Social Anxiety is Silent

Intense fear of certain social situations: fear of the unfamiliar, of being evaluated or judged by others, of being embarrassed in public. It can feel so terrifying that you get anxious just thinking about these situations. You likely go to great lengths to avoid certain situations.  Even when you understand that most of your fears are irrational, you feel like you cannot control the anxiety.

Having Social Anxiety is NOT about being shy, introverted or quiet. And it’s definitely NOT about someone lacking social skills.  It is the third largest mental health care issue and can be incredibly disruptive to a person’s life.

 

COMMON SOCIAL ANXIETY TRIGGERS 

  • Meeting new people

  • Making small talk

  • Public speaking

  • Being the center of attention

  • Being watched while doing something

  • Being teased or criticized

  • Talking with “important” people or authority figures

  • Being called on in group situations

  • Going on a date

  • Speaking up in a meeting

  • Eating or drinking in public

  • Posting on social media

  • Making phone calls

  • Attending social gatherings

When faced with any of the above situations, it can lead to irrational thoughts, intense worrying and drastic behaviors in response to the anxiety.  You are likely to:

  • Skip events and gatherings

  • Believe that no one wants to be friends or spend time with you

  • Think that others are constantly judging & looking down on you

  • Stay quiet, even when you feel strongly about something

  • Turn to unhealthy behaviors in hopes of comfort (drinking/self-medicating, eating)

  • Rethink how you look, what you say, or whether to respond to someone

Understanding your anxiety can help lessen the negative impact on your life. You can learn to quiet self-critical thoughts and become more confident in your interactions with others. With the help of a professional, you can gain tools to challenge negative thinking and replace them with more balanced assessments of situations. And you can work on being able to face social situations in a gradual, measured way, rather than avoiding them all together.

 

If you or someone you know struggles with social anxiety, reach out to learn more and get support.  It does not need to control your life anymore.

ArticlesHeather Kassman