There is more to social anxiety than occasionally feeling bashful or uneasy among strangers. Rather, it's the intense and occasionally paralyzing fear associated with social settings, particularly when it comes to the possibility of being ridiculed or condemned.
Strong physical sensations of anxiety may be experienced by those who have a social anxiety disorder, which may cause them to completely avoid social interactions and have a detrimental effect on their relationships, productivity at work, and general quality of life. Continue reading to learn more about the particular signs of social anxiety and what to do if you recognize them.
Social Anxiety Symptoms
A person may have symptoms due to almost any kind of social circumstance; they are not limited to public speaking or entering a room full of strangers. For example, symptoms could occur even when a person meets with a friend for coffee, responds to a question in class, or makes an order at a restaurant.
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When experienced in response to social circumstances, the following symptoms may be indicative of social anxiety:
- shaking or perspiring
- inability to maintain eye contact
- nausea
- having a feeling of mental blankness
- a faster heartbeat
- assuming the worst when it comes to social interactions
- the worry that people will see that you're anxious
- experiencing extreme self-consciousness
- Retrospection or performance appraisal following social interactions
Different Manifestations of Social Anxiety
A person's experience with this kind of anxiety might vary based on several personal circumstances, such as the intensity of their social anxiety. Even while they may still be able to attend social events, those with mild social anxiety may nevertheless exhibit some symptoms in some or all circumstances.
For instance, they might feel more comfortable talking to someone over the phone since they can't see them, but they might feel uncomfortable meeting new people in person. On the other side, someone suffering from severe social anxiety may find it impossible to cope in any kind of social setting due to the intense symptoms they go through, such as full-blown panic attacks.
Others who use drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication to ease their nervousness might not show signs of social anxiety. It could be the cause of the frequent co-occurrence of drug use disorders and social anxiety disorders, particularly those involving alcohol.
Making a Social Anxiety Disorder diagnosis
An accurate diagnosis of social anxiety disorder can only be made by a licensed healthcare professional. For an evaluation, it's usually better to consult with one if you're suffering symptoms. To make sure there isn't a medical reason for your anxiety symptoms, you should first schedule a physical examination with your primary care physician.
Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment
It can be crucial to receive therapy for social anxiety disorder. Initially, some individuals with this illness believe that their social anxiety is merely a personality trait, but in fact, it may be a mental health illness. This implies that individuals might be able to live more true to who they are and have a higher quality of life with treatment.
Acknowledging your social anxiety might be the first step toward getting help and controlling the illness. An extreme fear of social settings and a strong desire to avoid them are the hallmarks of social anxiety, sometimes referred to as social phobia.
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Conclusion
It could be beneficial to speak with a mental health professional if you identify with multiple of these symptoms in yourself and they have a substantial influence on your day-to-day functioning. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help help people manage and overcome social anxiety. Social anxiety is a treatable illness.
