Social Anxiety Disorder, Public Speaking Anxiety and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), i.e., fear or anxiety in social situations, is a frequent and debilitating condition that can affect various life domains. The chapter provides a brief overview of SAD and its subtype, public speaking anxiety. The second section of the discussion focuses on exposure therapy and specifically a modern mode of delivery that involves virtual reality technology. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms of exposure therapy that lead to effective treatment outcomes are being discussed. It is suggested that a better understanding of how exposure works and the underlying mechanisms involved in effective change is essential to enhancing clinical outcomes.