Social anxiety is a fear that people will scrutinize you in either familiar or unfamiliar social situations, and this negative judgment will have harmful effects on you.
These worries about humiliation and rejection are persistent, often last six months or more, and restrict your activities, interests, and relationships.
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) states that approximately 15 million adults in the U.S. (6.8% of the population) meet the criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder, also called social phobia, and it typically starts in adolescence — around 13 years old.
Overcoming social anxiety is not easy, and it’s a common struggle for children, teens, and adults with ADHD. About 50% of adults with ADHD and up to 30% of children with ADHD also have a coexisting anxiety disorder.
While you may not be able to overcome social anxiety overnight, you can learn to manage it better with a few key strategies.
Common experiences of ADHD and social anxiety may sound like this:
“I feel that a lot of times I genuinely do want to socialize and get to know people. But trauma and fear of rejection disables me from doing it. It’s hard to fight my brain to meet this goal.” – Gunther, age 18
“I have ADHD and social anxiety. The ADHD makes you physically awkward and it makes you stand out. I’m in my 30s and I’m terrified of socializing. It started when I was a kid. It’s terrible. I’m a complete hermit.” – Anthony, age 35
When you worry so much about being negatively judged, you can’t really be yourself, make rewarding friendships, or build a satisfying life. Instead, social anxiety blocks you every step of the way.
Sources of social anxiety:
Overcoming social anxiety begins with understanding its root causes. It most often stems from one or more of the following:
1. Limited exposure to positive social experiences
2. Genetics (people with anxious parents are more prone to anxiety)
3. History of being bullied
4. Memories of public humiliation
5. A general discomfort communicating with people
Other causes of social anxiety may come from feeling that you can’t relate to people or you haven’t learned proper social skills. For teens especially, dating, bullying, and peer pressure all contribute to social anxiety.
Social anxiety goes beyond shyness or introversion. One of its most important traits is a response to a trigger or situation which is above and beyond the actual threat of that situation.
For example: You are so freaked out that everyone is looking at you when you are in line at the café that you don’t even try to stay and order a coffee. In reality, nobody is looking at you other than the server who takes …….
