Up until last autumn, I couldn’t put a name to some of the biggest issues I’ve faced for most of my life.
As society progresses, it’s fair to say that mental health support and understanding is improving. Nonetheless, there’s still a long way to go. Schools, colleges, and universities can do a lot more to ensure their students grow up with a detailed understanding of mental health issues; it could help them understand their condition and seek help much earlier.
All sorts of social engagements can trigger an anxiety attack, ranging from a simple phone call to a packed house party. In my experience, people with social anxiety seem to have very similar thoughts, feelings, and impulse reactions when faced with social situations, including:
- Overthinking social encounters to the point that you can’t be yourself
- Fearing embarrassment, criticism, and rejection
- Feeling the need to please everyone and meet their expectations to avoid being judged
- Wanting to be left alone and going to extreme lengths to avoid people. Click here for a full list of symptoms of social anxiety.
There are a lot of misconceptions about anxiety. Having social anxiety is not being scared about making a speech in front of a large audience. It’s about wanting to isolate yourself from everyone around you because even simple social interactions can put you on edge.
Social anxiety often goes unnoticed, partially because people who suffer from it are good at covering it up and partly because of the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health issues in general. Most people won’t verbally identify social anxiety isn’t helped by the lack of media coverage the condition gets either.
We all need to be more kind, considerate and helpful. Whilst it’s been tough living with anxiety, I believe it has made me a more thoughtful person. Remember that you are never alone in what you’re going through, and it always helps to talk to someone. There are many resources available online, such as CBT workbooks and self-help videos, so please have a look if you think you or someone you know could benefit.
