Social Anxiety - It's More Than Shyness
Embolden Psychology is a new, innovative practice lead by Dr. Ronnie Siddique with offices in the DC metro area, Fairfax, and Montgomery County. Dr. Siddique works eclectically to help clients understand their strengths, have a clearer understanding of obstacles that hold them back, and to help promote a sense of satisfaction,... more
I have occasional days where it feels overwhelming just to leave my house. I want to have the quiet solitude of no interactions. This is a microcosm of the life of someone with a social anxiety disorder. Even though I do not suffer from social anxiety, it is the second most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorder. With the average age of onset being the early teenage years, it is a disorder that affects school, work, activities, and social interactions.
Social anxiety disorder is not simply being shy. It is an intense fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in a social or performance situation. Symptoms can cause havoc with daily routines, work performance, social life, and intimate life.
Having social anxiety can be self-perpetuating. For individuals who suffer from it, avoidance of feared situations is common. The fear then becomes even more entrenched when exposure to anxiety-provoking situations is limited. In my work, as part of the therapy process, I frequently meet people in various anxiety-provoking settings.
Important facts to know:
- A broad range of interactions can be fear-provoking. These might include having to return an item to a store, talk to a server at a restaurant, say hello to a neighbor, or place an order in a fast-food drive-through.
- Signs and symptoms experienced by individuals with a social anxiety disorder may include blushing, sweating, racing heartbeat, shaking, avoiding eye contact, or feeling that their mind is going blank.
- Misreading the behavior of others is a common factor. They might think that another person is frowning at them, angry at them if they don’t return a hello in the hallway, or believe they are being stared at.
- Emotional distress may be experienced while being introduced to strangers, being criticized or teased, being the center of attention, having to speak in front of others, job interviews, group projects, meeting authority figures, or in classes or conferences that require social participation.
- “Just face your fears, and they will go away,” does not happen. Therapy includes insight, strategies, practice, exposure, and fine-tuning.
- Medication has been found to be very helpful but is not the only solution. These may include antidepressants, beta-blockers, and anti-anxiety medications.
