Do I have social anxiety?

Mental health
1

Hi all,

This has been playing on my mind for years now and is effecting my life. Any help I really would appreciate it. I am male, 26 years 

For years I have suffered with embarrassment, but that is quite a normal thing? Some people get embarrassed easily, some don’t. 

But that’s not just what is playing on my mind. Let me give you some examples of how it affects me.

Say I go out shopping for the day and I bump into a friend in a shop, a friend I am really friendly with, and I will go red in the face. It’s not as bad if I bump into them outdoors, but it’s worse in a shop. I am always looking around the shop hoping I don’t see anyone.

At work, we had a big huddle on the floor with our manager, around 60 of us stood in front of our manager whilst he gave a talk. At the end he asked if any of us had any questions. The girl stood next to me did. So everyone turned round to look at her, and cos I was stood close to her I went red in the face. 

My hand is always shaking. My friends notice it more than me. If I get nervous it shakes. 

I do come across as a really confident lad, but this whole embarrassment does get on my nerves.

When I speak to someone I can’t always get all my words out and up mumbling. Nothing major. But my lips just feel all weak. My words just don’t flow and I end up not making sense.

I even go red when talking to family members.

I hate talking in front of groups and try to avoid it.

I googled social anxiety, and that’s what I recon I have.

They say visit your local GP, but what can they do?

I honestly would pay thousands to get rid of it, that’s how much it annoys me and makes me sad.

Any advice really would be appreciated,

2

You should look into seeing a psychiatrist. I lm not really familiar with social anxiety because i was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. But from the looks of it, it sounds like that's what you have. Nothing to be alarmed about though l, youre not alone. You can make it go away by getting out more, meeting new people, & stop worrying so such. I know it's hard, but it's only a figment of your imagination. Wish you luck! xoxo

3

Hi. Speak to your doc about  your concerns. Definitely sounds like anxiety or social anxiety, being anxious around people , socialising, speaking in a social situation and feeling self conscious or foolish, also shaking when these situations arise is common with social anxiety, also don't know what you are like for instance if you had to use public transport and sit next to someone or speak to them for instance, all common signs, my anxiety is a lot better now and it can be controlled, I couldn't even sit in a cafe unless I sat at the back, I would sweat and shake. Hated walking my dogs incase I met people, would walk them at night, got to the point I would even hide from neighbours and not answer the door. Speak to your doctor, don't let it get any worse, there's lots of couciling( cbt) nowadays, . Also another sign would be if you are constantly replaying in your head what you said to people and how you came across, good luck, hope you get some reasurance.😊❤️