Have you ever been in a situation where you're put under the spotlight, and there are a lot of people around you? You begin to feel stressed, and you shake and sweat uncontrollably.
You might have what is known as social anxiety. It can affect your life, including your relationships and your finances.
People with social anxiety can have a poor quality of life. If you need help, here is a step-by-step guide to overcoming your social anxiety.
What is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is a condition wherein the person begins to feel anxious or fearful when present in a social situation.
They usually take themselves out of the social situation to remove the feeling of anxiety. Certain situations can also trigger social anxiety apart from having to face a lot of people.
These include being interviewed, on a date, at a friend's party, at a family dinner, and many more.
There is still an ongoing stigma with people having social anxiety as people just being shy, but this is not the case.
What Causes Social Anxiety?
There are still a lot of unknown factors that cause social anxiety. Scientists and researchers are still looking for ways to determine what truly causes this.
This condition can be caused by a myriad of factors which can include genetics as well as background. Social anxiety can be caused by fear and anxiety during childhood years.
It is a complex condition that is heavily related to stress and the environment, which contributes to the worsening of the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety
People with social anxiety often have visible signs and symptoms, but you also need to look for those that are not too visible.
The physical and psychological symptoms can include blushing and increased heart rate or pulse, especially in social situations.
Feeling nervous to the point where you feel nauseous can also be a sign of social anxiety.
People who suffer from social anxiety also avoid making eye contact a lot of times and often have a stiff body posture when they are with other people.
How Common is Social Anxiety?
Many people might think that social anxiety is not very common. Social anxiety is quite common. Around 5% to 10% of people have social anxiety.
It is also the third most common mental health condition after depression and substance abuse.
A lot of people might think that it is not common, but individuals who suffer from social anxiety tend to hide the signs and symptoms very well.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Overcome Your Social Anxiety
Overcoming social anxiety is a process. It will take some time to achieve your goals in overcoming them.
There are certain steps, treatments, and management plans that you can do to help ease your social anxiety.
This can help you become a proper member of society and be able to improve your quality of life.
Seek Professional Help
The very first step that you need to do if you suspect of having an anxiety disorder is to seek professional help. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from a psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy is usually provided by these professionals to help improve your symptoms.
You will learn to identify and change those negative thoughts and anxiety. These skills will help you gain the confidence that you need during social situations.
Discover What Triggers Your Anxiety
Social anxiety is different from one individual to the next. What may trigger others might not be triggering for you.
To determine what triggers your social anxiety, you must explore different kinds of situations and see what happens.
Once you discover your triggers, you can talk about them with your therapist so you can move toward managing them.
From Negative to Positive
A lot of people who suffer from social anxiety stem from having negative thoughts during a social situation.
You might be worried about certain negative things that might happen.
Instead of focusing your energy on those anxiety-driven thoughts, challenge yourself to bring out positive thoughts to the forefront of your inner dialogue.
One Step at a Time
Managing and treating social anxiety takes a long while to do. It is okay that you start with small steps towards managing your social anxiety.
No one is expecting you to manage your condition after a single session with the therapist. Congratulate yourself after a day full of social anxiety triggers.
Challenge yourself in social situations, like raising your hand to ask a simple question or compliment another person's outfit.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Apart from therapy and challenging yourself, there are also techniques that you can do to help you relax.
Try deep breathing exercises where you inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
You can also stretch your arms and legs as you breathe deep and exhale afterwards.
Difference Between Social Anxiety and Just Being Shy
There is a lot of difference between just being shy and those who have social anxiety.
People with social anxiety tend to withdraw themselves from the environment that triggers the anxiety.
Shy people tend to stick it out. If the anxiety continues to be a nuisance to the point that it interferes with your daily life, this should be the time that you should seek help from a medical professional.
You should also be mindful of how intense your anxieties and fears are and how much you can avoid them in certain situations.
How Managing Your Social Anxiety Can Benefit You Financially
People who have social anxiety tend to underperform in their academics. They also have a lower probability of getting married due to their inability to be present in normal social situations.
They have a higher probability of losing their job because of their social anxiety, which means that it can affect their quality of life and overall finances.
This is why getting the help that you need to manage your social anxiety can benefit you financially in the long run. Seek help if you need it.
Conclusion
Social anxiety can sometimes take over our lives, but you should also know that you can manage and even treat social anxiety. Make sure that you always seek professional help so you can improve your quality of life and even have financial freedom.
