Do You Have Social Anxiety?

We all experience anxiety sometimes. It’s our body’s way of dealing with something we perceive as a threat to our safety and comfort. Anxiety can arise before a presentation at school, on our first day of work, and in many other situations. We may fear if we don’t succeed in the presentation we won’t get a good grade, or if our first day of work doesn’t go well others will think we’re incompetent. We have all been there at some point or another. But what makes social anxiety stand out from normal worries?

Social Anxiety Disorder involves a constant fear of being watched or judged by others in social settings. It often happens in nerve-racking situations like going on a first date, engaging in public speaking, or even meeting up with an old friend. You might be wondering, where does social anxiety come from? Well, it is a natural human quality to want to fit in and feel accepted. We want to feel like we belong in a group and are adequate. When we are in situations where that is being tested or threatened, the desire for safety and comfort causes us to become anxious.

As established earlier, everyone experiences social anxiety at some point or another. But this persistent fear of being judged interferes with our daily functioning and flow of activities. Many people struggle with social anxiety disorder, approximately 6.8% of the U.S. population. If you think you have social anxiety disorder, you are not alone.

Feelings & Behaviours That Accompany SAD:

Are you constantly worrying about embarrassing yourself and what others would think of you? This is a common feeling that comes with SAD. When we are constantly fearing that others will judge us and are thinking that we are inferior, it can cause us to become severely anxious. It can even cause physical symptoms like rapid heart rate, shaking, blushing, and trouble breathing. These unwanted feelings are extremely uncomfortable and can disrupt our daily flow. Social anxiety can also make us feel very self-conscious in every way. If we feel we are being judged and viewed negatively, of course, we’ll feel uncomfortable and self-conscious as a result. It can even make us want to avoid social interaction because we don’t want to feel this way.

What does Therapy For SAD look like?

The most common form of therapy used for SAD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The goal of CBT is to tackle the negative thoughts that accompany social anxiety. Our thoughts influence how we act and how we see ourselves. If we learn to manage the negative thoughts, we can positively impact our behaviour in social situations. CBT also consists of practicing exposing ourselves to social interactions step-by-step and then reflecting on the results of the situation.

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