The Shyness & Social Anxiety Workbook
60anxiety levels (using a numeric scale such as 0 through 100), uncomfortable physical 
sensations such as blushing or shaking, anxious thoughts and predictions (for instance, 
“I will make a fool of myself during this presentation”), and anxious behaviors such as 
avoidance and distraction. An example of such a diary is the Three Components of 
Social Anxiety Monitoring Form, which you completed in chapter 1. Numerous other 
forms and diaries are included throughout this book as well. They are designed to be 
used while you try the speciﬁc treatment techniques described in later chapters.
BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS
The most commonly used type of behavioral assessment for social anxiety is the 
Behavioral Approach Test, or BAT. This assessment method involves physically entering 
a feared situation and measuring your anxiety and associated symptoms. For example, if 
you are afraid of public speaking, you might force yourself to speak at a staff meeting. 
After the meeting, you can record the particulars of the situation (who else was there, 
how long you spoke for, and so on), your fear level (for example, 80 out of 100), your 
anxious thoughts (such as, “My words will come out all jumbled”), and whether you 
engaged in any avoidance behaviors (like avoiding eye contact).
If it is too frightening to try this in a real-life situation, or if it is impossible to do 
so for another reason, the assessment can be completed in the form of a role-play. In 
a role-play, the person acts out the feared situation with the therapist or another indi -
vidual present, instead of being in the real situation. For example, if you are afraid of