The word "Social Anxiety" itself causes anxiety to some extent. Humans are ironically considered the greatest social beings who are in need of constant social interactions and validations but do you know there's a large section of us who feel threatened just by imagining too many people around us? Yes, we exist.
Sweaty palms, faster heart beat, hesitation to pick phone calls from unknown numbers, feeling restless or constantly overthinking on the thought of attending a social gathering, etc. All of this falls under the category of social anxiety and social phobia.
Let's try and understand this monster which keeps poking even if we try to gather ourselves-
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? Where Does It Come From?Social Anxiety Disorder is defined as a phobia of being in social surroundings due to an overwhelming fear of being judged, bullied, provoked, or laughed at.
Some of these emotions stem from previous traumatic experiences or incidents which we don't talk about quite often. Complexities of emotions and conflicts with the self trigger our anxiety to a large extent. It is continuous fear and hesitation that can hamper daily chores and tasks.
Let us deep dive into the roots of Social Anxiety-
Believe it or not, as much as external factors influence an individual to be socially anxious, their genetic or personality traits can make it even more evident.
The feeling of being alone or awkward even in a room full of people is a great explanation for people who have difficulty in addressing this disorder.
The effects of this disorder could be profound but it is curable if diagnosed and treated early into the symptoms. If you have a friend who you think has been fighting this disorder, check for the following signs and advise therapy immediately:
Evident Social Anxiety Symptoms
- Avoiding social gatherings and crowds
- Hesitant to speak on calls or ignoring them
- Immense fear of judgement
- Rapid heart rate with sweaty palms
- Difficulty in maintaining eye contact in conversations
- Feeling conscious about one's appearance, voice and conduct
- Overthinking and Over analysing conversations
Did you relate to these signs or know someone who has experienced them? Please reach out to a mental health professional or connect with Heart It Out immediately.
“" Your anxiety does not define you. You are not your fears. You are the courage that confronts them. " ” -
Now that we have a gist of what exactly and how it affects us, we must look into the other side which is the ray of light that can cure us and help us in becoming the best versions of ourselves. As you read the above mentioned quote, you must know that this is not what you comprise of. You are wise, strong, courageous, resilient, loved and accepted just the way you are.
Tips for Feeling Comfortable in Social Circumstances
- Put yourself in situations where you won't feel drained or adversely negative.
- Take a deep breath every time you gather yourself to face situations. Remind yourself of your strengths and positivity.
- Try to actively engage in conversations where the other person is conversing. This helps in being less self-conscious.
- Look for shared or common interests with people. It helps in easing the tension which you might have accumulated.
- Try to avoid engaging in conversations promoting negative thoughts and feelings. Be mindful of who you spend time with.
- Take regular breaks whenever necessary. Have a self-care routine and engage in hobbies that you love.
- Celebrate every milestone no matter how big or small.
With a hope that this article finds you in good health, positivity and a greater understanding of yourself, I would like to encourage you to reach out to us if you've been facing anything lately. We are here to help you in a click.
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