Mental Health and Wellbeing Information
Social Anxiety Disorder
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia), is a persistent and overwhelming fear of social situations and is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is much more than "shyness", it can be intense fear and anxiety over simple everyday activities.
Someone with social anxiety disorder will worry excessively about social situations, before, during and afterwards. They fear doing or saying something which they think will be embarrassing or humiliating, such as blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent.
It is a type of phobia which can have a disruptive or disabling impact on a person's life and can severely affect a person's confidence and self-esteem, have an impact on working relationships and impair performance in the workplace.
Social anxiety disorder often starts during childhood or adolescence and tends to be more common in women. It's a recognised disorder that can be effectively treated.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Physical Effects
- Blushing
- Sweating
- Racing heart
- Shaking or tremor
- Dry mouth
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling faint
Anxious Thoughts
- "Everyone is staring at me"
- "I don't belong here"
- "I won't have anything to say"
- "People will see how nervous I am"
- "They won't want to talk to me again"
- "I will keep looking more and more foolish"
Possible Impacts in the Workplace
- Dread everyday activities
- Avoid talking in groups or starting conversations
- Avoid speaking on the telephone
- Avoid talking to authority figures
- Leaving situations
- Only entering "safe" places or with "safe people"
- Using mobile phones, MP3 players, or other devices to avoid being in conversations
- Apologizing excessively
- Asking for reassurance from others
- Preparing excessively (memorizing what to say, extreme grooming)
- Trying to direct colleagues attention from one's performance i.e making jokes
- Watching for signs that people are judging
- Avoiding social situations
- Avoiding eye contact
- Fear of being critisised
- Have low self esteem
- Misuse drugs or alcohol to try to reduce anxiety levels
- Increased sickness Absence
- Performance issues
How can I help myself?
If you think you have symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder, contact your GP or have a discussion with your line manager who may refer you to Occupational Health.
You can access our self help page for advice and tips: how to maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.