Living with social anxiety: what it means and how to cope
Living with social anxiety can be extremely challenging. It can cause intense feelings of fear, self-doubt, and panic when interacting with others. It can lead to avoiding social situations or engaging in safety behaviors that reduce anxiety in the moment, but can actually worsen it in the long run. In this blog post, we will explore what social anxiety is, why it occurs, and how to cope with it.
We will discuss strategies for managing the physical symptoms of social anxiety, as well as techniques for reducing the fear of social interactions.
What is social anxiety?
Social anxiety, also referred to as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of, or anxiety toward, social situations and the potential for being judged or evaluated negatively by other people. This fear can lead to avoiding certain types of social situations altogether, or using safety behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, staying silent, avoiding social gatherings, and more.
It’s important to note that this isn’t simply shyness, as shyness is a feeling of apprehension in social situations and doesn’t typically cause intense fear and anxiety. People with social anxiety often feel a fear of humiliation and embarrassment, leading to avoidance and safety behaviors.
What are some common symptoms of social anxiety?
Social anxiety can cause physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that can be debilitating and make it difficult to live a normal life.
Physical symptoms of social anxiety may include blushing, trembling, rapid heart rate, stomachaches, sweating, nausea, and headaches.
Mental health symptoms of social anxiety might include racing thoughts, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, and worrying about being judged or evaluated.
Emotional symptoms of social anxiety might include low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, fear of humiliation, fear of being rejected, feeling on edge, and feeling insecure.
Social anxiety can also cause avoidance behaviors, such as staying away from large groups of people or avoiding certain activities or places. It is important to note that everyone experiences these symptoms differently and may not experience all of them. If you are struggling with social anxiety, it is important to speak with a mental health professional to find the right treatment plan for your specific needs.
What are some common safety behaviors people with social anxiety use?
People with social anxiety often use safety behaviors to cope with their feelings of distress in social situations. Safety behaviors are actions that people take to make themselves feel safer and more comfortable in a social setting, even if they don't actually reduce the chances of something bad happening.
Examples of safety behaviors include avoiding eye contact, staying quiet, faking confidence, speaking in a low tone of voice, and avoiding certain topics of conversation. Other safety behaviors may include staying close to exits, only speaking when absolutely necessary, and limiting interactions with others as much as possible.
Safety behaviors can be helpful in the short term, as they provide a sense of comfort in difficult social situations. However, in the long term, these behaviors can actually make it more difficult for people with social anxiety to feel relaxed and confident in social situations.
That's because safety behaviors reinforce the idea that there is something to fear or be anxious about in social situations, and this can make the anxiety worse. So while safety behaviors may help in the short term, it's important to eventually challenge them so that you can become more comfortable in social situations over time.
If you are struggling with social anxiety, it is important to remember that you don’t have to face it alone. There are resources available to help you get through this difficult time. Therapy can be helpful and effective in helping you overcome social anxiety. If you want more information about how therapy can help, feel free to reach out for a consultation.
