Social Anxiety - Are You Experiencing It?

Anxiety, also known as worry, can occur in a variety of situations and can affect individuals differently. Social anxiety, the most common form of anxiety, is the fear of being negatively judged by others in social settings. It affects approximately 26% of women and 19% of men.

Is Social Anxiety the same as Shyness?

Social anxiety is sometimes mistaken for shyness, but they are distinct experiences. Shyness is a discomfort or unease in social situations, which may diminish as you become more familiar or comfortable with others and the situation. Social anxiety, however, is a persistent worry or discomfort in social situations that is not limited to specific types of interactions and can persist for a longer period of time.

Are You Experiencing Social Anxiety?

To determine if you may be experiencing social anxiety, you may find it helpful to consider the following questions:

Do you frequently worry about being judged by others?
Do you experience anxiety about the possibility of embarrassing yourself in social situations?
Do you view yourself as incompetent?
Do you often feel lonely and uncertain about how to socialize?
Do you experience physical symptoms, such as trembling, sweating, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or an increased heart rate, when thinking about or interacting with others?
Do you prefer to avoid tasks at work that involve teamwork or being in a group?

If you answered yes to three or more of the above questions, you may be experiencing social anxiety. This type of anxiety can hinder your personal and professional goals and negatively impact various aspects of your life, including job performance, personal relationships, physical health, and immunity.

If you are struggling with social anxiety, you may feel drained and defeated by the inability to overcome it despite trying various approaches. Counseling or psychotherapy can provide a supportive environment to address your concerns, learn effective strategies for managing worry, and develop coping skills for social situations.