If you find yourself feeling nervous or uncomfortable in specific social situations, you’re not alone. While many people struggle with different types of social anxiety, the good news is that it can be overcome with the right strategies. Understanding different types of social anxiety is often the first step to managing and conquering them.
Anxiety can affect younger children and adults alike. If you’re looking for tips to overcome general anxiety, some of these might be applicable in social situations. Below are five types of social anxiety and some tips for overcoming them.
Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety involves the fear of being judged negatively in any type of social performance situation. This can include situations such as public speaking, presentations, or even casual conversation. The anxiety comes from the desire to perform well in a situation that is often unfamiliar.
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization exercises can often help you overcome performance anxiety. Making mistakes is normal and human and doesn’t diminish your worth as a person.
Interpersonal Anxiety
Interpersonal anxiety involves fears related to your interactions with other people. Some of these fears may include fear of rejection, criticism, or conflict. People afflicted with interpersonal anxiety may avoid certain social situations altogether. They may also struggle to initiate or maintain relationships.
Overcoming interpersonal anxiety may include challenging your own negative thought patterns or beliefs about yourself and others. You may need to expose yourself gradually to certain social situations and start small, increasing exposure over time.
Assertiveness Anxiety
Assertiveness anxiety also comes out in interactions with others, but it specifically involves difficulty asserting your needs, preferences, or boundaries in certain social situations. People may struggle to speak up for themselves or say no to others. This often leads to feelings of resentment or frustration.
Overcoming assertiveness anxiety begins with practicing assertiveness skills. This can be as simple as using “I” statements such as “I am concerned about the deadline,” or “I feel frustrated when you don’t take the garbage out.” It’s important for people to understand that it’s ok to prioritize your own needs and wellbeing.
Judgment Anxiety
Judgment anxiety involves the fear of being negatively evaluated or criticized. This particular type of social anxiety can be fueled by social media, where there is often pressure to present a perfect image of yourself.
The best way to overcome judgment anxiety is to cultivate self-compassion and focus on your own values and priorities, independently of others’ approval. It’s important to remember that everyone has insecurities, and they are part of human nature. Most people are too focused on themselves to judge you harshly.
Social Performance Anxiety
This is similar to performance anxiety, but relates to parties, networking events, or other social gatherings. A common fear is saying the wrong thing, being awkward, or not fitting in with others at the event.
To overcome social performance anxiety, you can practice mindfulness techniques to stay present in the moment and focus on the conversation. This helps you prioritize what’s being talked about over how you’re being perceived. You can challenge perfectionist tendencies and accept the idea it’s ok to be imperfect or vulnerable.
Book An Appointment With A Therapist
Social anxiety can take many forms but it’s not impossible to overcome. When you understand the root cause, you can better implement the strategies you need to overcome the situation. A talk therapist can help you to challenge your thought patterns and behaviors so that you can approach social situations with greater confidence.
If you’re looking for effective strategies to overcome anxiety, or help with certain social situations, we can help. Book an appointment with Dean A. Aman, LPCMH today!