Dealing with Social Anxiety

All of us experience anxious moments and stressful situations, some more often than others. But for some, this anxiety is pronounced to the point that fear and worry overcomes efforts to deal with it. Social anxiety is an affliction that affects thousands every year. Knowing what it is and how to recognize its signs is an important first step to dealing with the affliction.

Social anxiety is defined as a fear of worry or apprehension in any social setting or situation, and also concern of being judged by others. We all grow nervous at interviews and when meeting or dealing with certain people and situations. Social anxiety isn't about worrying about that speech or job interview, however. While shy people may be more prone to experiencing social anxiety, that's not always the case. People suffering from social anxiety expect people to view them in a negative light or with open signs of disapproval and avoid contact with others whenever possible.

Feeling anxious on occasion is normal for all of us. The first indications of stress appear as sweating or blushing. Hearts may pound, butterflies wrack havoc in our stomach, palms sweat, hands tremble and sometimes our breathing will accelerate. Anxiousness is inbred in all of us, an ancient link to our past when the 'fight or flight' response saved many a life. It's the manner in which our body tells us that something isn't quite normal, or even dangerous. Social anxiety, however, goes way beyond those symptoms and becomes all-consuming for the person experiencing it. Isolation from others and both physical and emotional withdrawal wraps sufferers in a cocoon of perceived comfort. Normal activities and get-togethers become a thing of the past.

Several factors can contribute to social anxiety. Environmental issues such as poverty and family conflict can cause people to feel anxious, and coupled with low self-esteem, may lead to patterns of social anxiety. Personality traits also play a role. People who tend to view themselves as powerless to change either themselves or the situations around them often view the world as threatening and overwhelming. Heredity also contributes as a factor in the mental health of offspring, and anxiety often runs in families. People used to be called 'high-strung', but in reality, they're people who are incapable of dealing with stress. On the physical side, chemical imbalances in the brain can contribute to social anxiety. Chemicals such as serotonin and epinephrine and cortisol can affect how a person perceives stress, as can response to traumatic events.

People suffering from social anxiety don't have to suffer alone. Medications and treatments are available, but it takes someone to first recognize the signs and symptoms of the disorder and acknowledge it before help can be obtained. If someone exhibiting these signs and symptoms for more than six months hasn't 'snapped out of it', they may be suffering from social anxiety or other forms of anxiety disorders. If they won't seek help for themselves, it's important for loved ones to do it for them. Social anxiety can be debilitating, but it doesn't have to be.

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