We provide carefully researched answers to FAQs on social anxiety symptoms & ways to make friends while having social anxiety. Check them out! 👉
🤨How do I know I have social anxiety?
Social anxiety is more than just shyness. It is a phobia that does not go away and interferes with day-to-day activities, self-confidence, interpersonal interactions, and life at work or school.
People worry about social settings from time to time, but someone who suffers from social anxiety experiences excessive levels of worry before, during, and after these situations.
It's possible that you suffer from social anxiety if you:
Worry about day-to-day activities, such as meeting new people, starting discussions, chatting on the phone, working, or shopping. Avoid or worry about social activities, such as having group conversations, eating with company, and parties.
Always be concerned about doing something that you believe would embarrass you, such as blushing, sweating, or appearing incompetent; have difficulty performing tasks when other people are observing you. You can have the impression that people are constantly observing and evaluating you.
Avoid making eye contact, have low self-esteem, and fear being criticized.
Often exhibit symptoms such as feeling nauseous, sweating excessively, trembling, and/or having a rapid heartbeat suffer from panic episodes, which are characterized by an intense feeling of fear and anxiety that lasts for only a few minutes at a time.
A significant number of persons who suffer from social anxiety also struggle with other forms of mental illness, such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic disorder.
⏰How long do social anxiety symptoms last?
People who suffer from social anxiety disorder have an irrational fear of being judged negatively, feeling humiliated in front of others, or being rejected by others. This irrational fear manifests itself as a phobia.
People who live with a social anxiety disorder may experience feelings of worry that they will appear uneasy to others, such as by blushing or trembling, or that other people would think that they are awkward or stupid. Many patients also have severe symptoms of the condition in their bodies, such as an elevated heart rate, a feeling of nausea, or excessive sweating.
Even though some level of worry is typical in social situations, such as when giving a presentation or going on a date, social anxiety disorder is defined as anxiety that is extreme and has a negative impact on a person's ability to function in their professional or personal life.
And, social anxiety symptoms persist for at least six months.
📑You might also like: How can I control my social anxiety at work?
👫How to get to know someone when you have social anxiety?
Developing new friendships, particularly as an adult, can be challenging. But for people who struggle with social anxiety disorder, the process of finding new friends can be considerably more challenging.
If you suffer from social anxiety but are still interested in expanding your circle of acquaintances, the following strategies can help you feel more at ease while interacting with new people, hence increasing your chances of making new relationships.
1. Do not give up without a fight.
It's only normal to want to steer clear of things that give you chills and anxiety. However, if you constantly avoid the things that set off your anxiety, this may actually make it worse in the long term.
If you have a tendency to be shy while meeting new people, for instance, you could make progress toward achieving the following goals:
Make direct eye contact with an unfamiliar person.
Give someone you just met praise, flash a friendly grin at someone you don't know, ask someone you just met a question, or introduce yourself to someone new.
If you work with a therapist, they may be able to assist you in determining where to start and how to progressively expand your zone of comfort.
2. Keep an eye on how much technology you use.
Technology presents a novel means of interacting with other people, but it also has the potential to exacerbate social anxiety.
Dr. Forti describes the situation as "a sword with two edges."
Because it's so simple to interact with other people through our mobile devices, social anxiety sufferers might rationalize their condition by saying things like, I don't need to change. I don't have to leave the house to see anyone because I have my computer.
Indeed, maintaining social relationships through online platforms is preferable to maintaining none at all. However, you should ask yourself the following question: Do you use technology to avoid engaging with other people? Or do you find that you appreciate it and that it makes your life a little bit better, all while maintaining a healthy balance with face-to-face interactions?
3. Perform a trial run.
It is possible for social anxiety to feel all-consuming at times, and being in strange situations with new people can make this feeling even worse.
Perform a trial run of the routine before the significant event so that at least a portion of it will feel comfortable to you. This will help you feel less overwhelmed.
You may, for instance, rehearse the route to the destination, investigate the coffee shops in the area, or visit the activity venue in advance in order to choose a place where you can escape for a few minutes if you find yourself becoming very concerned.
4. Don't forget to take care of yourself.
Everyone needs to make time for self-care, but people who struggle with anxiety need it even more.
Keep in mind the importance of being nice to yourself, being aware of your limitations, and making an effort to avoid pushing yourself beyond the point where you feel you might break. Get the recommended amount of sleep and consume balanced meals on a regular basis.
Make an effort to drink less alcohol. In order to relax and let their guard down in social settings, it is not uncommon for people to turn to alcohol as a crutch, but in the long run, this only makes the anxious feeling worse.
References
Social anxiety disorder: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. (n.d.). Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176891#what-is-it
Social anxiety (social phobia). (n.d.). NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/social-anxiety/
