Anxiety About Social Interaction

Social interaction can make you feel panicky and can be an anxiety provoking situation. It may be as simple as attending a party or having guests and relatives at home, or going up to the stage to collect your trophy or medal, making a public speech or announcement, hosting a ceremony at your home, being a part of a get together etc.

The anxiety may arise out of various reasons. The predominant one may be fear of being on the spot, being imperfect, fear of committing a mistake, of being ridiculed, criticized or judged poorly. You may be a person who cannot manage to be the center of attraction or in a spot. The thought that everybody is noticing you and may be forming a judgment about you can create panic.

You may feel extremely self conscious may feel like you are watching your every move so that you do not appear clumsy, you do not commit a mistake, do not appear awkward, out of place or not in sync with the people present. Due to the caution you exercise, you may exaggerate your guarded approach and this may make you even more prominent among people.

You may think ten times before uttering a comment or saying something for fear of being misunderstood, offending someone unintentionally, embarrassment, fear of appearing foolish or being mocked at or opposed/criticized by others.

It could be a pointer towards the poor impression you have about yourself. The past experiences of similar events and the way people reacted may be the cause of panic while social interaction takes place. Deep within, it may also be your need for being validated, accepted, acknowledged, respected and valued by people you interact with. You cannot bear to be opposed or challenged by anyone and you may fear this very much.

Low self opinion, embarrassment about yourself, self pity, lack of confidence, low self worth, inferiority complex, introversion and reserved nature could be the reasons that create anxiety. You may be a person who gains self-confidence and esteem by external factors and social acknowledgement. You may have a need to be perfect, and that pressure provokes anxiety in you.