What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety is an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in certain situations. It’s different from just being shy. Instead, people with this type of anxiety experience intense fear when interacting with other people, being in public places, or speaking in front of a group. This fear can lead to physical symptoms like sweating, blushing, and nausea. But it can also cause other unseen adverse effects.

Social anxiety can be very hard on teens and young adults, making them feel isolated and keeping them from participating in activities with other people. It can also cause feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Examples

• Fear of talking to strangers: People with social anxiety may feel terrified to talk to new people or make conversation with strangers. This could include meeting people at school, going shopping, or attending job interviews. 

• Fear of being in public: Going out in public can be really scary for someone with social anxiety. This may include avoiding large crowds, school, or even entering stores or restaurants. 
• Fear of being the center of attention: Being in the spotlight or speaking in front of a group can bring huge fear and panic for someone with social anxiety.  
• Fear of being judged: People with social anxiety can be really scared of being judged by others, leading them to avoid any kind of interaction with the outside world.

How To Overcome Social Anxiety

It is possible to manage and even overcome social anxiety. Here are some tips on how to do this: 

• Seek professional help: Talking to a psychologist or psychotherapist can be helpful for someone struggling with social anxiety. They can provide guidance and support to help you cope with anxiety. 

• Identify triggers: It’s important to figure out what triggers your anxiety and fear. Once you know what causes your anxiety, you can come up with ways to cope and reduce its effects. 

• Practice relaxation techniques: Learning relaxation techniques like deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you manage social anxiety and reduce physical symptoms. 

• Challenge negative thoughts: Negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself can be a major trigger for social anxiety. Challenging these negative thoughts and positively reframing them can help to reduce your fear and anxiety. 

• Step out of your comfort zone: It may seem hard at first, but gradually stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with people or activities that make you anxious can help you become more comfortable and confident in social situations. 

• Get support: It’s important to remember that you don’t have to face your anxiety alone. Talking to friends, family, or even a support group can help you to cope with and manage your anxiety. 

Conclusion

Social anxiety can be challenging, but it is possible to manage and even overcome it. As you get older it does get better. If you struggle with being yourself in social situations, remember to seek help and support. Our resources page has great ways that you can help support yourself.

In this motivational video below, BBGTV content creator Paloma Wood Assemian
shares how we can overcome social anxiety by using it as our superpower instead of a weakness. Through her journey, Paloma learned that to successfully navigate social encounters and be her authentic self without fear, she had to take ownership of her story and accept her feelings. By understanding how to use her anxiety as her strength, she was able to learn to love herself and live her life with courage.

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