Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Vivian is a beautiful and lovely lady. She is always getting invites to hangout with her friends. She wants to go on a date, attend parties and conferences, meet new people but she can’t. Her friends have always been worried about her. They do not understand why she prefers being alone, staying indoors and not going out. Even when she does, she prefers isolating herself and not speaking to anyone. Vivian is the only one that understands how anxious, fearful and tensed she feels whenever she is in a public space.

Are you like Vivian? Or

Do you have a friend, sibling, colleague or boss that behaves like her?

They may have Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Here are thewarning signs to look out for to know if you are experiencing SAD or a loved one is experiencing SAD. There are psychological and physical symptoms.

Psychological Symptoms:

Experiencing constant fear of situations that you will be judged, ridiculed or that others will know that you are anxious

Constantly avoiding situations where you will be the centre of attention

You  experience intense fear of talking to/ interacting withnew people

You experience intense fear or anxiety during social events

Constant worry about humiliating or embarrassing yourself when you speak or participate in social activities

Needing alcohol to face a social situation

Analyzing your performance and identifying your flaws in your interactions after a social situation

In children, this disorder can be shown by crying, having temper tantrums, clinging to parents or refusing to speak in social situations.

Physical Symptoms:  They can sometimes accompany SAD and they include:

Blushing

Excessive sweating

Trembling or shaking

Fast heartbeat

Upset stomach or nausea

Difficulty in breathing or speaking

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Muscle tension

Triggers of Social Anxiety: People that experience SAD often avoid situations that may trigger their anxiety such as:

Meeting unfamiliar people or making eye contact

Talking to people at work or school

Being called to speak in class/ public

Starting conversations

Entering rooms

Eating or drinking in front of others

Dating

Using public restrooms

 There are cases in which these symptoms may not occur in all situations, you may have “selective or limited anxiety”. For example, the symptoms may only occur when you are interacting with people you just met or when you are eating in public. An extreme case of social anxiety disorder will present it symptoms in all social situations. You can also have performance type of SAD which is when you experience intense fear or anxiety during speaking or performing in public and not in the case of other social situations.

NOTE: It is normal to be anxious in certain social situation such as public speaking or meeting somebody for the first time. But when the anxiety is severe or you experience the symptoms listed above then you may have social anxiety disorder. It is advisable to seek for medical help as social anxiety disorder prevents you from living your life.

References

httpss://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176891#symptoms

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/social-phobia

By Alalade Opeyemi

I am a health writer and enthusiastic about improving lives through public dissemination of information about your health.

LinkedIn: Opeyemi Alalade

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