“Jennifer” was an attractive and talented woman who was often sought out by others for fun outings like kayaking, wine tastings, lectures, and running groups. Although she wanted to join in and go on these adventures, she would find excuses like having to work, or finish her household chores. Deep down, Jennifer was trying to protect herself from embarrassment, as being in social situations caused her a lot of anxiety and stress. However, Jennifer also yearned for connection, and began to feel lonely and isolated.
Have you ever felt like Jennifer? The thought of being with new people, or even friends, causes your heart rate to increase, your armpits to sweat, and your mind to race of all of the ways that it could end poorly? If you feel this way, you may struggle with social anxiety. The good news is that therapy can help you understand some of the reasons you are anxious about social situations, and offer proven coping strategies for how to face these situations with calm and joy rather than stress and overwhelm.
While it is normal to feel nervous in some social situations, people who experience frequent social anxiety tend to avoid everyday interactions that could cause them fear, anxiety, self-consciousness, and embarrassment. This often stems from fear of being scrutinized or judged by others. In a more extreme form, it could indicate that the person is suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder.
People with Social Anxiety Disorder often experience significant distress, even to the point of increased heart rate, tense muscles, profuse perspiration, and dry mouth in the following situations:
- Being teased or criticized
- Being the center of attention
- Being watched or observed while completing a task
- Having to say something in a formal, public setting
- Meeting people in authority, such as important people or authority figures
- Being evaluated by a supervisor
Social anxiety disorder can be a chronic mental health condition. Learning coping skills in therapy sessions can help you gain the confidence you need to improve your ability to interact with others. A therapist can walk you through which situations bring up the most anxiety and teach you how to replace fear-based self-talk with positive self-talk. Going into social interactions with a plan and coping strategies can make all the difference.
After Jennifer started therapy, she was able to discover that her social anxiety stemmed from a humiliating event she experienced during childhood. Once she was able to process this event, she was able to face how it affected her ability to build close relationships and she started to find more joy in her social interactions.
Social anxiety affects children, teens and adults. It affects boys and girls, men and women. It manifests in patterns of avoidance and fear of social situations and people. If you believe you or a loved one are suffering from social anxiety, we encourage you to contact our office today.