Ever heard the term being “Socially awkward“? Well according to me it comes hand in hand with social anxiety. ‘Ahh, why do I have to attend family functions? Can’t I just stay home while you people go dance or enjoy’? Some of the questions you would be aware of if you have social anxiety or you know someone who is not socially comfortable.

Fear results in fight and flight.
Anxiety creates doom and gloom.
~Max lucado

How Does It Feel?

• We’ve all experienced the sensation of being apprehensive or awkward in a social environment. Perhaps you’ve sweated your hands before a big presentation or become clammy when meeting someone new. While giving a public speech or walking into a room full of strangers isn’t for everyone, the majority of individuals can manage it.
• If you have social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, the stress of these situations is too much to bear. You might, for example, shun any social contact because things that most people consider “normal,” such as small talk and eye contact, make you uncomfortable. It’s possible that all elements of your life, not just social ones, will begin to come apart.
• It usually begins between the ages of 11 and 19, throughout the adolescent years. It’s one of the most common mental illnesses, therefore there’s hope if you have it. The difficult part is being able to ask for assistance. 

Physical symptoms

1. A rapid heartbeat/ Racing heart.
2. Muscle tension or body ache.
3. Blushing or trying to smile too much.
4. Crying.
5. Sweating and even shivering.
6. Not feeling like yourself.
7. Stomach trouble. More like feeling a pit in your stomach.
8. That sinking of heart feeling.

You may begin to experience symptoms and become concerned shortly before an event, or you may worry about it for weeks. Following that, you can waste a lot of time and mental energy second-guessing your actions.

When does it happen?

Some people with social anxiety disorder have concerns about only one or two situations, such as speaking in public or engaging in conversation. Others are jittery and timid in social situations. Social anxiety disorder can manifest itself in a variety of ways.

Physical Symptoms

1. Talking to strangers or starting a conversation with someone new.
2. Going up on a stage and speaking in front of a bunch of people.
3. Presenting something.
4. Dating, because you are not confident enough about yourself.
5. Not able to explain yourself due to lack of communication skills.
6. Eating with a group of people.
7. Going to parties.
8. Making eye contact.

Some of these scenarios may not be problematic for you. Giving a speech, for example, may be simple, but attending a party may be a nightmare. Alternatively, you might excel at one-on-one conversations but struggle in a packed classroom. Individuals who are anxious have several reasons for dreading specific circumstances. But, in general, it’s a crippling fear of:
But, in general, it’s a crippling fear of:

*In social contexts, being judged or observed.
*Exhibiting embarrassment or humiliation by blushing, sweating, or shaking.
*Offending someone just by accident
*Receiving a lot of attention.

What causes it?

There’s no one thing that causes social uneasiness problem. Hereditary qualities probably has something to do with it: If you have a relative with social fear, you’re more in danger of having it, as well. It could likewise be connected to having an overactive amygdala: the piece of the mind that controls your dread reaction. Social nervousness issue typically comes on around 13 years old.

It very well may be connected to a background marked by misuse, tormenting, or prodding. Timid children are likewise bound to turn out to be socially restless grown-ups, as are kids with domineering or controlling guardians. Assuming you foster an ailment that causes to notice your appearance or voice, that could set off friendly tension, as well.

How can it effect your life?

You can’t live your life because of social anxiety syndrome. You’ll steer clear of situations that most people regard as “normal.” You might be perplexed as to how others are able to handle things so easily.

It has an impact on your personal connections if you avoid all or most social interactions. It can also result in:
1.Low self-confidence
2.Being a pessimist
3.Depression
4.Criticism sensitivity
5.Social abilities that don’t seem to be improving

What can one do about social anxiety?

If your social awkwardness comes between your life outside your room, like difficulty in making friends and talking to anyone then maybe you need some sought of treatment. Talking to someone you are comfortable with or seeing a therapist. Talking about your thoughts, your fears, what are you afraid of, can help.

How is social anxiety disorder treated?

There are mainly two common and constructive treatments for social anxiety disorder which are Prescription medication and behavioral therapy.

Medications-

• Prescription medicine can be a simple and successful treatment for social anxiety disorder for some people. The medications function by alleviating the unpleasant and frequently humiliating effects. Medications can sometimes significantly lessen or even eliminate your symptoms. Some people may have a negative reaction to a medicine, while others may not be benefited at all. There is no way to know whether or not a drug will benefit you. Sometimes you have to try a few different things before you find one that works.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, and Effexor as treatments for social anxiety disorder. Although these are the only drugs expressly approved for the illness, other medications may also be effective. Medication has the advantage of being quite effective. They are prescribed only once a day but there are some negatives too.
• In addition, FDA- approved drugs for social anxiety disorder, like all pharmaceuticals used to treat depression, come with a warning. According to the FDA, the medication may trigger or exacerbate suicidal thoughts or actions in  minors under the age of 24. As a result, youth who take these medications should be regularly watched for changes in suicidal thoughts.
• Many people find that the benefits of drugs exceed the drawbacks. You and your physician must assess the options. If you’re taking medication for social anxiety disorder, contact your doctor right away if you start to experience any negative side effects, such as feeling sad and depressed. Also, never discontinue taking an anxiety medication without first consulting your doctor. Stopping an anxiety medication abruptly can have major consequences.

Behavioral therapy-

• A qualified therapist can help you discover and change the thoughts that make you uncomfortable in social situations through behavioral therapy. For social anxiety disorder, exposure treatment is a sort of behavioral therapy that is often utilized. Exposure therapy involves progressively exposing you to awkward social settings and waiting until you feel comfortable. Your brain is learning that a social scenario you were terrified of is actually not that horrible during this process.
• Most therapists who use exposure therapy start with tiny doses of unpleasant situations and gradually increase the difficulty of the exposures as you gain confidence. The benefit of this therapy is that it addresses the root of the problem rather than merely the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. So, if you cease behaving in a certain way, most probably there is less chance of symptoms returning.

Also Read – “Yet another feeling I can’t seem to shake”

Reference – https://inforanjan.com/social-anxiety-disorder-facts-everyone-should-know-about-it