Social anxiety can make everyday interactions feel as though you’re being watched, evaluated, or at risk of doing something embarrassing. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, appearing anxious, being rejected, or what other people will think of you.
This fear can show up when starting conversations, meeting new people, speaking in front of others, eating around people, attending social events, or participating at work or school. You might avoid these situations, stay quiet, rehearse what you’re going to say, closely monitor how you’re coming across, or replay interactions afterward looking for something you did wrong.
These strategies may help you feel safer in the moment, but over time they can make your world smaller and interfere with relationships, work, school, and experiences you want to have.
Therapy can help you gradually approach social situations, become less caught up in how you might be perceived, and participate more fully even when some anxiety or uncertainty is present.
Social Anxiety
Symptoms
Fear
Overwhelming or out of control concern about social events due to fear of doing something wrong, embarrassing, or offending someone.
Physical Symptoms
Blushing, sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, nausea, or feeling lightheaded.
Avoidance
Avoiding or enduring social situations with intense fear or anxiety, or enduring them with intense distress.
Anticipatory Anxiety
Feeling anxious or distressed in anticipation of a social event, often leading to significant worry and stress beforehand.
Negative Self-Evaluation
Exhausting worry about being judged, negatively evaluated, or embarrassing oneself in social situations. This often leads to a negative self-view.