“Anxiety issues hit an all-time high during the pandemic and severely impacted people’s lives,” says Dr. Debra Kissen, head of Light on Anxiety CBT Treatment Centers, which uses cognitive behavioral therapy to identify irrational thoughts and replace them with realistic ones. “COVID-19 gave those with social anxiety a good excuse to avoid social situations, but with things opening up again there’s public pressure for people to start re-engaging in society, and that’s made it especially hard for those facing anxiety issues.”
Do I Have Social Anxiety or Something Else?
As America slowly reopens from the COVID-19 pandemic, social anxiety is on the rise. Nearly half of Americans are anxious about adjusting to in-person interactions again once the pandemic ends, according to the Stress in America survey conducted by the American Psychological Association.
