Social anxiety disorder can be easily dismissed as shyness or nervousness. However, this problem is more than just feeling uncomfortable in everyday situations. It’s a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Those struggling with this kind of anxiety require professional help to manage their symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

People with a social anxiety disorder will exhibit different emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms. The symptoms may vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the disorder.

Emotional Symptoms

Emotional symptoms often stem from the intense emotional distress that comes with the fear of social situations. Some emotional symptoms that come with social anxiety disorder may include:

Experiencing intense fear or anxiety about social situations.
Being constantly worried about upcoming social situations.
Always feel like being watched or judged, even in normal interactions.
Being terrified of doing something “wrong” in public.
Feeling lonely because of always avoiding certain social situations.

Physical Symptoms

People who experience social anxiety may also show up physically. These symptoms are often triggered by the body’s “fight or flight” response:

Blushing or flushing
Sweating, damp clothing, and feeling overheated
Shaking or trembling
Rapid heartbeat, especially when thinking about social situations
Nausea or upset stomach
Tension in the muscles
Jaw clenching

Behavioral Symptoms

Many people with social anxiety will also exhibit different behavioral symptoms to cope with their fear. These symptoms may include:

Constantly avoiding social situations.
Speaking softly or mumbling to avoid being noticed.
Avoiding eye contact to not draw attention to them.
Fidgeting or other nervous habits like tapping fingers or biting fingernails.
Using alcohol and other substances to feel more relaxed in social settings.
Constantly making excuses to avoid social situations.
Leaving events early or always having an “escape plan” during social events.

How to Spot Social Anxiety in Children

Social anxiety will often look different in children because of the difference in how they express fear and anxiety. Unlike adults, you can’t expect children to verbalize their fears fully. As such, their social anxiety will be evident through different behaviors in social situations.

Knowing the different symptoms of this condition in children can help you immediately find the proper help for them:

Difficulty Making Friends

Children with social anxiety will often have difficulty making friends since they find connecting with peers a bit overwhelming. They may struggle to initiate conversations or feel too nervous to introduce themselves whenever they’re in social situations.

A child with social anxiety may long for friendship, but because of their anxiety, they appear distant from others. They may often stand on the sidelines during social events. They are paralysed by fear even if they want to join in on the fun.

Poor Academic Participation

Another symptom of social anxiety in children is poor academic participation. Their performance in school may be affected because they are too anxious to participate. For example, they may avoid raising their hand in class even when they know the answer. They may also have intense fear when they have to give a presentation and read it aloud.

Oftentimes, children with poor academic participation due to social anxiety are dismissed as simply shy, unmotivated, or even defiant. However, once it’s determined that it’s social anxiety that causes these behaviors, then it will be easier to gradually ease them into speaking in class.

Avoiding New Experiences

Children with social anxiety may also avoid new experiences because of all the fear that comes with them. Starting a new activity or even trying new kinds of food can make them incredibly fearful instead of excited.

One particular behavior that points to this symptom is refusing to try extracurricular activities, even if they’re interested. Whenever they’re faced with something unfamiliar, children with social anxiety also become very stressed out. These behaviors usually stem from the fear of failure or embarrassment.

Clinging to Parents or Caregivers

While being attached to parents or the primary caregiver is common among children, social anxiety will make this attachment manifest differently. This condition often continues beyond the toddler years and can affect kids who need to attend school.

A child with social anxiety often has meltdowns whenever they’re dropped off at school or a friend’s house. They’ll usually refuse to relinquish their parent’s hand in new environments because the child feels unsafe and anxious without their trusted caregiver.

How These Symptoms Impact Daily Life

When the social anxiety symptoms become too intense and persistent, they start to interfere with daily life. Ultimately, it becomes an everyday struggle affecting how you think, act, and feel.

For many people, this disorder can drastically affect their ability to socialize, both in their personal and professional lives. Everyday life is filled with interactions that can be extremely overwhelming if you struggle with social anxiety.

It’s going to be difficult to build relationships if you have social anxiety since you’ll have a constant fear of meeting new people. As a result, you may live a life where you constantly avoid opportunities and experiences that help you grow.

Lastly, the constant fear, stress, and worry that comes with this disorder may result in finding unhealthy ways to cope. Some may start drinking alcohol, while others may start using substances to reduce anxiety in social situations.

How Is Social Anxiety Diagnosed?

This mental health disorder is diagnosed through thorough assessments by mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists. Sometimes, a primary care physician will evaluate your symptoms before referring you to a specialist for further assessment.

There are several steps included in diagnosing the condition. The first step involves a clinical interview where a mental health professional will ask you about specific social situations that trigger your anxiety. You will also be asked about the severity and duration of your symptoms and how these symptoms have impacted your daily life.

After learning more about your symptoms, professionals will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose the condition. During diagnosis, it’s important to determine that the symptoms aren’t due to another medical condition, substance use, or another mental health disorder.

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

There isn’t one cause of social anxiety, but there are different genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that can increase the risk of struggling with this condition.

Here are some of the factors that may cause this disorder:

Genetics: Many studies show that genes related to brain function and stress may contribute to an increased risk of anxiety. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you inherit social anxiety, but children of parents with this condition are more likely to develop the condition.
Brain Chemistry: A person is more likely to struggle with social anxiety if there is an imbalance in neurotransmitters in their brain, like serotonin and dopamine.
Negative Experiences: Social anxiety may also develop when someone experiences negative social experiences, such as bullying and social rejection. Those who are raised by overly critical or controlling parents are also more likely to struggle with this condition.
Other Environmental Factors: People who grow up in cultures where perfectionism and social status are emphasized may often feel socially anxious because of societal pressure.

Treatment for Social Anxiety

If you or a loved one has been showing different symptoms of social anxiety, it’s best to seek professional treatment right away. Fortunately, different treatment options are available for those who want to manage their symptoms successfully.

Psychotherapy

One of the most common ways to treat social anxiety disorder is through psychotherapy. This approach helps people with social anxiety understand and manage their fears when it comes to socializing.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most widely used and effective form of therapy to help with social anxiety. During CBT, you’ll learn how to identify negative thought patterns that contribute to your anxiety and challenge them. Then, you’ll learn different coping strategies, such as breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, to reduce your anxiety in social situations.

Exposure therapy is another therapy used to help reduce fear and increase confidence. This therapy type encourages you to face your fears gradually in small and manageable steps. Small actions like ordering food at a restaurant or speaking up in group settings are part of exposure therapy.

Medication

Different types of medications can also be used to treat social anxiety. These are typically used when people struggle with severe social anxiety. It’s used as a complementary treatment to psychotherapy.

Common types of medications used for social anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), beta-blockers, and benzodiazepines. These medications come with their own side effects, so it’s important to take them under a doctor’s supervision.

Support Groups

Support groups can also benefit people with social anxiety by providing a safe and non-judgmental environment to share their experiences. By joining a support group, you can reduce the feelings of isolation that comes with social anxiety.

Support groups also serve as gradual exposure since they require interacting with others in a controlled and supportive setting. As such, you can practice social skills and build confidence in a less intimidating environment.

Holistic Treatments

Exploring different kinds of holistic treatments can also help you manage social anxiety. These approaches can be used alongside psychotherapy and medications to improve your mental health and well-being.

For example, practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present rather than worry about the future. It’s a way to be calmer and have control during times of stress and excessive worry.

Manage Your Anxiety with Luxe Recovery

Here at Luxe Recovery, we know that social anxiety can be a significant barrier to personal growth. It’s a disorder that can slowly affect different areas of your life, so it’s important to get the care you need to manage your symptoms. Our team is here to provide the necessary care and support so that you can live your life free from anxiety.

Get expert help for social anxiety