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What is Social Anxiety?
Social Anxiety is a term used for people who have fear from certain social settings. The term is usually used to describe introverts as they are known not to participate in social settings. However, anyone can suffer from social anxiety.
Social anxiety isn’t limited to the introverts, studies showcased that even extroverts, social people can suffer from social anxiety.
And this social disorder can affect one’s behavior and affect them negatively in the workplace, or any social setting.
In this post we will explain what is Social anxiety, what are the symptoms and how can you deal with a person who have social Anxiety.
Social Anxiety is the feeling of extreme fear in social settings. People with social anxiety fear meeting new people, have difficulty talking to people and attending social gatherings.
Not to mistake it for shyness, social anxiety is different as it is persistent and involuntary.
Social anxiety can affect a person’s life in the workplace, at school or developing intimate relationships. People with social anxiety aren’t loners by choice. They understand their fear, but they don’t the tools or means to overcome it. Some consider that will suffer from this disorder on the long term.
Social Anxiety Disorder is usually dismissed because people don’t understand it and mix it with being shy.
Many stigmas surround the disorder which furthers discourage the person in seeking help or talk about it.
The stigmas such as “oh he just shy”, “you are such an introvert”, “don’t be this nervous”, “grow up”, marginalize further the person and feels he is an outcast and misunderstood.
We have to understand that social anxiety exists and not treated can affect the person’s life.
The person with disorder won’t be able to work with people, participate in debates during classes or even go out in dates.
P.S. The person with the disorder doesn’t want to be fearful but he can’t help himself feel this way.
Social Anxiety can lead to unemployment, be marginalized in the society, depression and suicidal if not treated
It is essential to determine if you have social anxiety and seek professional help or it remain an obstacle in a person’s life.
The Symptoms of social anxiety disorder are:
1. Dizziness
2. Sweat
3. Shaking
4. Constant overthinking that you will embarrass yourself
5. Avoiding to go out
6. Avoid social interaction in any setting
7. Constant worry of what the other think
If you suffer from these symptoms or know someone who does, please understand that is a disorder that a person can’t control and understanding is the fist phase in the treatment.
Lina is invited to a work party but wants to avoid. Although she wants to attend it, she fears the reaction of her co-workers and what they might think of her.
She doesn’t want to participate in conversation with her coworkers.
Just thinking about it, Lina began to sweat and her body started to shake.
The day after the party, Lina feels like an outcast, like she didn’t belong to the workspace as everyone is participating in a conversation.
Lina should seek counseling for her uncontrolled fear of being amongst people as she can’t work in an environment where she feels like an outcast.
Social Anxiety disorder exists and its not a character trait. More awareness should be raised so that people can feel comfortable in seeking help.
Counsela is certified online counseling platform that specializes in treating anxiety disorders including social anxiety. Register now in our free session Now through our website www.counsela.life