Do You Have Hidden Social Anxiety? It’s More Common Than You Think

(Illustration: Jasmine Parker / Wellcome Images)

As a student, professor, boss, or worker, we sometimes have to make presentations or talk/perform in front of the people. Also, we meet new people, talk to them and maybe have a meal together. It is normal to feel a bit anxious before these social situations because it would help you to deal with the issues better. However, if all social situations (attending parties, talking to strangers or authority figures, making presentations, maintaining eye contact, dating, using a public restroom, eating/drinking in front of people, and so on)  make you feel very afraid and anxious causing a worse result, then you may experience social anxiety.

Introverts-

Note that introversion and social anxiety are not the same things. While introversion is a personality feature which the person prefers to be alone and enjoy being alone, social anxiety is a mental health condition which the person gets anxious and fearful in social situations and withdraw himself/herself from these.

(Illustration: Eva Hill)

If you think you more likely experience social anxiety, please take the test and answer yes or no for each question. Every 'yes' answer means one point for you. After answering all the questions, you'll be able to see your anxiety level much better.

Let's Get Started-

• Is it scary for you to make a presentation in front of other people? (Y/N)
• Do you avoid social situations, or if you must join, do you feel an intense fear and anxiety? (Y/N)
• Is it very important for you to be liked by other people? (Y/N)
• Do you feel nervous while talking to someone you don't know? (Y/N)
• Are you concerned about what other people think of you? (Y/N)
• Do you feel worried about making a mistake in front of others? (Y/N)
• If someone makes fun of you, would it affect your anxiety level a lot? (Y/N)
• Are your work life/school life, relationships, home life and social life affected by your anxiety toward social situations? (Y/N)
• Are you very conscious of your actions and sayings in social settings because they might offend someone, or you could be rejected? (Y/N)
• When in social situations, are you worried about others might notice your anxiety symptoms, such as trembling, blushing, sweating and so forth? (Y/N)
• Do you generally tend to withdraw from people, like sitting behind, or unable to go in a room full of strangers? (Y/N)
• Is it hard for you to talk to a stranger on phone? (Y/N)
• Do you feel afraid of authority figures? (Y/N)
• Do all of these last for you more than 6 months? (Y/N)

If you have a higher score on this test, or have a lower score but clearly suffer from it, you might have social anxiety, also known as social phobia. It is an important issue which would make you to withdraw from people and social situations, and fail in school or work because it might result in low self-esteem in people.

However, it is not something lasting forever if you get help from a professional and willing to overcome it. The images or scenarios you have in your mind about social situations create social anxiety (e.g. you think everybody will hate you in the party so you decide not to join or you are anxious of being there). Subsequently, if you want to work with these images and scenarios, EMDR (Eye Movement Therapy) might be a good choice for you. Also, EMDR with CBT is a good combination to overcome your anxiety/fear and feel much easier to go into social situations affecting every side of your life.

The Virtual EMDR (Online EMDR-Eye Movement Therapy) program works well to stop anxiety/fears and change the negative images with more positive ones. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Sign up now, and try Virtual EMDR for one week!

References-

Holmes, L., & Hill, E. (2018, 25 April). The Difference between Social Anxiety and Introversion, In 4 Comics: Loving alone time is different from a mental health condition. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/difference-social-anxiety-introversion_n_5adf5e6de4b07560f3961226

Mayo Clinic Staff (2017, 29 August). Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561

Test was adapted from various tests which are written on:

Folk, J., Folk, M., & BScN. (2019, January 1). Social Anxiety Test Online, Self Quiz. Retrieved from https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-tests/social-anxiety-test.shtml

Vertical Health LLC. (2018, March 29). Social Anxiety Test. Retrieved from https://www.psycom.net/social-anxiety-test/

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and
     statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC.