We all experience varying levels of anxiety in life however, when it persists it can feel quite debilitating. Social anxiety, also known as social phobia is a type of anxiety caused by an overwhelming fear of social situations.
It often starts in teenage years and it may not follow you into adulthood but in some instances it can stay with you. It goes beyond simple shyness or not knowing how to act in groups or social settings, and can feel very overwhelming affecting confidence, relationships, work, school or college life.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety
These will vary between individuals but common symptoms include:
Avoiding social activities or worrying about attending these
Fear of doing something embarrassing and having the feeling that you will do something to embarrass yourself
Worrying about being criticised or judged by others for how you act
Feeling uncertain about what to do, say or how to act around others or in a group
Having physical symptoms of anxiety such as raised heart rate, palpitations or feeling sick
Experiencing panic attacks or feeling like you are on the verge of an attack
Social anxiety can have a big impact on your life, it can lead you to feel isolated, alone and prevent you from doing activities you enjoy. You may feel withdrawn and it can really impact on your mental health leaving you feeling depressed and struggling with your self-esteem and confidence.
Tips for managing Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is quite common and there are lots of things you can do to help alleviate or reduce your symptoms. Firstly, depending on the severity of your symptoms and how much it is impacting your life you may wish to speak to your GP for support and guidance.
Self help tips include breathing exercises, trying meditation or learning relaxation techniques. It can be helpful to understand where your anxiety has come from, what triggers it and noticing your thought patterns to help you feel more in control.
Talking can really help, would you feel comfortable talking with a friend or family member? You may also consider speaking to a professional. Therapy can help you to understand why you think/feel and act the way that you do as well as learning coping techniques and strategies to better manage the symptoms. If this resonates with you and you would like to discuss how counselling could help, please get in touch.