There are universally daunting events in anyone’s life. For example, you may be preparing for a first date or a job interview. Either of these experiences can provoke feelings like fear, anxiousness, and self-doubt. Typically, those feelings pass as you settle into the date or interview.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), however, runs deeper than temporary nervousness. It is a serious, diagnosable mental health disorder that can impair your ability to function on a daily basis. For those struggling with social anxiety, the feelings won’t subside as a date or interview progresses. In fact, they will probably worsen.
3 Fundamental Factors to Consider
When contemplating your responses to social interactions, it may boil down to:
Fear
Avoidance
Function
How intense is the fear? For example, are you dreading that job interview for weeks — to the point of losing sleep?
What level of discomfort does your avoidance reach? Everyone skips out on a social event from time to time. However, if you can’t recall the last time you said “yes” to an invitation, you may be socially anxious.
As for social function, is it impaired? SAD can prevent you from earning money, making friends, finding romance, or simply getting daily tasks done.
6 Signs You May Be Struggling with Social Anxiety
1. Physical and Emotional Symptoms
Think of a time when you felt nervous as you anticipated a situation. What symptoms did you experience? If you’re struggling with SAD, this list may sound familiar: sweaty palms, muscle tension, shaky voice, stomach problems, sleep disturbances, loss of focus and concentration, blushing, dizziness, elevated heart rate, a relentless state of worry, and more.
2. People Call You “Quirky”
Habits and rituals can be very self-soothing for those dealing with SAD. The view from outside, however, may sometimes make you appear unusual to others — to say the least. Listen carefully to those who love you to better grasp what they may be seeing and not understanding. Are you unconsciously soothing yourself from the impact of SAD?
3. Taking Subtle Steps to Avoid Social Interactions
Without even realizing it, you may have created a covert form of self-defence. For example, you may always and automatically choose the self-checkout at the supermarket. If so, is it a practical choice related to time management or are you actively avoiding a personal interaction with a cashier? Keep a journal to monitor your daily choices.
4. Replaying Conversations and Events Over and Over
We all mess-up at times and we all have regrets. With SAD, you find yourself ruminating over most or all of your interactions. This leads to feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment.
5. Obsessing Over Worst-Case Scenarios
Sometimes, we might get invited to a party and expect it to be dull or too loud. SAD leads us to preemptively imagine every possible negative outcome — to the extreme. In turn, this obsession with worst-case scenarios makes us feel more justified in declining invitations.
6. You Have Trouble Maintaining Friendships and Relationships
Friends, family, and lovers expect to interact with us directly. SAD implores us to keep such interactions to the bare minimum.
Now, For Some Good News!
Social Anxiety Disorder can be treated, managed, and overcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, it may be recommended that you try medication. Most likely, however, therapy will be the initial course of action. Committing to weekly sessions will have the immediate result of giving you a chance to practice following through with plans. One-on-one with your counsellor, you can then recognize patterns, identify triggers, and cultivate new approaches. All of this is done in a way that respects your current perceptions but guides you into spending more time outside your comfort zone. I’m here to help you cope and thrive in social situations. Please reach out soon for a consultation.