4 Examples Of Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, affects around 6.8 million adults in the U.S. Still, many people struggle with this condition and they are not officially diagnosed by a mental health care provider, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). 

NIMH states that this anxiety disorder can be mild to moderate and sometimes only lasts several hours. It can be long-lasting, preventing you from participating in everyday activities and relationships with others.

Although this condition may seem common, many people don’t understand what it means to have social anxiety or how it manifests itself in day-to-day life. Here are five examples of social anxiety and how you can learn from them to shed light on this topic.

1) Going out with friends
Going out with friends is an event that can trigger social anxiety. However, this experience doesn't have to be a terrible one. With the right mindset, you can make it a positive experience. Below are a few ways to help manage this anxiety: 

• Make your expectations realistic. 

• Plan and know what to expect. 

• Practice what you'll say beforehand to feel more confident when meeting new people.

• Bring a friend or someone you know who's been there before to help introduce you. 

• Arrive early so you don't feel rushed.

2) Talking on the phone
Phone conversations are one of the most common triggers for people with social anxiety. Feeling anxious about talking on the phone typically stems from a fear that the person on the other end will be judging you. 

Think about why it might bother you to talk on the phone: 

• Why are they calling me? 

• What am I afraid of? 

• Why do these thoughts make me feel uneasy? 

3) Meeting new people
If you are too anxious to do so, try one of these techniques:

• Ask the person their name and tell them yours. 

• Compliment the person on their appearance or wearing something. 

• Tell them how much you enjoy their work. 

• Bring up an interest in common that you share with the person, such as sports or music. 

• The next time you see this person, remember what you talked about so you can pick up where your last conversation left off.

4) Eating out or ordering food at restaurants
If ordering food at a restaurant, intimidates you or freak you out, ask yourself why? You're not sure what to say or how to act and you get your words easily mixed up. You want the person taking your order to like you, and don’t want to appear stupid.

Eating in public can be stressful for someone with social anxiety. It's hard to eat while ensuring no one looks, talks too much, or is too quiet.

• Work on not being self-conscious.

• Remember that everything is not about you. You’re not the center of other people’s attention,

• When ordering, read exactly what you want to order directly from the menu – don’t adlib. 

Final thoughts
Social anxiety can make a person feel self-conscious, embarrassed, and even experience panic. It is important to remember that social anxiety is a common condition that many people experience at one time or another. 

While it is not easy to deal with, practice some of the examples that I have given you to consider.  As you overcome social anxiety and it will improve your quality of life. 

Remembering these four examples of social anxiety may help you deal with it better in the future.