By Renae Miller, MS MFT, LCPC, Agape Counseling, Ltd.
Ever have that feeling where you feel like your stomach is buzzing with butterflies when you find out you have to speak in front of others? Lots of people experience social anxiety from time to time — the feeling is normal, particularly in situations that are new, unfamiliar, or unexpected. Social anxiety can be triggered by a memory of a previous experience that was difficult, painful, or traumatic in some way. Social anxiety is distinguished from other types of anxiety by the fact that it focuses on the perceived feeling that other people are being critical or judging, whether or not that is actually the case.
People tend to experience social anxiety in three ways:
- anxious physical sensations,
- anxious thoughts, and
- anxious behaviors.
The physical sensations in anxiety are somewhat similar to panic symptoms and include shortness of breath or a tightening in the throat, increased heart rate, feeling hot or sweaty, nausea, and shaking or tremors. There is often an urge to leave the situation immediately. Anxious thoughts are ideas that come to mind automatically, without any prompting that could sound like, “Everyone will think I’m stupid,” “I’m going to say the wrong thing,” or “I can’t talk to these people.” Anxious behaviors are observable actions that others might notice about us like avoiding or leaving social situations, very limited eye contact, apologizing excessively, or seeking reassurance from others.
So how does one know the difference between every day social anxiety and the kind that needs to be treated? Everyone has some anxious physical sensations, anxious thoughts, and anxious behaviors from time to time. The answer is found in how much the feelings of social anxiety interferes with a person’s life. If you wonder about whether or not you experience social anxiety disorder, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I limit what I do for fun to avoid social situations? (movies, parties, crowds, concerts, etc.)
- Am I terrified of having to talk to people?
- Are my relationships unsatisfying because I am afraid to share with people who I am? Do I have panic attacks when forced to interact socially?
- Are my job or my job potential possibilities affected by what I feel comfortable doing socially?
Answering yes to some of these questions indicates that the social anxiety is beginning to interfere in a person’s life too much and it is time for treatment. If you do, you are not alone. A study in 2005 found that twelve percent of the general public experiences social anxiety to a diagnosable degree in their life at some point (Kessler, Berglund, Demler, Jin, & Walters, 2005).
The good news is that social anxiety disorder is highly treatable and involves a combination of individual cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, medications, or a combination of those.
For one route to help and healing, please call Agape Counseling Ltd., 309-692-4433. About the Author: Renae Miller, MS MFT, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor who specializes in treating anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. She enjoys helping clients find relief from the anxiety that paralyzes them.
Photo credit: George Clerk/iStock