Former EastEnders star Shona McGarty has bravely opened up about her personal battle with social anxiety, encouraging those facing similar struggles to reach out for crucial mental health support. The actress and singer, widely recognised for her portrayal of Whitney Dean in the long-running BBC soap opera and her recent stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, revealed that social anxiety has been a significant challenge since her teenage years, profoundly shaping her life.
McGarty described a marked transformation in her personality as she entered adolescence. “I was always a chatty child, but as I got older, everything changed. Around 15, I suddenly became painfully self-aware,” she shared. This anxiety manifested intensely in a variety of social contexts, from initial introductions and professional interactions to even intimate family gatherings. “My social anxiety would happen when meeting new people, with colleagues or even at family gatherings,” she recounted. The physical and emotional toll was considerable, with symptoms including a racing heart, sweaty palms, and a feeling of impending faintness. McGarty admitted to sometimes feigning a phone call as a means to exit uncomfortable social situations.
Her decision to share her experience coincides with the launch of a new NHS campaign designed to boost awareness and prompt individuals experiencing six common anxiety conditions – including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – to self-refer for help online at nhs.uk/talk.
To shed further light on this condition, we consulted Dr Ravi Gill, a health psychologist and the founder of Smart Mind Health. Dr Gill provided expert insights into the key indicators of social anxiety disorder and discussed available treatment options.
The NHS defines social anxiety disorder, also referred to as social phobia, as a persistent and overwhelming fear of social situations. Dr Gill elaborated on this definition, explaining that it extends far beyond simple nerves. “People that experience social anxiety know that the fear that they have around these certain situations is not OK, so their nervous system reacts in a way that sends them into a slight bit of panic,” he stated.
He stressed that social anxiety is distinct from a lack of confidence, characterising it as “a genuine fear that something is going to happen and a fear of being seen and getting it wrong.” Dr Gill also pointed out its frequent co-occurrence with imposter syndrome.
The impact of social anxiety can be far-reaching, affecting both professional and personal aspects of an individual’s life. In the workplace, “performance situations… such as speaking up in meetings, doing a presentation or making a phone call can all add pressure and really heighten someone’s social anxiety,” Dr Gill explained. Within social circles, individuals grappling with the condition might opt to “just sit there and observe the conversation and won’t speak up and contribute,” often harbouring concerns that their thoughts might be misinterpreted or that they might inadvertently say something inappropriate.
It is crucial to differentiate social anxiety from general shyness. Dr Gill clarified this distinction: “General shyness would be just a hesitancy to want to get involved, whereas social anxiety would be someone who is more actively avoiding getting involved.” While a shy individual might be encouraged to participate, those experiencing social anxiety “will just avoid the situation completely, and know themselves that nudges or a boost in confidence is not going to work – so that’s how deep-rooted that fear becomes.”
The condition typically manifests through a combination of emotional and physical symptoms. Common emotional experiences include “shame, embarrassment, worry, and feeling like the situation is going to be too much for them,” frequently leading to a “negative thought spiral of overthinking a particular situation.” Physical manifestations can encompass “butterflies in your stomach and tummy issues,” alongside “a racing heart, sweaty hands, blushing and trembling.” The NHS website also identifies panic attacks, characterised by an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, as a potential symptom.
The Pervasive Impact of Social Anxiety
The influence of social anxiety on daily life can be profound, often leading individuals to impose limitations on themselves. “If you start avoiding one thing, it then can become quite easy to tell yourself to avoid something else,” Dr Gill cautioned. This pattern of avoidance can unfortunately extend to other areas of life, becoming “quite harmful” if not effectively managed, thereby escalating distress and impairment over time.
Interpersonal relationships can also be strained. Individuals may adopt a passive role as a partner due to a fear of judgment or reluctance to voice their opinions. Some might turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, which can introduce a new set of complications. Similarly, friendships can become strained if one person consistently bears the responsibility of initiating conversations and orchestrating social engagements.
Dr Gill strongly advises seeking professional assistance “when you begin to recognise that it’s starting to impact work, relationships and your own wellbeing.” He affirmed that social anxiety disorder is a diagnosable and treatable condition. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has proven highly effective, equipping individuals with the tools to “actively work through these thoughts, and take into consideration the emotions, and then look at how those particular two things impact their behaviour.”
Complementary approaches such as mindfulness techniques, including deep breathing exercises and grounding practices, can also provide valuable support for an overstimulated nervous system. In certain cases, medication may be prescribed as a short-term measure to alleviate symptoms. “There’s a group of medicines called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which can help lessen the impact of symptoms,” Dr Gill noted, adding that a General Practitioner (GP) would conduct a thorough clinical assessment prior to prescribing.
