Since elementary school, I’ve always been afraid of being judged. I’m always awkward and nervous in social situations. For me, it’s always been that meeting new people or talking to anybody is nerve wracking.
That thought of walking up to somebody random, or even somebody you know, and trying to start a conversation with them is scary.
I never knew what the term was or what it was called growing up, but now I do: social anxiety.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, social anxiety is an intense fear of being watched and judged by others.
Most think social anxiety is the fear of being watched or being shy but it’s much more. There is so much that comes along with social anxiety.
People who have social anxiety have a major fear or anxiety over what people think can be the simplest things like speaking in public, meeting new people, dating, answering or speaking in class, talking to a cashier in a store and lots more. It’s little things like those that give me severe anxiety and fear.
One thing that’s common for people with social anxiety is that their fear is so extreme that they feel it’s beyond their control.
Fear gets in the way of doing everyday tasks like going to class and work, going to a restaurant or ordering from a fast food place, going out in public and other simple tasks that seem like chores.
Everyday interactions or tasks cause significant anxiety, self consciousness and embarrassment because you feel like you’re being judged negatively or highly scrutinized.
Social anxiety isn’t just another disorder. Social anxiety can wreak havoc or take over someone’s life. It takes control of you and you think there’s no way out.
There can be many possible causes. Social anxiety and anxiety traits can be inherited. They tend to run in families. But, it isn’t always entirely clear how much of this may be due to genetics and learned behavior.
Another possible cause could be because of the brain structure. The amygdala is a mass inside the cerebral hemisphere of the brain and it’s involved with the experiencing of emotions.
People who have an overactive amygdala may have heightened fear response, increasing anxiety in certain situations and interactions.
A certain environment could also be another possible cause. Some people may develop significant anxiety after an unpleasant or embarrassing social situation.
There may be a link between social anxiety …….
Source: https://wkuherald.com/65841/opinion/opinion-the-reality-of-living-with-social-anxiety-in-college/