Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How To Communicate Your Needs When You Have Social Anxiety

User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 September 11th, 2022

“The truth is that we all experience some degree of social anxiety from time to time, but most of us learn how to cope with it in our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately for people with severe social phobia, communicating their needs is nearly impossible without extreme discomfort or fear that they’ll say or do something embarrassing or inappropriate.

So, what steps can you take to establish healthy communication in your life? What can you do to start speaking up when it counts the most? Overcoming social anxiety is a process, but it starts with a few key points that will allow you to start communicating your needs.

Express Your Needs Appropriately In Social Situations — Seek Help When Needed

If you find yourself at a loss as to how to detect honest need from a genuine offer, here’s a simple test: if somebody offers help and they seem sincere, accept it! From there, offer your appreciation when they’ve helped you out. Even if you’re not getting enough assistance, be honest: politely let them know that they’ve been helpful — and seek other people to help out.

Practice Assertive Communication — Be Clear And Concise

Be clear and concise when you have something important to say. You can start practicing by sharing your thoughts with a trusted friend or family member rather than directing them to people less likely to understand. Then, when you do have to find the words for what you need to say, pause and collect your thoughts — rather than quickly blurting out something that you’ll later regret.

Build Your Self-Esteem — Accept Yourself As You Are

No matter how much we’d like to think otherwise, our actions are often influenced by our opinions of ourselves. If we believe that we’re worthless or lacking in one way or another, there’s no chance that we’ll improve our communication skills. This is why it’s so important for people with social anxiety to learn how to accept themselves as they are — no matter what their flaws may be.

Avoid Negative Self-Talk — Focus on Your Strengths

One of the most common ways that people with social anxiety sabotage their communication attempts is by giving into negative self-talk when they’re in the middle of a conversation with someone new. The way around this destructive cycle begins with taking a step back and focusing on your strengths and what you have to offer people as a whole. You don’t need to be the most brilliant person in the room or be the best at making conversation for someone to like you — you just need to be yourself!"

Read the full complete article on Medium

_1662866163.image.png

Takeaway: It can be challenging to manage social anxiety, but with patience and perseverance, you will gradually start to realize your full potential. Open conversation will help you get to know yourself better, identify your wants and needs, and eventually start to face your concerns.

Reflection: If you have social anxiety, can you share what helps you communicate better?

#Anxiety #Communication #SocialAnxiety #MentalHealth

12
User Profile: calmMango9611
calmMango9611 September 11th, 2022

@innateJoy9602 Thanks for writing this.

I do not suffer from social anxiety.

But I have had some anxiety, when I was a teen and also depression.

I do some meditation and listen to relaxing music.

I also find helping others, to be very helpful.

1 reply
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 OP September 12th, 2022

@calmMango9611

Meditation and listening to music sound like great approaches to managing anxiety!

Thanks for reading and sharing :)💛✨


load more
User Profile: NiaMostMysterious
NiaMostMysterious September 11th, 2022

I have always found it easier to write things down. That is what works for me.

1 reply
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 OP September 12th, 2022

@NiaMostMysterious

Same!

I keep a journal and it is very helpful!

Thanks for reading! 💛✨

load more
User Profile: comfortableNight4463
comfortableNight4463 September 11th, 2022

@innateJoy9602 I used to struggle a lot with social anxiety and I still so to some extent but I've gotten a lot better at coping. I worked on my self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-compassion which helped me a lot.

1 reply
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 OP September 12th, 2022

@comfortableNight4463

Self-compassion does wonders when it comes to anxiety!

I'm glad you have gotten better at coping :) 💛✨

load more
User Profile: calmDew1576
calmDew1576 September 11th, 2022

@innateJoy9602 It's true that social anxiety can be very challenging. It's also very interesting how self-love can cure every disorder though.

In my opinion taking some time to appreciate ourselves and our achievments and self-validate ourselves is the key to face almost every challenge.

Thank you for the great post!

1 reply
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 OP September 12th, 2022

@calmDew1576

That's a great point!

We need to take more time to appreciate ourselves!💛✨

load more
User Profile: Lockhart
Lockhart September 11th, 2022

@innateJoy9602

This is very good and thorough. I would also add that it's important to accept help that others offer when you need it, even if you're reluctant. Someone probably wouldn't offer to help if they didn't genuinely want to, especially if they know you're struggling in some way. Consider the possible consequences of not accepting the help (how the other person might feel, then what it'll take for you to find help independently later versus accepting their help, etc.).

1 reply
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 OP September 12th, 2022

@Lockhart

Very excellent point made!

Although it can be hard accepting help, it can be very beneficial!

We all need a little help sometimes<3💛✨


load more
User Profile: fruityPond7887
fruityPond7887 September 12th, 2022

@innateJoy9602 I do not have social anxiety myself, but I struggle with regular anxiety. I think some general advice would be to take it slow, but sometimes exposing yourself to the thing that causes your anxiety slowly can be really beneficial to lowering how much the anxiety affects you! You have to do what makes you most comfortable always!😊

1 reply
User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 OP September 12th, 2022

@fruityPond7887

Yes!

Take it slow is excellent advice!

Exposure therapy does work for a lot of people.

Thanks for reading and offering a great perspective! 💛✨

load more