hello tribe! how’s your day going?
once aristotle said “man is by nature a social animal”
all humans have a basic desire for establishing and maintaining interpersonal connections. for people to be psychologically and socially healthy, they require the acceptance, company, and comfort of others.
but we know everyone has experienced the anxious or panicky feeling in a social setting. you may have experienced nervousness while meeting new people or sweaty palms before giving a crucial presentation. not everyone enjoys public speaking or entering a room full of strangers, but most people can manage it.
these scenarios are too stressful for those with social anxiety disorder, often known as social phobia. because you feel so uncomfortable doing things that other people would consider "normal," such as making small conversation and eye contact, you might, for instance, avoid all social interaction. your entire life, not just your social life, could start to fall apart.
it is among the most prevalent mental illnesses. the teenage years, which last from 11 to 19, are when it typically starts. some people with this condition of social anxiety disorder only experience panic in one or two specific situations, such as speaking in front of others or striking up a discussion. some people experience extreme anxiety and fear in any social setting.
everyone who deals with social anxiety fears specific circumstances for a variety of reasons. but generally, it's a crippling fear of being scrutinised or observed by others when in a social setting, blushing, perspiring, or shivering as a result of being ashamed or degraded, having the spotlight on you or unintentionally offending someone.
the disorder of social anxiety is not brought on by a single factor. given that you are more likely to develop social anxiety if a family member does, genetics is probably a factor. the amygdala, the area of your brain that regulates your fear response, may also be involved.
social anxiety could be related to a pattern of abusive treatment, bullying, or teasing. children with dominating or demanding parents and shy children are both more likely to develop into socially nervous adults. a health issue that makes people notice your voice or body may also make you more prone to social anxiety.
living your life is challenging if you have social anxiety disorder. you won't encounter anything that would be regarded as "normal." even yet, you might find it difficult to comprehend how others manage them with such ease.
your personal relationships suffer when you avoid all or most social interactions. it may also result in low self worth and inadequate social skills that don't get better.
if you have bad perceptions about who you are, how other people are, and the world as a whole, eventually your perceptions will come to be your reality. however, it is not necessary to be that way.
what to do if you have social anxiety?
here are some ways for regaining control and stopping your anxiety from taking over you.
- participate in a social skills training programme to increase your self-worth.
- make a list of all of your regrets. write "clean slate" over those by crossing them out or erasing them. go outside and address your regrets from there.
- don't wait till you have overcome your social anxiety to pursue your spirituality. meditation and yoga are beneficial for your social anxiety.
- choose one opportunity in your life that you have passed up, or search for a brand-new opportunity that, if you had the confidence to seize it, may prove to be extremely beneficial to you.
- ask for help. speaking with a therapist, whether in person or online, can assist you in developing coping mechanisms to control your social anxiety.
until next time, live aastey!