In most cases of social isolation and discomfort it is the embarrassment that seems to be the hardest part. Embarrassment is an often-felt emotional state that is typically associated with severe to mild degrees of psychological discomfort, and is normally experienced whenever someone commits an unacceptable or socially frowned upon behavior that was either revealed or observed by other people. The word embarrassment is thought to have been derived from the Latin root meaning "to hide" in reference to actions and events that are not in line with societal expectations.
In the case of social isolation, the individual who experiences the embarrassment may feel as if he or she has committed a criminal act. This act may include the failure to behave appropriately in a particular situation. The feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment that the person experiences may also trigger feelings of anxiety or depression.
As a result, the person suffering the embarrassment usually feels a loss of self-esteem and may experience feelings of worthlessness, inferiority, guilt, or other negative emotions. These feelings may last for a long time, or they can fade over time, or they can occur at once.
In addition to socially isolating the person suffering the embarrassment, his or her life is also affected. When one is ashamed of his or her behavior, this behavior is reflected back at him or her. The person may feel that he or she has done something terribly wrong and will be forever labeled a bad person.
In some cases, the individual experiencing the embarrassment also feels a sense of shame or guilt for having engaged in a behavior that is embarrassing. Shame and guilt often lead the person to seek help from a professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. These professionals may offer a range of solutions to the embarrassment. These may include individual or group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychotherapy.
In CBT, a trained professional helps the person cope with the embarrassment through techniques such as behavioral and cognitive therapies. These treatments focus on changing the person's thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are contributing to the embarrassing behavior. One of the most common techniques used in CBT is called "self-hypnosis."
In self-hypnosis, the person is able to subconsciously change his or her perceptions and thoughts, which can help the individual to overcome his or her social anxiety or shame, and overcome their shame. In CBT, the person is taught how to recognize and overcome negative thinking patterns that lead to embarrassment and how to replace them with more positive ones.
Psychotherapy is used primarily for individuals suffering from social phobias and fears. A psychologist or psychiatrist may consult with the patient during the first few sessions, but it is not necessary for every case. In most cases, CBT can be started together with or shortly after the first appointment.
During cognitive behavioral therapy, the person experiences the embarrassment that is causing the problem by observing the behavior in a neutral setting. This neutral setting can involve an activity, a movie, or even a conversation. In order to begin treatment, the psychologist or psychiatrist will give the person instructions about what to do in order to change their behavior.
After the person changes his or her behavior, a series of new beliefs will be taught. These new beliefs will replace the old ones. These new beliefs will reinforce the behavior that was once distressing. If the behaviors of the individual are still embarrassing, they are reinforced in the opposite direction.
Once the person has changed his or her belief pattern, self-hypnosis can be used to reinforce these beliefs. By learning new beliefs and replacing them with more positive ones, the person is now capable of dealing with social situations that used to make him or her embarrassed. socially uncomfortable.
Over time, the embarrassment sufferer may come to realize that there are situations that were once embarrassing but now are no longer. Because the person has learned new coping strategies, he or she may find that social events are no longer embarrassing, and this may lead to a new set of self-esteem, or a better way of looking at the past.
