These are some symptoms described by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Jed Foundation:
Blushing, feeling embarrassed/anxious
Sweating/trembling
Heart palpitations
Stomachaches/feeling nauseous
Stiff posture
Speaking softly
Difficulty making eye contact
Difficulty being around strangers
Feeling that your mind has gone blank
Fear of being judged by others, being self-consciousÂ
Fearing that someone will notice that you look anxious
Feeling embarrassed constantly
Avoiding places with other people/situations where you are the center of attention
Refraining from certain things to avoid feeling embarrassed
Overthinking social situations after the event
Expecting the worst possible consequences from a negative experience
The causes of social anxiety are not fully known. However, both genes and environmental factors such as childhood experiences (trauma, parenting, learning from others) can be causes of this disorder.
For some people, social anxiety disorder is very severe and affects them in their daily lives. This disorder affects their relationships with others and keeps them from doing certain things. Sometimes, these individuals avoid interactions completely due to fears developed due to the disorder. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to seek professional help or learn new ways to cope with your anxiety.