What Is Social Anxiety?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What triggers social anxiety?

While the specific causes behind the development of social anxiety are not fully understood, it’s relatively safe to conclude that it usually is the result of either genetic factors, environmental factors, or a combination of the two.

Social anxiety is a serious mental health issue that, if left untreated, can significantly impact someone’s quality of life. People with social anxiety may struggle with tasks that are largely unavoidable (making eye contact, giving a speech, etc.) and, as a result, take extensive efforts to avoid them. The fear of being judged or receiving criticism from others can be so strong that it prevents an individual from maintaining healthy relationships or meeting new people. This could potentially lead to isolation, which is quite dangerous for people of any age. 

Social anxiety disorder can also cause physical symptoms that are both unpleasant and intrusive. Physical symptoms might include shortness of breath, a racing heart, feelings of dread or constant fear, and more. 

As with any mental health issue, it’s important that individuals with social anxiety disorder get the awareness and the treatment that they need. By being more understanding and making an effort to learn what it’s like to live with social anxiety, we can better support others in our lives.

How do you know you have social anxiety?

Mental health issues can often overlap and share similar symptoms, so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what you may be experiencing. Social anxiety can sometimes look like a number of other mental illnesses, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety and depression. mental health disorder symptoms 

Still, even if you strongly suspect that you have a social anxiety disorder, self-diagnosis is not sufficient. 

Mental health disorder symptoms can come on suddenly and be alarming, and it’s natural to want to understand what’s going on in your mind if you’re experiencing them. Nonetheless, it’s always crucial to speak with a mental health professional if you believe you may be dealing with a mental illness.

With that said, there is still a lot of value in being familiar with some of the mental and physical symptoms of social anxiety.  A lot of people with social anxiety report an intense fear of being judged, confronted, or criticized by others. 

If you find that social situations - meeting a new person, going to a job interview, attending a party, etc. - cause you a great deal of distress, especially on a regular basis, you may be experiencing symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Be sure to read more about some of the specific things to look out for in terms of symptoms in our guide above.

What does social anxiety mean?

Social anxiety disorder, also called social anxiety, is a mental health condition in which an individual feels a great deal of fear and anxiety before, during, or after social situations. They may feel fear and anxiety over being in situations that are unfamiliar to them, have a hard time being in crowded spaces, or experience an intense fear of being judged.

Describing social anxiety disorder simply as a fear of social situations doesn’t quite accurately represent what it can be like to have this disorder. Social anxiety can impact existing relationships with people you know well - the main root of the issue, for many, is worrying about judgement, humiliation, or shame as the result of social interaction.

Mental health disorder symptoms can often be misunderstood or misconstrued as something else, even another mental illness. In fact, clinical trials suggest that many of the early signs of social anxiety disorder in children are dismissed as shyness  or selective mutism. 

It’s important to be aware of the fact that social anxiety goes beyond what can be considered normal or healthy. Social anxiety can be debilitating and completely influence the way one lives their life.

How do I overcome social anxiety?

Overcoming social anxiety is no easy task for anyone, but the longer you’ve dealt with it, the bigger the change might feel. If you feel like you’ve been dealing with the signs and symptoms of social anxiety, or have been diagnosed with the disorder, there are plenty of ways to help combat them.

Mental health care should be a definite priority if you suspect you may be dealing with social anxiety. Speaking with a doctor or other professional is a key first step; you may need to be referred to a mental health specialist.

A great tool for overcoming anxiety beyond the typical therapy approach is to attend support groups. A major obstacle for those with anxiety, especially social anxiety, is finding others who can genuinely relate to their struggles. A support group is a great way to begin breaking down the barriers social anxiety creates in a safe, controlled manner.

What is the best cure for social anxiety?

Many mental health issues don’t necessarily have a true cure, and social anxiety is one of them. It’s unfortunate that there is no guaranteed, definite way to rid oneself of a mental health issue, but it is possible to treat them.

In fact, adequate treatment can make you feel in control of not just your mental illness, but your emotions and path in life in general. 

If you’re experiencing the signs and symptoms of social anxiety, the step you take should always be to speak with a healthcare professional. With the advice diagnosis or treatment of a professional, you’re able to receive the resources and care that you need. 

The best way to treat social anxiety is sometimes through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatment options. Other efforts, like visiting support groups, practicing mindfulness, etc., can help speed up the process and strengthen your support system.

Can you self diagnose social anxiety?

When it comes to mental health issues, self-diagnosis is never a good option. It isn’t harmful to take notice of and work to understand symptoms that you might be experiencing, but ultimately a diagnosis should only come from a licensed professional.

