social anxiety
Fear of judgment
Social anxiety is fear or discomfort in social situations, especially where one might be judged or scrutinized by others.
It ranges from mild nervousness before public speaking to a disorder that makes ordinary interactions—ordering food, making phone calls, attending parties—feel overwhelming: Her social anxiety kept her from networking events.
The term has become common as mental health vocabulary enters everyday speech.
Intense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- worryTroubled mental state
- uneaseMild persistent worry
nervousness · intimidation · insecurity · self-consciousness · embarrassment · judgment · rejection · scrutiny
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
hyperventilation · nausea · stammering · freezing · blank mind · dry mouth · shaky voice · racing thoughts
Act of taking away
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- escapeFlight from captivity
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- isolationComplete separation from others
distancing · dodging · hesitation · canceling plans · avoiding eye contact · hiding · deflection · procrastination
Organized social gatherings
- presentationsFormal informative addresses
- meetingsOrganized group assemblies
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
- phone callsAuditory telecommunication sessions
small talk · crowds · strangers · dating · public speaking · networking · performances · introductions
Identification of illness
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- psychiatryMental health medicine
- psychologistMental behavior specialist
treatment · CBT · psychotherapy · medication · antidepressants · SSRIs · exposure therapy · DSM
Deliberate slow inhalation practice
- groundingConnecting to earth
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- journalingRegular personal writing practice
- self-talkSpeaking to oneself mentally
preparation · exposure · practice · affirmations · visualization · meditation · therapy · support system
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- worryTroubled mental state
unease · nervousness · intimidation · insecurity · self-consciousness · embarrassment · judgment · rejection · scrutiny · humiliation
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- blushingFacial reddening from embarrassment
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
heart-pounding · hyperventilation · nausea · stammering · freezing · blank mind · dry mouth · shaky voice · racing thoughts · butterflies
withdrawal
Act of taking away
isolation · distancing · dodging · hesitation · canceling plans · avoiding eye contact · hiding · deflection · procrastination · screening calls
parties
Organized social gatherings
- presentationsFormal informative addresses
- meetingsOrganized group assemblies
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
phone calls · small talk · crowds · strangers · dating · public speaking · networking · performances · introductions · confrontation
diagnosis
Identification of illness
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- psychiatryMental health medicine
psychologist · treatment · CBT · psychotherapy · medication · antidepressants · SSRIs · exposure therapy · DSM · SAD
deep breathing
Deliberate slow inhalation practice
- groundingConnecting to earth
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- journalingRegular personal writing practice
self-talk · preparation · exposure · practice · affirmations · visualization · meditation · therapy · support system · breathing exercises
- adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
- Anxietynervousness, panic, worry, dread, uneasiness
- social developmentfriendship, belonging, sharing, turn-taking, peer groups
- awkward momentsoops, cringe, embarrassment, yikes, awkward
- personal strugglesself-doubt, loneliness, insecurity, depression, low self-esteem
- teen anxietypeer pressure, self-doubt, nervousness, worry, insecurity
social anxietyextroversion
Outward-focused temperament
self-assurance · gregariousness · poise · outgoingness · composure
social anxietyextroversion
Outward-focused temperament
sociability · gregariousness · people person · social butterfly · life of the party
social anxietysocial security
Public financial protection programs
self-assurance · self-confidence · inner calm · equanimity · peace of mind
social, society, anxiety, anxious, associate, association, sociable, antisocial, socialize