As a high school student, I have seen all types of people at my school. The rowdy, annoying boys who throw food at each other during lunch. The smart students who are studying during lunch. The “typical” high school girls on their phones, gossiping and laughing. These people’s behavior may change from day to day but there is always that one student who sits by themself during lunch, or who hides by the vending machine before the bell rings. I always feel a vague sense of pity or sorrow for these people. It obviously doesn’t make me feel good to see people looking lonely or afraid at high school. These people may not want to talk to anyone, don’t want to be there, or maybe they’re suffering from social anxiety. Social anxiety is not something I will think someone has if they are by themself, or look afraid in social situations. But I think it is very possible that someone we know has it, or someone I have seen in passing has it. The majority of people get nervous on some level to speak in public, and many of us are worried about approaching strangers, or meeting new people. But it is at least possible, or manageable, in our minds. So why is social anxiety so crippling?
Social anxiety refers to when individuals fear social situations and anticipate negative evaluations by others, or fear embarrassment and humiliation in front of a crowd. This fear can lead to being driven to the point of not wanting to interact at all socially, or dreading and becoming extremely anxious at the thought of talking to people.
Some signs of social anxiety:
- Emotional signs:
- Fearing judgement by other people
- Worried you will embarrass yourself
- Intense fear of interacting with strangers
- Avoiding being the center of attention
- Spending significant time analyzing and critiquing the way you acted in a social situation
- Expecting the worst out of every social situation
- Physical signs:
- Blushing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Tight muscles
Ways to get help:
- CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Teaches you alternative ways of thinking, and reacting to social situations in a calmer way
- Support groups
- Medication when prescribed
- Anti-anxiety
- Antidepressants
- Beta- blockers
- Stop adrenaline from affecting you
SOURCE:
Out of My Mind 