Symptoms of Social Anxiety

It’s Friday night, and all your colleagues have decided to go for dinner and drinks. And all you are hoping is that they forget to invite you. Well, you are not alone as there are several others who have no enthusiasm for meeting new people or attend social gatherings or have trouble talking with people.

We are not referring to the usual nervousness people feel when they go on a date or are giving a presentation. We are talking what is popularly known as Social Anxiety Disorder. Read on to know about the social anxiety disorder symptoms.

What is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a mental condition in which the individual lives in constant fear or embarrassment of being judged negatively by others. People with this disorder avoid social situations like parties, social gatherings, interacting with strangers or new people, and going to school or work, which can affect their daily lives and relationships. This type of anxiety disorder can affect anyone. Around 5 % to 10% of people across the world suffer from this disorder, which can be mild, moderate, or extreme.

Social anxiety can be treated with medicines and/or counselling therapy, depending on the person’s condition. While some may require only medication or therapy, others may need a combination of medication and therapy. Home remedies may also help cope with social anxiety.

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety symptoms can be categorised as physical, social, emotional and behavioural.

• Physical symptoms

Social anxiety physical symptoms include blushing, sweating, nausea, shaking or trembling, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, difficulty speaking, and stiff body posture.

• Social symptoms

An individual with social anxiety may avoid social gatherings, interacting with people, going to school or work, eating in front of people, starting a conversation, making eye contact, using a public restroom, etc.

• Emotional and behavioural symptoms

These symptoms include an intense fear of interacting with strangers and fear of being judged. One tends to avoid situations where he/she may be the centre of attraction. A person may also fear doing something that will embarrass or humiliate him/her, avoid doing things or talking to people out of embarrassment or fear, get anxious anticipating an event or activity, fear that others will notice his/her anxiety, etc.