Part of the reason it’s not a great idea to self-diagnose is the simple fact that mental disorder symptoms tend to overlap. What an individual may perceive as social anxiety might in reality be something completely different. 

For instance, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder may share symptoms, but the way that a therapist approaches treatment may differ based on an official diagnosis. 

The medical advice and expertise of a professional can’t be replaced by self-diagnosis.

It’s also important to remember that fear and anxiety are natural parts of life that everyone experiences to some degree. When fear and anxiety are present frequently and begin to interfere with one’s daily life, then it’s more likely that an anxiety disorder that requires treatment may be to blame.

What happens if social anxiety is left untreated?

If mental health issues, including social anxiety disorder, are left untreated, it’s likely that symptoms will continue to worsen. It’s also possible that other mental health or personal issues, like substance abuse, generalized anxiety and depression, may develop.

It’s important to take mental disorder symptoms seriously. There is, unfortunately, still some stigma surrounding mental health issues, and it can be hard to admit that you’re struggling if you have a hard time being open with others. Still, it’s absolutely necessary to take action to fight the signs of social anxiety if you’re experiencing them. 

Research show that people with social anxiety make up a little over 7% of adults in the U.S., so it’s more common than you may have anticipated. If you’re dealing with social anxiety, no matter how it may seem, you truly are not alone. Help and support are out there for those who need it.

How do you talk to someone with social anxiety?

If someone in your life is dealing with social anxiety disorder also called social anxiety, it can be difficult to know how to genuinely and helpfully offer your sympathy and support. People with social anxiety might have a harder time having opening conversational exchanges, especially about emotions or their anxiety, so it’s always a good idea to be patient and resist pressuring someone into discussing the topic.

An important part of being a good ally to people with social anxiety is to understand it.  Mental health issues are uncontrollable, and they may not seem reasonable or logical to the outside mind. Still, the symptoms of social anxiety feel very real and drastic to those who experience them.

Talking to someone with social anxiety, especially if new people are involved, should always be non-confrontational and free of judgement. It can be hard to understand the amount of worry an individual feels over what may seem like basic interaction or conversation, but the more you learn, the better you will be able to respond.

If you’re looking for good resources to help you better understand social anxiety and be a good anti anxiety ally, the National Institute of Mental Health has great tools. With the information provided by the National Institute of Mental Health or other informational material under your belt, you’ll be far more prepared to handle symptoms of anxiety and support others in the moments when they need it most.

Can you treat anxiety without medication?

It is possible to treat mental health issues without the assistance of medication, and this may be the preferred option for those already taking other medications or those who, for one reason or another, are unable to take medication.

Both anxiety and depression are very common mental illnesses, and there are lots of resources available to those who are managing them.

Does social anxiety go away with age?

Social anxiety may lessen as time goes on and an individual becomes more familiar with and comfortable in social situations or meeting new people, but that doesn’t mean it’s truly gone away.

Most chronic mental health issues don’t simply disappear on their own. They often become so embedded into our line of thought and routines that it can feel quite literally life-changing to try and tackle them.

Research suggests that social phobias aren’t all that uncommon, but it’s likely that there are individuals living their lives without realizing they have a social anxiety disorder. Many of the telltale signs of this disorder can be brushed off as introversion or quietness, but they can still make it hard to progress and do the things you’d like to do in life.

Thats why, even if the symptoms of a social phobia start to get better, you deserve to receive treatment for your social anxiety disorder. Don’t leave your quality of life up for debate.

Who do you go to for social anxiety?

When it comes to receiving medical advice and health care for mental health issues, a therapist or a licensed medical professional is the way to go.

Whether you have generalized anxiety social anxiety or any other mental illness, these two factors combined are usually the recommended treatment option. Receiving a diagnosis or treatment from a professional is an extremely important part of recovering from and battling any mental illness.

How do you tell your parents you have social anxiety? 

It can be hard to talk to family about the signs and symptoms of a mental health issue, especially if you have a hard time understanding it yourself.

If you’re experiencing what seems to be a social phobia or social anxiety, it may be helpful to provide your parents with some information (see link to the National Institute of Mental Health above) to help them better understand what you’re going through.

It’s also a good idea to facilitate an honest, open and thoughtful discussion about what you’re been experiencing. Mental health issues can cause symptoms that can be confusing or frustrating to others, but helping them understand your actions are the result of things out of your control may be helpful.

Another great tool from the National Institute of Mental Health is their list of brochures made specifically to share some of the most important information about a variety of mental illnesses. These tools are great to share with your parents, loved ones, or friends as you deal with the symptoms of social anxiety.