7 Signs You Might Have Social Anxiety Disorder

You might get nervous or anxious from time to time— when talking in public, for instance, or when going through stress in life. But for some people, however, anxiety becomes so frequent, or so forceful, that it begins to take over their lives.

Here are some common signs and symptoms of anxiety:

1. You keep making excuses not to go to social events

Avoiding the situations that make you uncomfortable is second nature to you. Whether it’s your friend’s birthday party, brother’s wedding, or work happy hour, you’ll find an excuse not to go. You really want to go, but you’re plagued by constant worries that no one will want you there or that you’ll embarrass yourself.

2. You avoid eye contact during meetings

Meetings can be nerve wracking. You’re not sure when someone will want your opinion, so you do your best to avoid looking at anyone directly. Speaking up at meetings is intimidating because during that moment, everyone is looking at you, listening, and possibly judging you, so staying quiet during meetings seems like the best plan of action. When talking is unavoidable, your nerves still keep you from looking at anyone directly. Instead, you might look down at the judgment-free table or at your hands in hopes that if you don’t look at anyone you won’t have to talk as much.

3. Your phone is a constant sidekick to keep other people from approaching you

Smartphones have provided a new way to avoid talking to people. As soon as you’re on your own at a social event, your phone becomes your sidekick and crutch that you just can’t seem to put down. If you look focused enough, maybe you’ll convince everyone else that you’re busy handling something important that just can’t be interrupted. They might think you’re texting someone important or answering a work email when you’re really just scrolling through Instagram.

4. You start sweating when someone unexpectedly starts talking to you

Maybe it’s someone asking about your weekend on your bus commute to work. Or perhaps a co-worker is interested in what you’re working on. Even though these are totally simple conversations not meant to put you on edge, you feel flustered and overwhelmed because you weren’t prepared to talk to someone. You do your best to keep up the conversation, but all you can think about now is how sweaty you are, which just makes you sweat more!

5. You keep putting off scheduling appointments to avoid a phone call

Phone calls are sometimes even more awkward than talking to someone in person. Maybe you’ll bumble through the dance where you cut the other person off repeatedly. And without body language, who knows if the other person is interested in what you’re saying. Avoiding phone calls altogether seems easiest. So, although it might have been years since you’ve been to the doctor, you tell yourself you probably don’t need a physical. Or maybe you’ve been meaning to call your landlord to fix the leaky sink, but on second thought, maybe it’s something that you can live with.

6. You “blackout” during presentations

Speaking in front of people makes you so nervous that as soon as you start talking, all you can hear is your heart pounding. Before you know it, the presentation is over, but you can’t remember any of it. You were too busy focusing on how nervous you were to pay attention to the words you were saying. Afterwards, you feel like you messed up, and without being able to remember anything, there’s no way to know otherwise. Even if people say you did well, you feel like a failure because your nerves got the best of you.

7. You can’t stop blushing when you talk to someone you find attractive

You’ve worked up the nerve to talk to someone cute and you’re doing your best to keep up a conversation. You’re not sure how you’re doing and your mind starts going into overdrive – maybe you’re actually boring them or they think you’re unintelligent. They might be wondering why you’re even talking to them. Suddenly it feels like your body is turning against you. Your face gets warmer and warmer until all you can focus on is how red you probably are.The idea that this person will ever want to go out with you is suddenly so ridiculous, you’re not sure why you’re even still talking.