Social Anxiety: How to Overcome Social Phobia

In psychiatry, social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition where people have difficulty being in front of others in group settings. Social anxiety is a social phobia, an intense fear that can lead to quickened heart rate, sweaty palms, and even panic attacks. Social anxiety can manifest at different stages of one's life—as children, adolescents, and adults. Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health found that social anxiety affects about twelve percent of adults in the United States.

Social anxiety can complicate daily life. People with social anxiety may avoid situations because stress can have emotional and physical effects. Social anxiety can lead to more profound panic disorders and negative thoughts, but fortunately, you can treat it with various forms of therapy.

Distinguishing a social disorder from shyness may prove challenging. Those with social anxiety are likely to be shy, but not all who are shy have social anxiety. Shyness may tie to introversion, though it can also stand alone as a personality trait. Some people may be shy while still having competent social skills. Shy people may be comfortable in social settings but rather listen than engage.

However, shy people can also experience social anxiety: They may not feel confident in social situations because of low self-esteem, negative experiences while socializing, or other reasons. Shy people and those with social anxiety may stick to familiar settings with family members or loved ones to feel safe.

A few emotional and physical causes can trigger social anxiety, including:

1. 1. Environmental factors: Overprotective parents, a lack of nearness to people your age, and even genetics can all contribute to stress about socializing.
2. 2. Limited interactions: If parents raise children in social isolation, it may hamper their social ability and make them feel more anxious because it is an unfamiliar situation.
3. 3. Poor experiences: Bad memories of being the target of a joke or feeling small during socialization can deter a person from engaging in future social interactions.

Social anxiety can have unfortunate side effects. Those suffering from it may have difficulty making friends, especially in new settings. Social anxiety can sometimes manifest physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, nausea, and sweating. Social anxiety can make people feel more self-conscious in group environments, diminishing their sense of self and confidence. These feelings can have more significant implications, such as difficulty while interviewing for jobs, trying out new activities, or going on dates with prospective romantic partners.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder may include:

1. 1. Blushing: Those with social anxiety may experience flushing of the cheeks and reddening of other parts of the body as a symptom of general discomfort.
2. 2. Self-doubt: If you are a socially anxious person, you may sense self-doubt creep up during social interactions because you feel unworthy of others’ company. Surround yourself with people who value you to combat those destructive feelings.
3. 3. Trembling: Shaking is another physical manifestation of social anxiety; hands, feet, knees, and other body parts may gently quake to signal unease.
4. 4. Upset stomach: People with social anxiety can get nauseous during socialization.

There are a few treatment options people use to overcome their social anxiety. You can:

• Engage in small social interactions. Start small and socialize with little groups of familiar people before gradually raising the stakes by mingling with others you know and others you don’t. Socializing is a muscle you can exercise.
• Look for a support group. Group therapy led by health care professionals can alleviate social anxiety symptoms and provide participants with the techniques needed to overcome their fear of social situations in a safe space. Together, people may engage in small talk to raise low self-esteem and try out public speaking in a nurturing environment.
• Seek professional help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychosocial intervention in which mental health professionals work with patients and give them techniques to combat self-blame. Therapists also might prescribe medication such as antidepressants.

Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a MasterClass Annual Membership and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.