeps it going. The course then looks at ways to cope with social anxiety to enable you to move forward with your life.
This course will take approximately 40 to 75 minutes to complete, but this timing will depend on how fast you read and how long you spend on the activities and reflective questions. You do not need to complete the whole course in one go. If you leave and come back to the course it will remember where you got up to.
If you want a certificate for doing this course, press the ‘Mark Complete’ button at the bottom of each page.
Course updated: February 2025.
NHS social anxiety advice. To access this information on social anxiety via the NHS website, click the following link:
Anxiety UK: a national charity established in 1970 to provide support and services to those suffering from all anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, panic attacks, social phobia, simple phobia, phobia and tranquiliser issues. To access the Anxiety UK website, click the following link:
Breathing Space: a free, confidential phone line you can call when you're feeling down. You might be worried about something - money, work, relationships, exams - or maybe you're just feeling fed up and can't put your finger on why. To access the Breathing Space website, click the following link:
Health Unlocked Anxiety Support: helps people with general anxiety and anxiety from health related reasons. To access Health Unlocked Anxiety Support click the following link: