It is not about being shy, or introverted, or insecure. Nor is it simply about getting nervous when in a group or speaking in public. Nothing to see. Despite the fact that it is often assumed that it is simply something linked to the person’s personality. Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a psychological disorder that directly affects a person’s way of life and is capable of being limiting in their day to day.
People who suffer from social anxiety experience a strong fear of being watched and judged by others. A constant fear that remains present at all times. At the bus stop, when talking in class or at work, even during a gathering of friends. This anxiety disorder, one of the most frequent, turns every social interaction into suffering due to the concern that the interlocutor will undertake a negative evaluation. Even if it’s internally. “He thinks I’m useless”, “what I say is boring”, “he doesn’t want to be here with me”, just some of the intrusive thoughts that social anxiety continually provokes.
Social anxiety is not being afraid of making a fool of yourself or feeling insecure during a conversation. Those who suffer from this disorder may feel anguish and worry before a social event days before it is going to take place. Likewise, carrying out routine actions, such as eating in front of other people or using a public toilet. And this constant fear of social interactions makes them avoid these meetings and directly not go. This greatly affects their social life and also work.
And, of course, suffering from a constant fear of feeling judged or humiliated by others. As well as the fact that these people can realize the insecurity and nervousness with which they try to deal at those moments. All this causes those who suffer from social anxiety to experience great stress, for example, when sitting at a table where everyone is already located. Or, for example, in the case of having to make some type of claim or request the return of an item.