Social Anxiety
Social anxiety differs from other anxieties as it has surroundings around social interactions, situations and anything that may correspond with this. It is important to remember that a person who has social anxiety may have a harder time in social settings or even attending social situations. This may lead to someone with social anxiety to have less interactions with others due to the anxiety that is paired with new people or new situations. These anxieties can cause a large amount of self isolation and distress for a person who is dealing with social anxiety on a day to day basis.
Signs symptoms
Social anxiety can have many different types of symptoms for a person that could fall under cognitive, behavioural or physical symptoms. Some of the signs or symptoms may include:
Thoughts around the anxiety itself making them look bad
Thoughts on their own personality or behaviours that might come up in situations
Physically: blushing, rapid heart beat, shaking, tightness in chest, sweating
Behaviourally: avoidance of social situations, public speaking, eye contact
Not being highly involved in conversations with others
Most symptoms will be seen in earlier life for many individuals before the age of 18 years old. For children there may be different signs you might see in public settings including:
Inability to speak up in social situations or speak at all,
Crying when being put in social situations or being asked to do something that would involve interacting with a new person.
May be much more on edge when in public settings or interactions with others.
Social anxiety is seen not to have a specific route in development, although there are some causes that may intertwine with social anxiety. Previous traumatic experiences that an individual has encountered or constant stressful events may contribute, such as bullying in primary years. If someone's family has a history of anxiety disorders this could also relate to an individual being more prone to experiencing social anxiety. This also goes for a history of other mental health struggles that other family members have gone through.
What makes social anxiety different from other anxieties?
Social anxiety is unique in comparison to other anxiety disorders as it is the primary cause of concern for the person surrounding the impact of social situations and their ability to cope in them. An individual who has social anxiety will have that fear of interacting with others and worries surrounding reactions and what others think of them. This is highly impactful and overwhelming on many areas of their lives making it harder for individuals who struggle with social anxiety, even if told these things won’t happen to cope in any sort of social situation, whereas an individual who struggles with general anxiety disorder may still have these fears but with more emphasis on everything and not specifically social events. Social anxiety has the constant fear of negative interactions occurring when going to events or even something as simple as going to school. Being aware of all of these differences from other anxieties and the impact that having conversations with new people or everyday social settings is highly important for you or a loved one.
Ways to Support
Supporting an individual with social anxiety may come with some difficulties as they may share their fears and worries with you that may seem very unlikely to happen. Although taking the time to acknowledge these overwhelming worries and talk through them with said person who is struggling. When the person or yourself is ready, consider therapy as an option to work through the social anxiety and give the tools so that you or someone you love is able to cope. Finding and supporting individuals through social situations is also highly beneficial giving them the ability to take a break from a social situation if it gets to be too overwhelming. Overall, just supporting the individual on finding the ways that they are able to cope in social situations and giving the option to seek further help with therapy if they are ready.
Resources
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/social-anxiety-disorder
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/generalized-anxiety-disorder