Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is a chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety and fear. Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the teenage years, though it can sometimes start in younger children or in adults.
If we consider the statistics, according to the National Institute of Mental Health social anxiety is more common among women than men, and approximately 12.1% of U.S. adults experience a social anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. That means that 12 adults in every hundred, struggle with social anxiety, and these numbers are growing every year.
So how can you tell if you’ve got social anxiety? Some of the symptoms are:
- avoiding social situations
- cancelling plans abruptly
- immense guilt when you cancel plans
- needing alcohol to face social situations
- feeling like you can’t participate
- dreading social situations
- dreading being outside your safe space (home)
- missing school or work due to anxiety
- worrying about perceptions of you
- overthinking things to say or do
- blushing or reddened face
- excessive sweating
- fast heartbeat when in social situations
- talking to strangers
- going on dates
- meeting new people
- making phone calls
- making eye contact
- using public restrooms
- isolating yourself
- dizziness in public
- muscle tension or twitches when social
- stomach trouble when social
- dry mouth or throat
At one time or another I’ve experienced many of these. Why? I believe it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors at play.
The good news is that social anxiety responds very well to medication management; at least for me it has.
If you experience these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, do yourself a favor and seek therapy. No one should have to suffer when there are treatments available to at least alleviate some of the symptoms.
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