Do you always feel self-conscious, shy or embarrassed when you are in a social place where you have to interact with other people?
Find out what you should know about extreme social anxiety and how to deal with it.
What You Should Know About Extreme Social Anxiety
Do you have a passion for something, yet you cannot chase it because you are afraid of being around people? Or maybe you just avoid talking when you are in a crowd because you feel like you may say something wrong. Well, if these apply to you, then you may be suffering from extreme social anxiety.
Social Anxiety Definition
– A person is said to have social anxiety if their level of shyness, when exposed to the social environment, is extremely high. This shyness affects several aspects of their life, and in extreme cases, they may choose to live in isolation and avoid popular places altogether.
Some of the physical symptoms associated with severe social anxiety include:
*Increased heartbeat.
*Stomach upset or rumbling stomach
*Shivers
*Sweating
*Tension headache
*Loss of breath
*Dizziness
Some people may experience a series of these symptoms concurrently, especially when they are in a social situation that causes them a lot of tension.
Cause of Social Anxiety:
There are many theories explaining why people develop social anxiety. Some of them include:
1. Past experiences: Research studies indicate that individuals who were humiliated in a social environment are likely to develop social anxiety.
This happens because their mind always replays the situation, and it makes them want to avoid being in a social place. For some, it may not necessarily be a past humiliation. It could be a traumatic event that they regard as shameful or humiliating, such that they fear to be around people to shield themselves from the risk of others finding out.
2. Biological factors: If your parents or close family members suffer from extreme or even mild anxiety, chances of you having it increase. Genetics are said to play a role when it comes to behavior during social interaction.
3. Low self-esteem: For some people, their self-worth is so low that they imagine everyone else views them as worthless. This low self-esteem makes them feel very uncomfortable whenever they are in a social setting.
How To Control Social Anxiety
You can overcome your social anxiety if you put your mind and energy towards it. Remember that you are in control, and it is never too late to turn things around. Some of the methods that work are:
– Taking control of your thoughts:
You probably have extreme social anxiety because you tend to have negative feelings regarding the people around, and how they view you. Take a moment and think logically.
Do you think that all the people around you are watching you and waiting for you to mess up so that they laugh at you?
The answer is NO! It is all in your head.
Change how you think, and stop worrying so much about what others think of you. Just have fun, and train your mind to think about positive things.
– Don’t focus on yourself when you are in a social setting:
If you have been focusing on yourself and thinking about your anxiety, then things are likely to get worse. Focus on other aspects.
If you went to eat in a hotel, focus on how delicious the food is, or how good the service is. If you start focusing on how you have begun sweating, or how the couple next to you is throwing glances at you, your anxiety will increase.
– Work with a specialist:
If you develop extreme anxiety that seems to get worse with each passing day, then it is time to see a therapist. Seeking professional help will help you establish the cause of your anxiety, and recommend further medical procedures that may help you lead a normal life. What you should know about extreme social anxiety now should assist you in dealing with the problem.
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
