It’s perfectly normal to need “me time” from time to time. But if you, like me, suffer from social anxiety disorder, social gatherings can be very difficult.
Luckily I’m not alone. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health show that 12.1% of her in the US population experience social anxiety at some point in her life.
misunderstood disability
Social anxiety disorder, commonly known as social phobia, involves the suggestion of an inherent fear of social situations. For people with social anxiety, it’s not the fear of socializing, it’s the fear of being embarrassed or seen as inferior more than when trying to build a relationship. Maybe, but I (and many others who suffer from social anxiety) tend to crave the sense of belonging that comes with social interaction and intimate relationships, but my fear of rejection is hindered by
In addition to the societal view of social anxiety, those who are struggling may mistakenly assume that it is normal to feel anxious in any situation. Living with social anxiety means accepting that certain scenarios and events cause a great deal of stress and may be best avoided. By identifying the scenarios that make you feel most comfortable and avoiding the ones that make you feel uncomfortable, you can reduce your anxiety symptoms while living a more socially active life.
Identifying Triggers
The first step to living a happy and fulfilling life with social anxiety is to identify the situations that trigger your anxiety response. Once you identify your triggers, you can take steps to avoid or overcome them.
Common Social Anxiety Triggers
meeting new people:
One of the most common triggers for individuals suffering from social anxiety is meeting new people. It’s the fear of the unknown – will they like me? Will they think I’m weird? Or am I ugly?
dating:
Social anxiety can make dating difficult…or, let’s be honest, almost impossible. Meeting a platonic friend can be anxiety-inducing, but the very nature of dating – the one-on-one, the pressure of perfection, the unknown – all amplifies nervous feelings.
attendance
party:
People with social anxiety tend to pause when large groups of people gather, especially if the group is made up of unknown faces. perfect storm for events).
eat
of
front
of
others:
There may be different scenarios for diets that make people with social anxiety more anxious. For example, when dining with friends or family, or when dining alone. Perhaps you seem messy or nervous about how much is on your plate.
use
of
toilet:
Using public restrooms can be very nerve-wracking. Whether or not it’s a common and necessary human experience, you might worry that someone is watching, hearing, and judging you to use the restroom.
The above triggers are common in people with social anxiety disorder, but this is not an exhaustive list. Take the time to identify your triggers, including situations that make you feel anxiety symptoms. People who suffer from social anxiety may experience symptoms at different times and for different reasons, and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
symptoms
Symptoms may appear before, during, or after social events. People with severe social anxiety often have difficulty with even minor social engagements, so their symptoms may feel constant. Common symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:
• rapid heart rate
• nausea
• dizzy
• difficulty breathing
• sweating
• blush
Workaround
There are many ways to treat social anxiety and deal with symptoms. Once you have identified your list of anxiety-inducing activities, a good place to start is by ranking the anxiety level of each event. Once you’re done ranking, the next step is to identify which events you’re comfortable with and which you’re not.Then gradually expose yourself to the situation you wantBe confident until you feel less anxious. Starting with goals lower on your list can help you gain confidence without feeling overwhelmed. The more you practice, the better you feel.
Depending on the degree of social anxiety, professional help may be helpful. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proven to help reduce anxiety by changing the way people think, behave, and react to situations. Many CBT programs and social anxiety therapists also include exposure therapy. Exposure therapy places individuals in anxiety-inducing scenarios, such as walking in the park with toilet paper still stuck to their shoes, or wearing noisy clothing to avoid disappearing into a crowd. aims to change the way the brain responds to stress and teaches you not to be rejected by society just because of an embarrassing situation. Medication may also help people with extreme social anxiety.
Running with a low social battery can exhaust you. But know that you are not alone and there are ways to cope. Exposing yourself to anxiety-inducing activities can be difficult. However, those feelings diminish the more you put yourself out there.
This content was originally published
IBX Insight.
About Colin Latch
I work at Independence Blue Cross as a college co-op specializing in social media, doing an undergraduate degree through the co-op program at Drexel University. I enjoy the creative side of marketing, especially using social media to connect with the public in a fun and engaging way. When he’s not working or taking classes, he enjoys watching the latest blockbuster movies, reading dystopian novels, and playing with his roommate’s cat. My pronouns are “he” and “he”.
