What is social anxiety?
Almost everyone has some level of social anxiety. Because we need others to survive (this is overwhelmingly true in the research) it makes sense we worry about what others think.The thing to know is that social anxiety exists on a spectrum. Some people experience very little, some more, and some feel debilitated by their social anxiety. This can be influenced by past social experiences, including those within your family. Going through trauma can make it more likely you will experience higher levels of social anxiety.The ways in which we regulate social anxiety can be really backward. Because we are worried about embarrassment or judgment from others, we tend to overthink about our responses and react to people awkwardly, which robs us from our spontaneous responses and can make people feel uncomfortable around us. That doesn't always mean people are judging you, but it can still get in the way of genuine connection.Ruminating about what others think of you doesn't always mean you have a disorder. However, if it is interfering with your functioning in any setting, that may be a sign that you could benefit from help. You can always seek help no matter what level of social anxiety you have.With the condition of the nation right now, there aren't many groups running in person, but social anxiety groups are shown to be super effective for reduction of symptoms. There may even be some online groups you could partake in if you think you could benefit.