Everything you need to know about Social Anxiety

What is social anxiety? :

Social anxiety is a discomfort or a fear when a person is in a social interaction that involves a concern of being judged or evaluated by others.

It?s normal to feel nervous in some social situations. But in social anxiety disorder, everyday interactions cause significant anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment because you fear being judged by others.

Shyness and discomfort in certain social situations doesn?t always mean you have social anxiety. Comfort in social situations depends on your personality and life experiences. Some people are naturally shy, and others are more outgoing.

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

Fear of situations in which you may be judged

Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself

Concern that you?ll offend someone

Intense fear of interacting or talking to strangers

Fear that others will notice that you look anxious

Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling or having a shaky voice

Avoiding doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment

Avoiding situations where you might be the center of attention

Having anxiety in anticipation of a feared activity or event

Spending time after a social situation analyzing your performance and indetifying flaws in your interactions

Expecting the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation

For children, anxiety about ineracting with adults or peers may be shown by crying, having temper tantrums, clinging to parents or refusing to speak in social situations.

Performance type of social anxiety disorder is when you experience intense fear and anxiety only during speaking or performing in public, but not in other types of social situations.

Physical Symptoms

Fast heartbeat

Upset stomach or nausea

Trouble catching your breath

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Confusion or feeling ?out of body?

Diarrhea

Muscle tension

Avoiding normal social situations

Using a public bathroom

Interacting with strangers

Eating in front of others

Making eye contact

Initiating conversation

Dating

Attending parties or social gatherings

Missing work or school

Entering a room in which people are already seated

Returning items to a stoor

Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if you?re facing a lot of stress or demands. Although avoiding anxiety-producing situations may make you feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to persist over the long term if you don?t get treatment.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor or mental health provider if you fear and avoid normal social situations because they cause embarrassment, worry, or panic. If this type of anxiety disrupts your life, causes severe stress, and affects your faily activities, you may have social anxiety disorder or another mental health condition that requires treatment to get better.

Causes

Inherited traits. Anxiety disorder tends to run in families. However, it isn?t entirely clear on how much this may be due to genetics and how much is due to learned behavior.

Brain structure. A structure in the brain called the amygdala may play a role in controlling the fear response. People who have an overactive amygdala may have a heightened fear response, causing increased anxiety in social situations.

Environment. Social anxiety disorder may be learned behavior. That is, you may develop the condition after witnessing anxious behaviors of others. In addition, there may be an association between social anxiety disorder and parents who are more controlling or protective of their children.

Risk factors

Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders. It usually begins in early to midteens, although it can sometimes start earlier in childhood or in adulthood.

Several factors can increase the risk of developing social anxiety disorder, including:

Family history. You?re more likely to develop social anxiety disorder if your biological parents or siblings have the condition.

Negative experiences. Children who experience teasing, bullying, rejection, ridicule or humiliation may be more prone to social anxiety disorder. In addition, other negative events in life, such as family conflict or sexual abuse, may be associated with social anxiety disorder.

Temperament. Children who are shy, timid, withdrawn or restrained when facing new situations or people may be at greater risk.

New social or work demands. Meeting new people, giving a speech in public or making an important work presentation may trigger social anxiety disorder symptoms for the first time. These symptoms usually have their roots in adolescence, however.

Having a health condition that draws attention. Facial disfigurement, stuttering, Parkinson's disease and other health conditions can increase feelings of self-consciousness and may trigger social anxiety disorder in some people.

Complications

Left untreated, social anxiety disorder may run your life. Anxieties can interfere with work, school, relationships or enjoyment of life. Social anxiety disorder can cause:

Low self-esteem

Trouble being assertive

Negative self-talk

Hypersensitivity to criticism

Poor social skills

Isolation and difficult social relationships

Low academic and employment achievement

Substance abuse, such as drinking too much alcohol

Suicide or suicide attempts

Other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, substance abuse problems and certain other mental health disorders can often occur with social anxiety disorder.

What to expect from your doctor

A doctor or mental health provider may ask:

Does fear of embarrassment cause you to avoid doing things or speaking to people?

Do you avoid activities in which you are the center of attention?

Would you say that being embarrassed or looking stupid is among your worst fears?

When did you first notice these symptoms?

When are your symptoms most likely to occur?

Does anything seem to make your symptoms better or worse?

How are your symptoms affecting your life, including your work and personal relationships?

Do you ever have symptoms when you're not being observed by others?

Have any of your close relatives had similar symptoms?

Have you been diagnosed with any medical conditions?

Have you been treated for other psychiatric symptoms or mental illness in the past? If yes, what type of therapy was most beneficial?

Have you ever thought about harming yourself or others?

Do you drink alcohol or use illegal drugs? If so, how often?

Coping and support

These coping methods may help ease your anxiety:

Reach out to friends and family members

Join a local or Internet-based support group

Join a group that offers opportunities to improve communication and public speaking skills, such as Toastmasters International

Do pleasurable activities, such as hobbies, when you feel anxious

Over time, these coping methods can help control your symptoms and prevent a relapse. Remind yourself that you can get through anxious moments, that your anxiety is short-lived, and that the negative consequences you worry about so much rarely come to pass.

Prevention

There's no way to predict what will cause someone to develop an anxiety disorder in the first place, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you're anxious:

Get help early. Anxiety, like many other mental health conditions, can be harder to treat if you wait.

Keep a journal. Keeping track of your personal life can help you and your mental health provider identify what's causing you stress and what seems to help you feel better.

Prioritize issues in your life. You can reduce anxiety by carefully managing your time and energy.

Avoid unhealthy substance use. Alcohol and drug use and even caffeine or nicotine use can cause or worsen anxiety. If you're addicted to any of these substances, quitting can make you anxious. If you can't quit on your own, see your doctor or find a treatment program or support group to help you.

I hope this helps you really understand social anxiety! I can only imagine how hard this must be to struggle with, but help and treatment is possible. Also, feel free to connect 1-1 with a listener, as we would always love to help and support you in any way we can.