Psychological support for people prone to social anxiety disorder during emergencies: a pilot study during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as being forced to stay at home, observing social distancing in public places, or having to switch to remote work (study), increased difficulties with social interaction. Although quarantine measures mitigated the "harmful impact of the pandemic" through psychological distancing from the typical stressors of social interaction, for individuals prone to social anxiety disorder, they contributed to the consolidation of avoidance strategies, prevented the disconfirmation of dysfunctional beliefs and unproductive expectations. Psychosocial support programs focused on affordable and flexible interventions will help improve resourcefulness, prevent excessive distress in difficult life circumstances, and relapse of comorbid mental health disorders.