Cognitive Models of Social Anxiety: Part 1

Cognitive Models of Social Anxiety

Part 1: Chronological Stages

Social anxiety can be considered in terms of distinct chronological stages: before, during, and after each social situation.  Clark & Beck (2010) provide a complex cognitive model of social anxiety divided into “before, during, and after” stages termed: “anticipation”, “situational exposure”, and “postevent processing.”  Below is a simplified break-down of the typical features of the three chronological stages found in social anxiety.

1. Before (Anticipation and Preparation)

  1. Thoughts.  Worry about the social situation, i.e., thinking about it for long periods, dwelling on the worst-case scenario (“catastrophic” predictions).
  2. Feelings.  Anticipatory anxiety, which inevitably tends to mount as the event draws closer in time (and location).
  3. Actions.  Avoidance of the event, e.g., calling in to work sick to avoid a presentation.  Excessive planning or preparation for event and preoccupation with it.

2. During (Exposure and Coping)

  1. Thoughts.  Automatic appraisals of social threat, i.e., involuntary thoughts and images regarding negative evaluation by others, e.g., things going wrong, humiliation, etc.  Heightened self-focused attention.
  2. Feelings.  Acute anxiety and sometimes even panic attack symptoms, e.g., heart racing, shaking, sweating, blushing, disorientation, dissociation (“derealisation”), etc.
  3. Actions.  Automatic “inhibition” of speech and behaviour, e.g., “clamming up”, feeling frozen, moving awkwardly.  Automatic safety-seeking and avoidance, e.g., avoiding eye contact, gripping objects, etc.

3. After (Reflection and Rumination)

  1. Thoughts.  Rumination and self-criticism about the outcome, focusing on negative aspects and their perceived significance for self-esteem, etc.
  2. Feelings.  Shame and damaged self-esteem.
  3. Actions.  Attempts to suppress negative thoughts and feelings, e.g., using alcohol or distraction, etc.  Further avoidance of future situations. 

During exposure to the situation a rapid series of responses occur which are broken-down further in part 2 of this article.

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