For many people, it’s rare to go a day without communicating with another person in one form or another. While social connections are important for a well-rounded lifestyle, they aren’t always easy to form or maintain, especially for people with social anxiety.

Social anxiety is an anxiety disorder that’s characterized by an intense fear or avoidance of social situations. It often stems from overwhelming worry about being judged, rejected or humiliated by others. The most common symptoms can include sweating, trouble speaking and feeling self-conscious. Social anxiety can impact a person’s everyday routines and activities.

6 ways social anxiety can impact everyday activities

The symptoms of social anxiety can occur in anticipation of a social situation, while it’s happening and after it’s over. However, symptoms don’t only develop during parties or while speaking in public to a room full of strangers. There are everyday occurrences that can cause social anxiety symptoms, including difficulties with:

1. Meeting someone new — While you may not meet someone new on a daily basis, it’s something that we all do from time to time, whether that means meeting a new co-worker, neighbor, or friend of a friend. It can cause social anxiety because you want to make a good first impression, and you might be worried about coming off as rude or saying something “wrong.” You may replay every moment of the interaction and overanalyze how you acted.
2. Checking out at a store — Even though online shopping has become so prevalent in many of our shopping habits, it’s impossible to completely ignore an in-person store, such as a grocery store or paying for gas inside. Talking to a cashier can be difficult for a person with social anxiety because they’re worried about making a mistake or being judged by other customers.
3. Talking during a meeting — Having team meetings is a pivotal aspect of many jobs. It’s possible that you’ll be assigned a presentation that you have to make or you’ll need to confirm a project’s progress when asked about it by your boss during a meeting. For people with social anxiety, it can be incredibly nerve racking to talk at a meeting in front of colleagues, due to fear of seeming incompetent or saying something that may be perceived as unintelligent.

1. Using a public restroom — While going to the bathroom is part of regular body functions, it’s often seen as embarrassing. A person with social anxiety may avoid using public restrooms at all costs, even when that could increase the risk of an accident or medical issue. They could have an extreme fear of being judged or humiliated by others for their natural bathroom activities.
2. Eating in public — Whether it’s a special occasion, there are no groceries at home, or just as a treat, we all go out to eat every once in a while at a sit-down restaurant or in a public eating area, such as a food court. For some people, eating in public can cause social anxiety symptoms, such as an overwhelming fear of being judged or embarrassed for how they eat, such as getting sauce on their face.
3. Making eye contact — Eye contact plays a significant role in everyday social interactions. It showcases confidence, attentiveness, and respect for the other person. However, it’s not always easy to make eye contact when you’re talking to someone, especially if you have social anxiety. Eye contact can be a way to be assessed and judged, which can cause nervous feelings.

Lightfully Behavioral Health can help alleviate social anxiety symptoms in everyday situations

Social anxiety can impact a person’s overall quality of life. It can make it difficult to make new friends, form romantic relationships and engage with community members. If you’re experiencing symptoms of social anxiety, talk to your doctor. They will help you take the next steps for treatment, such as psychotherapy.

If you require further support for your social anxiety beyond outpatient therapy appointments, our Lightfully levels of care are worth considering. We provide Residential Treatment (RTC), a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP), a Partial Hospitalization Program and an Intensive Outpatient Program. We treat your whole person, not just your social anxiety. Because you’re more than your diagnosis.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to address your social anxiety symptoms, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.