9 Things Social Anxiety Makes Us Do

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is defined as an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This fear can affect work, school, and other daily activities. Do you ever feel like all eyes are on you, just waiting for you to slip up or do something embarrassing? Do you always feel like this? It’s important to note that social anxiety is much more than shyness, as well; shyness is considered a normal facet of one’s personality, whereas social anxiety is not. If you suffer from social anxiety and want to learn more about that, here are some of the things social anxiety makes us do.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that this video is purely for educational and interest purposes and is not to be used to self-diagnose social anxiety. If you or somebody you know suspects that they may be suffering from social anxiety, get in touch with your doctor or mental health service to discuss your symptoms further.

Writer: Gabrielle LaFrank
Script Editor: Morgan Franz
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
VO: Amanda Silvera
Animator: Marissa Rose
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

Stein, M.B. & Walker, J.R. (2002). Triumph Over Shyness: Conquering Social Anxiety Disorder. (2nd ed.). Mcgraw-Hill

[inbasicterms-popculturevid]

Anxiety is not being able to sleep because you said something wrong two years ago and can't stop thinking about it

[Daisy]

Social anxiety is constantly worrying about how you walk, how you sit, how you eat, how you look and how you talk when you're around people. It's mentally draining.

[professionalidiot]

“Stand up and tell the class a little bit about yourself”
Social anxiety: allow me to introduce myself

[ashbozuk]

Worst part is if I sent this to my mom she’d say:
“You don’t even have any of these! Social anxiety is a sickness, you’re not sick. You’re just shy that’s all.”

[anskeyfamily]

I find it slightly ironic that the acronym for Social Anxiety Disorder is SAD...

[CynthiaCho]

Having social anxiety can ruin so many opportunities but it’s SO HARD WHEN YOU HAVE SOCIAL ANXIETY 😭😭

[axi]

Me: Literally just sitting in class

Social anxiety: I bet everyone is judging you for sitting like that

[piper]

I constantly feel like I’m annoying people, that’s why I constantly distance myself away from others. My whole life has been changed because of my anxiety. I’m even afraid of joining a sport because I feel like everyone around is judging me because of how I perform said sport. It’s very hard living life with anxiety.

[_jadeisgreen]

It started with shyness-….. it ended with social anxiety-

[wannabe.historian]

Me: Just sitting in class
*someone talking and laughing somewhere in class*
My anxiety: I bet they're laughing at you

[taniapedraza]

I don't know why but when I am walking alone mostly in school I feel like people are going to pity me because they think I am alone or because I am just walking in circles..

[ninecuevas]

Can anyone relate to crying during arguments or when being scolded as a kid, not because you were frustrated but because it was embarrassing. My entire childhood I never understood why I’d cry, but then I realized that it was so embarrassing to me that I was in trouble.

[manzanita]

me: literally breaths
social anxiety: *your breathing too loud people are staring at you*
it's like every little mistake that I do makes me feel like I just let the world down...

[dkfmoni]

This world is too cruel for someone like me who's introvert, shy and got social anxiety easily!

[ellieequizi]

me: i'm sick of being afraid all of the time
friend: you should talk to a therapist
social anxiety: TALK?! to a stranger?! LOL

[nadawaell_]

I would literally sit uncomfortable for hours in class bec adjusting the chair would make a noise and everyone’s attention would be on me.

[xyrotus]

*me and my classmates eating at the same table*
me, thirsty: huh i should drink
my classmate: *drinks before I even go for the glass*
me: K. NOPE. no drinking for at least 5 minutes or else ill come off as a copycat and everyone will hate me.

[celinetanio]

Me: going shopping for new clothes
Social anxiety: I bet everyone is judging the clothes you pick out rn

[DafinaNotAwesome]

“why don’t you make eye contact, it’s not that hard?!”
me: 🙂

[noahhhhhhnoodle]

I have social anxiety, my mom says I'm just shy. It has gotten to the point where she forces me to talk to people and I end up getting super anxious and I end up backing out of it. My mom says I'm just shy but I know it is more