By Reina Bayoud | Staff Writer
Following almost two years of online classes, we are finally going back to our old lives. However, we are finding ourselves divided into two groups: those who can’t wait to get back to their social lives, and those whose anxiety and discomfort are triggered at the idea of having to socialize again.
During the lockdown, we were suddenly forced to alter our behavior and lifestyle. To many, this meant going from having a bustling social life, to sitting in complete isolation, avoiding all face-to-face interactions, and getting used to being alone. Our academic lives were affected as well, with many getting used to participating through a chat box and hiding behind turned-off cameras while delivering presentations. And while we waited patiently for the return of our social lives, most of us weren’t aware of the consequences isolation would have on us.
If you’re finding yourself falling into a train of anxious thoughts, an inability to cope, and constant stress during class time, you are not alone: what you are experiencing is social anxiety. Before we go any further, allow me to define the term. Social anxiety is a type of phobia in which the person feels strongly anxious or worried in social situations, even those that are not intense or fear-inducing. In today’s case, coming out of lockdown triggered social anxiety for many, even in regular day-to-day activities that were normally done before.
For people with pre-existing social anxiety, returning to campus has been a difficult experience. In such cases, it is important to know what originally led to their issue. Some of the main causes of social anxiety are genetics, traumatic experiences, and the way the person is raised. Such cases of social anxiety can start from a young age, or can develop over time. Even though this group of students have prior experience with social anxiety, returning to campus may have . They could be feeling anxious about being exposed to social activities again, recalling prior traumatic experiences they went through or remembering places on campus that trigger bad memories.
Some people, however, developed social anxiety after coming out of lockdown and returning to campus. This is something I can relate to, since I have personally experienced it… I never had issues socializing or communicating, and I rarely felt overwhelmed or stressed due to minor social inconveniences. However, over the course of the lockdown, something changed. The more I sat by myself, the more time I had to reflect on my insecurities.
The first time I experienced social anxiety was going out with friends for the first time, after lockdown restrictions were eased. At the time, I was unaware of what I was feeling, and why I was feeling it. It was only when I learned that we’re returning to campus that I really witnessed the full effects social anxiety can have. Thinking about socializing again, communicating with friends, and participating in class stressed me out, even making me physically ill.
After going through this experience, I can easily describe some of the symptoms.The most common symptom is feeling nauseous. Moreover, many people experience dizziness, along with rapid heartbeats. However, the most prominent symptom is difficulty speaking. Some may have a hard time formulating sentences, while others find it hard speaking loudly and clearly. Some may even opt to stay quiet in social situations, feeding into their social anxiety even more.
Social anxiety can affect a person’s everyday life and limit the activities they are willing to participate in, which is why people dealing with it have to learn how to cope with it. Fortunately, there are several proven steps to take in order to alleviate some of the symptoms
First, recognize yourself. In order to know whether a situation triggers your social anxiety or not, you need to know what your symptoms are. It is important to realize how your body reacts to such stressful and triggering situations.
Second, recognize triggering situations. People with social anxiety are mainly concerned with how they are perceived by others. However, it is important to know what situations strongly trigger these thoughts and make the person overthink and become overwhelmed.
Third, recognize your fears. After you realize your symptoms and the situations that trigger you most, expose yourself to such situations. Such actions can be taken using small steps. Make eye contact more, especially with strangers. Greet strangers, thank them and apologize when needed. Smile at your friends, colleagues, and professors. Then, prepare yourself to take bigger steps. Make plans with friends and family. Volunteer to present first. Start a conversation or indulge in one.
If all else fails, seek professional help. If you tried to overcome social anxiety by yourself and failed to find the most suitable method to cope with it, refer to a professional who can help you find the most optimal method to deal with it. Refer to a therapist to come up with a healthy routine to overcome it, as well as refer you to a support group, consisting of like-minded individuals, encouraging you to develop your social skills.
Especially after lockdown, it is easy to assume that you are the only one struggling with social anxiety. However, keep in mind that different people have different ways of showing it (or not showing it in some cases), and coping with it. Find your momentum, listen to your body, and understand your symptoms. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to social anxiety; each person must do what works best for them.