15 Things Only People With Social Anxiety Will Understand Ah… you know the drill. People around you are talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company, but you… you can't bring yourself to participate – you have social anxiety.
Although you may feel alone, you should know that this condition is more common than you think! It is estimated that about 7% of the population suffers from some form of social anxiety disorder.
However, you have specific challenges, and here are the most common ones that only people with social anxiety will understand!
#1: You Prefer Virtual Communication
You seem to be able to communicate just fine via text or social media, but in person, you just can't find the words.
It's much easier to communicate when you don't have to do it face to face, and you don't understand why it happens.
#2: You Only Have 1 or 2 Friends, And You Don't Really Want More
If you don't see those two friends very often, even though you enjoy their company.
They invite you to social gatherings, but you usually don't go and instead invent excuses not to attend. You only want to be with them when it's just a few of you.
#3: You take Your Lunch To Work
Not because it's cheap, but because you need an excuse not to go out to lunch with your co-workers. When you get invited to happy hour, you find an excuse not to attend, and eventually they stop inviting you.
People see you as anti-social when, in reality, you're really scared, and you can't explain why.
#4: You Are Unable To Contribute To The Conversation
Even when you have something good to add to the discussion, you choose not to because you are afraid someone will criticize your contribution. Or it will think it is incompetent.
#5: You Experience Rapid Heartbeat, Sweating, And Heavy Breathing
These are physical reactions to your anxiety and you cannot control them.
You believe that everyone around you feels these physical reactions, and it makes you want to remove yourself from the situation even more.
#6: You're Overwhelmed When There Are Too Many People Around
Every noise, light, smell, and action is taken in, and you can't process it all or filter things out.
It's like you're being bombarded with too much at once, and the result is that you go into "flight" mode and find a way to get yourself out of the situation.
#7: You Tune Out When a Lot of People Are Speaking
You go into your comfort zone where you are at least temporarily safe. You shut everything down, and people around you are confused by your behavior.
At times, they may perceive you as aloof or rude, even though you have a strong desire to be part of a social experience.
#8: You Are Usually Overly Concerned About Your Look In General
You always feel that everyone is judging and judging you on your style. When in reality, most people have their own problems, their own priorities, and they don't have your mind set on you.
It is impossible for you to accept this, even though you actually realize that your thinking is irrational at the moment.
#9: You Build Your Social Life Around Family Members
They know you, and because you grew up around them, you can actually communicate. However if a sister brings a boyfriend, you will avoid him and spend more time in the kitchen with your mother or other siblings.
#10: You Have a Pet, Usually a Dog or Cat
You are unable to keep up with people.
#11: You May Intentionally Avoid People
On Purpose For example, you may see an acquaintance from a distance, but you go out of your way to avoid being seen.
However if you are spotted, and the person approaches you, you have a very short conversation and indicate that you have an appointment and need to leave.
#12: You Imagine The Worst Possible Scenarios
Even though you realize those things will probably never happen. This activity only increases your anxiety level and your constant need to isolate yourself.
Again, you realize that your thinking is negative, but you don't have the tools to turn it off and think about the positive things in your life.
#13: You Panic when you hear knock or the phone ringing
When your phone rings at odd hours. This is what happens when there's a knock on your door and you're not ready for the day yet.
While others would just laugh at such a thing, you go into a tailspin because you believe you're being judged for the way you look or for being so lazy. You're not "ready" for your day yet.
#14: You Seem To Be Tired All The Time
Not because you are engaged in any strenuous activity, but as a result of being in a constant state of stress. Chronic anxiety is exhausting, and you look to sleep as an escape.
#15: You Want Others To Understand, But Can't Explain
You don't want to show this kind of vulnerability for fear of being judged or silently criticized.
In fact, most people are compassionate and understanding… if you only give them a chance, but your fear always seems to get in the way.
Do you have social anxiety?
Which of these points apply to you?
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