Living with Social Anxiety

Life can be hard enough, but dealing with anxiety on top of everything else can feel impossible at times.

I think the worst part about anxiety is how it can leave you feeling like you’re trapped in a shrinking room with no way to escape.

Luckily for me, I don’t have a severe amount of anxiety, but I do still deal with it on regular basis, especially in social situations. Having social anxiety is extremely frustrating because you fully understand that there’s no reason to be freaking out, yet no matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to help it or prevent it.

I’m not sure what everyone else goes through with their anxiety, but this is what it’s like for me.

It’s waiting until a class is over to throw something away because the thought of everyone looking at you is terrifying.

It’s absolutely cringing at the thought of having to meet new people. Will I say the right things? Are they going to like me? What if I say something offensive? These are some of the thoughts that flood your mind, making it hard to carry on a conversation no matter how hard you try.

It’s refusing to go to any social event without a friend by your side. I don’t know about you guys, but thinking about showing up to a party where I don’t know anyone makes me want to throw up.

It’s being terrified to talk on the phone, even if it’s something as simple as ordering food. That being said, this is something I have gotten a lot better at recently and I’m quite proud of that!

It’s keeping yourself up for hours at night, overthinking anything and everything.

It’s constantly questioning your relationship with people. Do they actually enjoy hanging out with me? Am I really fun or do they just choose me because no one else is available?

The worst part about social anxiety is wanting to hang out with people more than anything, but at the same time you're absolutely terrified. So you find ways to cope...like using you phone as a crutch...or escaping to the bathroom (which is my absolute favorite)! It really just gives you a minute or two to recompose yourself when you’re on the verge of a full-blown panic attack.

I think one of the most important things to do when you suffer from anxiety is to surround yourself with the right people. Being able to talk to others that suffer from anxiety is extremely helpful because it lets you know you’re not alone. They may even have some great tips when it comes to dealing with certain situations.

Even if the people you hang out with don’t have anxiety, it’s still important that they’re understanding of what you’re dealing with. They may not understand your anxiety on a personal level, but knowing that they’re there for you even when you’re having trouble can be quite positive in the mind of someone that constantly sends negative thoughts.

On the other hand, one of the worst things that someone dealing with anxiety can do is surround themselves with people that really don’t get it. No, we’re not just shy...anxiety is so much more than that. It affects you on a physical level as well.

When you’re on the verge of a panic attack you feel your whole body start to get warm. Next thing you know, your body is dripping in sweat, your heart is racing, and then your face turns bright red...which only causes you to panic more because you know people can tell that you’re freaking out.

As bad as all of that may sound, I still think there are a lot of good things that can come out of having anxiety.

Constantly overthinking everything can keep you quite motivated and organized. You’re always striving to be better and achieve more.

You’ll also become extremely observant and great at reading people...you know since you’re so worried about what they think and all.

Anxiety can really beat you down if you let it, or you can use it to your advantage. I always try to deal with it the best way I can. Yes, it’s really hard at times, but it’s who I am and I’m proud of that.

Anxiety might be a part of you, but you can’t let it define you.