What are the symptoms of social anxiety?

Question

I really think I have this, but everyone tells me it's all in my head or to get over it, or i'll "grow out of it".

Answer 1

I can assure you that anxiety is not something that is in your head or that you will outgrow and it is not just a phase. I have been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for nearly 9 years. Some symptoms are feeling anxious and nervous, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint or dizzy, hot or cold flashes, shaking, clammy hands, feeling like you want to get out of the sitsuation, fear of being in public places or around large groups of people

Answer 2

Symptoms

People with social anxiety disorder usually experience significant emotional distress in the following situations:

* Being introduced to other people
* Being teased or criticized
* Being the center of attention
* Being watched while doing something
* Meeting people in authority ("important people")
* Most social encounters, especially with strangers
* Going around the room (or table) in a circle and having to say something
* Interpersonal relationships, whether friendships or romantic

This list is certainly not a complete list of symptoms -- other feelings have been associated with social anxiety as well.

The physiological manifestations that accompany social anxiety may include intense fear, racing heart, turning red or blushing, excessive sweating, dry throat and mouth, trembling, swallowing with difficulty, and muscle twitches, particularly about the face and neck.

Constant, intense anxiety that does not go away is the most common feature.

People with social anxiety disorder know that their anxiety is irrational and does not make "head" (i.e., cognitive) sense. Nevertheless, "knowing" something is not the same thing as "believing" and "feeling" something.

Thus, for people with social anxiety, thoughts and feelings of anxiety persist and show no signs of going away -- despite the fact that socially-anxious people "face their fears" every day of their lives.

Only the appropriate therapy works to alleviate social anxiety disorder, the largest anxiety disorder, and the one that few people know anything about.

Answer 3

Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

There is hope; I've been there, and still am there, it is a long, hard struggle. I recommend
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me, with mild anti-anxiety meds. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

I recommend a mild anti-anxiety med in addition to CBT therapy.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!


Another great website: http://www.markway.com/acceptance/menu.h...

Answer 4

You avoid crowds, hate to go to social functions for fear of making yourself look conspicuous, you're shy and stand in the background, do not take part in group conversations, and find it hard to talk to more than one person at a time. If you experience any of these symptoms, you probably do have social anxiety. It is partly psychological, and due to low self-esteem. You need to develop your self-confidence to the degree that you feel comfortable among strangers. Counseling may help, and maybe a course in public speaking. In a crowd, seek out a person who is by him or herself and strike up a conversation. Pretend like you're the life of the party, even though you may be shaking inside. No one will know that it's pretense, and will probably envy your social skills. Believe it or not, most people are just as shy and self-conscious as you are, but they put on an act so no one will know their true feelings. You can do the same -- and who knows -- You may just end up enjoying yourself and being the real life of the party. Good luck! I'm betting on you!

Answer 5

Signs and symptoms
Social anxiety disorder, sometimes called social phobia, isn't the same as shyness or stage fright. In fact, it's perfectly reasonable to be anxious in some situations.

What sets social anxiety disorder apart from everyday nervousness is the severity and persistence of its signs and symptoms. Social anxiety disorder can have both emotional and physical signs and symptoms.

Emotional signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:

Intense fear of situations in which you don't know people
Fear of situations in which you may be judged
Anxiety about being embarrassed or humiliated
Fear that others will notice you showing physical signs of anxiety
Anxiety that disrupts your daily routine, work, school or other activities
you may be judged
Anxiety about being embarrassed or humiliated



Physical signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:

Blushing
Profuse sweating
Trembling
Nausea
Stomach upset
Difficulty talking
Muscle tension
Confusion
Palpitations
Diarrhea

When you have social anxiety disorder, you know that your anxiety or fear is out of proportion to the situation. Yet you're so worried about developing these signs and symptoms that you avoid social situations that may trigger them. Indeed, simply worrying about having any of these signs and symptoms can cause them or make them worse.

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can fluctuate over time. They may flare up if you're facing a lot of stress or demands. Or if you avoid situations that would usually make you anxious, you may not have signs or symptoms. Although such avoidance may allow you to feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to persist over the long term.

In addition, you may have signs and symptoms in only one type of situation, such as eating in front of others. In more severe cases, you may have signs and symptoms any time you're around another person at all.

Answer 6

I have social anxiety. Its not all in your head; its a chemical imbalance.

My symptomes, which may vary from yours, are:

Believeing everyone thinks what I said was really stupid.

Thinking I'm crazy.

Not participating in activities because I don't know how to act around unfamiliar people.

Feeling that everyone judges what you think or say.

Answer 7

Eliminate Social Anxiety And Shyness - http://tinyurl.com/9ERT0nTBdg

Answer 8

Being introduced to other people
Being teased or criticized
Being the center of attention
Being watched while doing something
Meeting people in authority ("important people")
Most social encounters, especially with strangers
Going around the room (or table) in a circle and having to say something
Interpersonal relationships, whether friendships or romantic
http://www.socialanxiety.us/symptoms.htm

Answer 9

type social anxiety on any web search and it will answer your question well