Different Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a tremendous fright of getting embarrassed in social situations. It is mostly hereditary. Many individuals suffer from depression and alcoholism at the same time. Social anxiety generally begins around adolescence. It is also known as social phobia. Inferiority complex is one of the most common symptoms of social anxiety.

Description

Individuals suffering from social anxiety think that others are more proficient than they are in public. They tend to amplify small mistakes committed by them. People smiling at such individuals can give them a feeling of humiliation.

General Symptoms of Social Anxiety

• Individuals enduring with this disorder are very self-conscious and feel as if everyone is watching them. They also panic in the presence of strangers. Sometimes, the fear is more specific such as stage fright, talking to someone of authority like a boss, or while on a date.
  
• The most common symptom of social anxiety is the fear of public speaking. Individuals also fear social situations such as parties. Other embarrassing situations could include using a public restroom, eating at restaurants, talking on the phone or writing in the presence of other people.

Social Anxiety versus Shyness

• Though the disorder is similar to shyness, the latter has different characteristics. Shy individuals may feel uncomfortable around others. However, they do not experience severe anxiety in a social situation and are not self-conscious.
  
• In a sharp contrast, people with social anxiety are not necessarily shy. They can be perfectly comfortable with some people, but certain circumstances such as making a speech or walking down a passageway in public can cause tremendous anxiety in them.

Upsetting Symptoms of Social Anxiety

• Social anxiety upsets normal life by disrupting career and social relationships. For example, an individual with social anxiety will find it difficult to make friends because of the self-consciousness and inferiority complex factor. The fear of a social event can begin weeks in advance and the symptoms can be devastating.
  
• Individuals with social anxiety know that their thoughts are illogical. Still, they take great pains to avoid a situation that may cause humiliation. Sometimes, they do face situations they fear. However, the disagreeable thoughts persist later on, since they tend to think about what others think about them or how others might judge them.

Specific Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

• A clear and constant fear of social situations, wherein individuals are exposed to unfamiliar people
• Exposure to dreaded social situation causes anxiety, which may turn itself in the form of panic attacks
• Individuals realize that their fear is extreme and awkward
• Individuals tend to avoid social or performance situations or face them with tremendous anxiety and agony.

Conclusion

Symptoms of social anxiety disrupt an individual's normal life due to avoidance, anxiety, and fear in a social or performance situation. It also affects the academic or occupational functioning, relationships, and social life of an individual. In addition, the suffering and extent of agony caused by anxiety and fear make social anxiety an alarming disorder.

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