July is Social Wellness Month, a time to recognize the importance of healthy interpersonal connections and the mental well-being that comes from meaningful relationships. However, even simple interactions can feel overwhelming or paralyzing for people living with social anxiety disorder, causing avoidance that prevents them from engaging fully with life.
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social phobia is a mental health condition characterized by intense fear, self-consciousness, or embarrassment in social situations. Unlike occasional shyness or awkwardness, social anxiety can be chronic and interfere with your daily responsibilities. It may affect everything from making small talk to eating in public or speaking in meetings.
Common symptoms include:
- Intense fear of judgment or criticism
- Rapid heartbeat, sweating, or shaking during interactions
- Difficulty maintaining eye contact or initiating conversation
- Persistent worry about upcoming events where you’ll have to be “on”
Social Anxiety vs. Introversion
Social anxiety disorder and introversion share similar tendencies, but they aren’t the same. Introversion is a personality trait, while social anxiety is a treatable mental health condition.
- Introverts may prefer peace and solitude instead of going to noisy, crowded settings, without necessarily feeling distress or fear about socializing.
- Socially anxious people might genuinely crave connections, but overwhelming psychological and physical discomfort holds them back.
What Causes Social Anxiety?
There is no single cause of social anxiety disorder. It often results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
- Family history: A predisposition to anxiety disorders tends to run in families.
- Trauma or bullying: Negative early social experiences can contribute to feelings of fear and vulnerability.
- Low self-esteem: People who struggle with their self-worth may feel especially sensitive to perceived rejection or judgment.
- Overactive amygdala: This part of the brain regulates fear, and an overactive response may contribute to heightened anxiety in social settings.
- Parenting style: Overprotective or highly critical caregivers can unintentionally model anxious attachments or create fear around judgment and failure.
When to Get Treatment
It may be time to seek professional help if social anxiety interferes with your relationships, work, or ability to participate in everyday moments. Signs you may benefit from treatment include:
- Avoiding opportunities due to fear of embarrassment
- Ruminating over past social interactions
- Feeling physically ill or panicked before socializing
- Struggling with loneliness or isolation
- Noticing your anxiety limits your personal or professional growth
A Path to Connection at Foundation Stone Wellness
Foundation Stone Wellness provides compassionate, retreat-based care for people living with anxiety disorders. Our holistic programs address anxiety’s root causes and day-to-day challenges.
Our approach includes:
- Evidence-based practices like cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy
- Mindfulness and self-compassion
- Exercise to release tension and anxiety stored in your body
- Group work to build confidence and connection in a supportive environment
You deserve meaningful relationships and freedom from fear. Contact us today to start seeking healing and improved social wellness.