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eTreatment
Social anxiety - guided internet treatment
Social anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder in Norway and is characterised by a persistent fear that other people will think negatively of us. The fear may relate to one or a few specific types of situations, or to various situations. The symptoms are more extensive than those experienced by someone who is shy or has performance anxiety. Social anxiety can prevent people from participating in family life, working life, education or social activities. If you find that social anxiety makes it difficult for you to function in your daily life, treatment is available that can help you.
With eTreatment, you get access to an evidence-based treatment programme via a PC, tablet or mobile phone, while being followed up by a specialist healthcare provider. This is a form of internet-based treatment with professional guidance.
The programme is based on cognitive behavioural therapy, a form of therapy that focuses on how physical reactions, thoughts and actions affect how we feel. The aim is to help you understand what contributes to social anxiety and how you can manage it. You will learn how to make exposure as effective as possible. You will also learn how to recognise and change behaviours and thought patterns that maintain the anxiety.
Referral and assessment
How can I get eTreatment for social anxiety?
If you are already receiving treatment at your local district psychiatric centre (DPS), we would like you to apply in consultation with your therapist.
If you are not receiving treatment for mental health difficulties, you can contact your GP and ask them to refer you to us. Ask your doctor to state in the referral that you would like eTreatment. Other doctors or psychologists can also refer you.
You will receive a response from eTreatment by letter or at helsenorge.no. You will be notified by text message on your phone when there is a response on Helsenorge. The response will tell you about the assessment that has been made, what happens next, and your rights.
Response to your referral
You will receive a response from eTreatment by letter or at helsenorge.no. You will be notified by text message on your phone when there is a response on Helsenorge. The response will tell you about the assessment that has been made, what happens next and your rights. If we assess that the treatment is not relevant to you, you will be advised to contact the person who referred you or seek other treatment options. In either case, your GP will be informed that you have been in contact with us.
Before
If we conclude that you may benefit from eTreatment, you will be invited to an assessment appointment. The appointment may be a video consultation or a face-to-face meeting. You will receive more information about this in the response letter.
You will meet with a therapist from eTreatment. The therapist will work with you to assess your difficulties and life situation. You can also ask questions about eTreatment. Together, you will assess whether eTreatment is a suitable option for you.
During
The treatment
If you agree that the programme is right for you, you can start treatment the same day. You will receive information about how to log in, and you will log in to the treatment using your BankID.
eTreatment is structured in steps. When you have completed one chapter, you will get access to the next one. The most important part of the treatment is practising the exercises you are given. The exercises do not take place within the digital programme; instead, they are tasks for you to practise in your everyday life.
The treatment for social anxiety includes:
information about social phobia
a model of social phobia and exposure to physical reactions
exposure to social situations
how to make exposure as effective as possible
more about exposure
managing difficulties that may arise during exposure, and acceptance
managing relapses
how to maintain change and make a plan for the future
Working with your eTherapist
Your therapist will follow up with you each week through written messages in the programme. You can write to your therapist whenever it suits you—for example, to describe how the exercises have gone, share what you have been thinking about, or ask questions.
Your therapist will read what you write, give you feedback and support you as you work through the treatment. The aim is for you to work together towards what is important to you, and for you to receive help in achieving your goals.
Involve those close to you
It may be helpful to tell those close to you, and perhaps show them, what you are working on in treatment. Our experience shows that people who involve a family member or close friend in their treatment may find it easier to work through their challenges.
After
Once you have completed eTreatment, you will be offered an appointment with your therapist. After this meeting, your treatment will end, but you will have read-only access to all the content for 6 months.
You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder public transport to find your route:akt.no
You may be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses when travelling to and from your treatment location.
You should generally use public transport, and you must pay a co-payment. To get reimbursed for travel expenses you have paid, you must complete a travel expense form and send it toPatient travel.
Practical information
Does the appointment not suit you? If you receive your appointment letter digitally on helsenorge.no, you can now send a direct message to the department you are going to if you need a new appointment time. You must be a registered user of Helsenorge to access the service. You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on:38 07 30 00
Many patients and relatives wish to take photos/videos or blog about their time in hospital. Of course, you may do so as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.
Here are a few good tips for using social media if you are a patient or relative:
Be considerate of others. You must have consent if you want to take photos or videos of patients or staff. All patients are entitled to privacy while in hospital.
Parents/guardians decide whether you may take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. When a child turns 12, their views must be given considerable weight. When a child turns 15, they decide for themselves whether they are happy to be photographed and whether the photos may be published.
Remember that staff must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If others have posted photos of you online without permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they do not listen, you can contact:www.slettmeg.no.
Audio recording It is not illegal to record conversations in which you participate, for private use. However, publishing and sharing recordings requires consent from the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations in which you do not participate is illegal.
Smoking can cause discomfort to others. Thank you for being considerate and helping Sørlandet Hospital maintain a smoke-free environment.
If you need an interpreter, please notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. Interpreter costs are covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no
You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder Public Transport to find your route:akt.no
You may be entitled to reimbursement for necessary travel expenses when travelling to and from your place of treatment.
You should use public transport whenever possible, and you will have to pay a co-payment. To claim reimbursement for travel expenses you have paid, you must complete a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient travel.
Practical information
Is your appointment inconvenient? If you receive your appointment letter digitally via helsenorge.no, you can now send a direct message to the department you are visiting if you need to reschedule. You must be a registered user on Helsenorge to access this service. You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on:38 07 30 00
Many patients and relatives want to take photos or videos, or blog about their time in hospital. You are of course welcome to do so, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.
Here are a few tips on using social media for patients and relatives:
Be considerate of others. You must have consent to take photos or videos of patients or staff. All patients are entitled to privacy while in hospital.
Parents/guardians decide whether you may take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is in the child’s best interests. Once the child has turned 12, their views must be given considerable weight. Once the child has turned 15, they decide for themselves whether they are comfortable being photographed and whether the photos may be published.
Remember that staff must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If someone has posted photos of you online without permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they do not listen, you can contact:www.slettmeg.no.
Audio recordings It is not illegal to record conversations in which you take part for private use. However, publishing or sharing recordings requires the consent of the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations in which you do not take part is illegal.
If you need an interpreter, you must notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. The cost of the interpreter is covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no
