How do I know if I have social anxiety?

Do you feel anxious in social situations? Does it impact how you react to these situations or cause you to avoid them? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you may be suffering from social anxiety.

It's extremely common to just be shy in social situations, however social anxiety is an intense fear of everyday activities, such as speaking on the phone. It's natural to worry about social situations, but people with social anxiety disorder constantly worry and will get physical symptoms (e.g panic attack), social anxiety becomes more than just a worry. I'd say that if it disturbs your everyday activities and makes you worry about doing simple tasks involving socialising, then it would become social anxiety. The signs of social anxiety disorder are: fear of meeting strangers, fear of talking in groups or starting conversations, fear of speaking on the phone, fear of eating or drinking in public, having low self-esteem and feeling insecure about relationships, fear of being judged, and avoiding eye contact. If you worry about social interactions and doing simple tasks that involve social interactions, then I would say it is social anxiety. However, there is also just being 'shy', but if you're just shy then you won't feel the anxiety that people suffering with social anxiety disorder feel. The main sign of anxiety is always panic attacks, if you have a panic attack then it's much more than just a worry.

If your chest hurts because you have to schedule an appointment over the phone, if you would wait in line at the self checkout for 15 minutes even though there is a free lane, if you cancel plans just because you don't want to deal with people in public, then you probably have a form of social anxiety.

Many times you will notice you are being very uncomfortable in social situations. Feelings like anxiety, fear and confusion are usually present. It may be physical too. That includes symptoms like drying mouth, feeling nauseous, sweating palms, headache etc.

If you are very afraid of speaking in public, or you have a constant fear of being judged by others

You will be very anxious and nervous around other people, and may avoid social situations because of fear of embarrassment, or other anxiety related issues. It's best to talk to your doctor about social anxiety!

Social anxiety is not always going to immediately identifiable, as I have had it for over 9 years and I just realized this in the past 2 years. I would say that if you are self conscious and you are scared of people looking at you and judging you for who you are, then that is a pretty big clue that you have it. If you are afraid to do small things because of what people might think or say, or if you have a hard time staying focused and engaged in conversations with people you don't/ barely know. Good luck, because social anxiety is a big deal and it literally drains my energy all day long.

I would definetly do research and see what signs and symptoms can be involving social anxiety. Along with that if you are look up excercises that can help.

I feel overwhelmed by the number of people that are around me, I purposely avoid meeting new people or joining in group conversations because I don't want to draw attention to myself.

Are you afraid to order food? Are you afraid to go on the phone with someone you do not know? You may have social anxiety. It may be like going up to your crush but with everyone you come in contact with that you don't know well.