What is Social Anxiety?
Anxiety can take many forms. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re afraid of everything. Sometimes, the fear you feel could result from something very specific.
Social anxiety, for example, triggers feelings of fear or anxiousness when you’re in a social setting or around people you might not know. You might start to think about all of the “what ifs” associated with that social setting, fueling your fear even further.
Sound familiar? Struggling with social anxiety can make life difficult. You might start to wonder if there’s something wrong with you, or you might avoid social settings altogether to keep the fear at bay.
With that in mind, let’s look at social anxiety, including some symptoms. More importantly, we’ll cover what you can do to take control of the fear.
What Causes Social Anxiety?
There’s no one overarching cause of social anxiety. It can develop in childhood or later in life. However, it’s often linked to past events that might influence how you feel and see things now.
For example, if you were a child who was bullied or teased, you might have “learned” to fear social situations. Now, as an adult, you might worry that people will talk about you behind your back or make false assumptions about you when you interact with them. Even if that’s not the case, it’s very easy for anxiety to make you think things that aren’t based in reality.
Shy children often become socially anxious adults, too. Maybe your parents were overbearing when you were a child, causing you to stay in your shell. That can lead to anxious feelings when you get older.
Social anxiety can be triggered in adulthood, too. Maybe you made an embarrassing mistake or statement around people, and you can’t forget it. Maybe you’ve experienced abuse in a relationship that has triggered underlying fear whenever you’re out in public.
Whatever the case, understanding what has caused your social anxiety is often the first step in actively treating it.
What Are the Signs?
Social anxiety is much more than just being scared of being around people. It’s not necessarily the people that cause fear. It’s what might happen when you’re around them.
Some of the common signs of social anxiety include an intense fear of being judged or criticized, worrying about embarrassment, or wondering if you’ll offend someone with something you say.
If those underlying concerns are always on your mind, whether in a small group or a large crowd, it’s easy to feel fearful of those situations. You might feel like you’re being watched, even if no one is really paying attention to you.
Social anxiety can cause immediate physical symptoms, including sweating, trembling, and a rapid heartbeat. It can also cause your self-esteem to struggle. You might start to believe that you aren’t worthy of having healthy relationships, so you withdraw from social situations altogether.
What Can You Do?
Some people are more introverted than others. Some prefer spending time on their own rather than hanging out with crowds. There’s a difference between the preference of being alone and the fear of being social.
If constant worry and fear over social settings are taking over your life, it’s time to do something about it. You deserve the enjoyment of spending time with people without worrying about being judged or criticized.
Start small with those you trust. Take baby steps in social settings, and make sure you have an “escape” plan if things become too heavy. Lean on your support system to remind yourself that you’re not alone.
Most importantly, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Anxiety therapy can help you better understand your social anxiety, including where it stems from. A therapist can also help you learn how to manage your symptoms and eventually find freedom from fear.