What anxiety really is?!

Have you ever felt like you wanna be alone rather than staying in public? Ever felt uncomfortable in a gathering or a party? Ever wanted to reject something by saying 'NO' but you just can;t do it?

Anxiety does make you blush unintentionally causing red cheeks and raced heart-beat, sometimes shaking body in extreme conditions but this is far beyond than shyness. A person is still comfortable when feeling shy but this is not the case for anxiety.
Many people get nervous or self-conscious on occasion, like when giving a speech or interviewing for a new job. But social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is more than just shyness or occasional nerves. Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of certain social situations—especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which you feel you’ll be watched or evaluated by others. These situations may be so frightening that you get anxious just thinking about them or go to great lengths to avoid them, disrupting your life in the process.

Underlying social anxiety disorder is the fear of being scrutinized, judged, or embarrassed in public. You may be afraid that people will think badly of you or that you won’t measure up in comparison to others. And even though you probably realize that your fears of being judged are at least somewhat irrational and overblown, you still can’t help feeling anxious. But no matter how painfully shy you may be and no matter how bad the butterflies, you can learn to be comfortable in social situations and reclaim your life.

Individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder typically experience the following symptoms:
Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others (e.g. having a conversation, meeting new people, giving a speech, eating in front of others)
The individual fears that he or she will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be negatively evaluated (will be humiliating or embarrassing, or lead to rejection)
Social situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety, and are avoided or endured with fear or anxiety
The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the situation and context

Those diagnosed with social anxiety disorder are continually hindered by the feeling that “all eyes are upon them.” While many people have memories of being discomforted by a social situation, an individual with social anxiety disorder is debilitated by the feeling. The anxiety may interfere with an individual’s professional life, academic life as well as his or her everyday activities, often hindering an individual’s ability to form intimate relationships. Importantly, a person also develops a fear of the phobia itself, reinforcing the initial avoidance reaction.

Social anxiety disorder is harder to diagnose in children. Because children do not have the means to describe the quality of their anxiety as effectively as adults, the disorder may go unrecognized despite a child developing habits frequently encountered with social anxiety. Some common personality and behavioral traits seen in children with social anxiety disorder are crying, tantrums, clinging to familiar people, extreme shyness, refusing to speak in front of their class, and fear or timidity in new settings and with new people. In order for a child to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, the child must experience anxiety with their peers as well as with adults but also show the capacity to form social relationships with familiar people.
What causes social anxiety?

Although it may feel like you’re the only one with this problem, social anxiety is actually quite common. Many people struggle with these fears. But the situations that trigger the symptoms of social anxiety disorder can be different.

Some people experience anxiety in most social situations. For others, anxiety is connected to specific social situations, such as speaking to strangers, mingling at parties, or performing in front of an audience. Common social anxiety triggers include:

• Meeting new people
• Making small talk
• Public speaking
• Performing on stage
• Being the center of attention
• Being watched while doing something
• Being teased or criticized
• Talking with “important” people or authority figures
• Being called on in class
• Going on a date
• Speaking up in a meeting
• Using public restrooms
• Taking exams
• Eating or drinking in public
• Making phone calls
• Attending parties or other social gatherings

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder

Just because you occasionally get nervous in social situations doesn’t mean you have social anxiety disorder or social phobia. Many people feel shy or self-conscious on occasion, yet it doesn’t get in the way of their everyday functioning. Social anxiety disorder, on the other hand, does interfere with your normal routine and causes tremendous distress.

For example, it’s perfectly normal to get the jitters before giving a speech. But if you have social anxiety, you might worry for weeks ahead of time, call in sick to get out of it, or start shaking so bad during the speech that you can hardly speak.

Emotional signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder:
Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations
Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation
Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know
Fear that you’ll act in ways that will embarrass or humiliate yourself
Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous

Physical signs and symptoms:

• Red face, or blushing
• Shortness of breath
• Upset stomach, nausea (i.e. butterflies)
• Trembling or shaking (including shaky voice)
• Racing heart or tightness in chest
• Sweating or hot flashes
• Feeling dizzy or faint

Behavioral signs and symptoms:

• Avoiding social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life
• Staying quiet or hiding in the background in order to escape notice and embarrassment
• A need to always bring a buddy along with you wherever you go
• Drinking before social situations in order to soothe your nerves
• Social anxiety disorder in children

There’s nothing abnormal about a child being shy, but children with social anxiety disorder experience extreme distress over everyday situations such as playing with other kids, reading in class, speaking to adults, or taking tests. Often, children with social phobia don’t even want to go to school.
How to overcome social anxiety disorder tip 1: Challenge negative thoughts

While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do about the symptoms of social anxiety disorder or social phobia, in reality, there are many things that can help. The first step is challenging your mentality.

Social anxiety sufferers have negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their fears and anxiety. These can include thoughts such as:

“I know I’ll end up looking like a fool.”
“My voice will start shaking and I’ll humiliate myself.”
“People will think I’m stupid”
“I won’t have anything to say. I’ll seem boring.”

Challenging these negative thoughts is an effective way to reduce the symptoms of social anxiety.