I was at my school’s freshman dance about a month ago. I was on the side of a massive dance mob with my friends. Then a person in my grade tried to get me into the dance circle. My mind went blank. The next thing I knew, I sprinted off the dance floor. When I got home, I discussed the incident with my mom. She said while extreme, it was expected because I most likely have social anxiety.
What is social anxiety?
Social anxiety is the fear of being judged by others or your peers. It can make people self-conscious about everyday situations and cause people to avoid them. Social anxiety disorder can be confused for normal anxiety, which is the fear of what might happen soon or in the future. Social anxiety disorder is an overwhelming fear of social humiliation and avoidance of social situations. People with a social anxiety disorder may feel embarrassed when talking to new people or doing things in public that are not considered standard. I personally have a mild social anxiety disorder.
Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the symptoms of social anxiety disorder are:
- Blushing
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Rapid heart rate
- Feeling sick to your stomach
- Feeling your mind going blank
- Having a rigid body posture
- Speaking with an overly soft voice
- Finding it difficult to make eye contact
- Difficulty being around people you don’t know
- Not talking to people in social situations, even when you want to
- Feeling self-consciousness or fearing that people will judge you negatively
- Avoiding places where there are other people.
In my case, I used to be outgoing and did not mind my actions. But recently, I have started to be more careful of my actions. If you compared my beginning of the year self to my new self, I seem quieter and less outgoing around people I do not know. Around people I don’t know, I feel the urge to strike up a conversation, but I do not want to because I feel like I may be ignored and thought of as weird.
How many people have a social anxiety disorder?
12.1% of adults in the US will have a social anxiety disorder at some point, and 9.1% of teens have social anxiety. Most people with cases of social anxiety are ages 18-29, with the lowest numbers in people 60+ years old.
Consequences of Social Anxiety
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, people with social anxiety have an increased risk of:
- Alcoholism
- Suicide
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Low self-esteem
- Grade drops
- Drug misuse
Treatment and Help
There are many things people can do if they have social anxiety or shyness. They can see a therapist to help them get to the root of their problem. People with severe social anxiety can try psychotherapy, including CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). CBT is training that helps people have better reactions in social interactions. Music helps calm me down and has helped with my social interactions. Also, learning that I do not need to be friends with every person I meet has made me more confident about myself. Also, being busy keeps your mind off your social interactions and, in turn, decreases the amount of self-doubt and stress. You could also talk to a guidance counselor at the guidance office for help.
Regarding its potential effects on anxiety, some individuals have reported that certain strains of kratom can provide relaxation and relief from anxiety symptoms. This is because Kratom Earth Canada can have a sedative and calming effect, which might help to alleviate feelings of anxiety in some cases.
If you are considering using kratom for anxiety, it’s highly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before doing so. They can provide personalized guidance based on your health history and current condition. Additionally, staying informed about the legal status of kratom in your region is important, as it is regulated differently in various countries and jurisdictions.
While social anxiety is not likely to go away as humans are social creatures, knowing that you are most likely not alone in this world helps a lot. Everybody has some form of social anxiety or shyness, some more than others.
Most information in this article was from the National Institute of Mental Health and Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Visit their websites for more information.
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