• Question: what are your thoughts on social anxiety and how it can prevent us from creating new friendships and relationships?

    Asked by emily_b to Sam, Kirsty, Ben on 15 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Ben Kenward

      Ben Kenward answered on 15 Jun 2017:

      I’m not at all an expert on this, but I have some idea. One thing I do know is that anxiety often comes from worries that are exaggerated. So, for example, we might worry that if we say something silly then everyone will think we are stupid and laugh at us behind our backs, when the reality is that most people forget the majority of what other people said five minutes after they said it. People who have problems dealing with other people often have worries that are exaggerated in this way. I know it’s easier said than done, but for those who feel very anxious it can be possible to convince themselves that their anxiety is exaggerated, and comes more from inside than from external reality, and this really can help.

    • Photo: Kirsty Miller

      Kirsty Miller answered on 16 Jun 2017:

      Hi Emily 🙂 Good question! Yes, certainly social anxiety can prevent us from making new friends, partly because it can stop us even meeting new people! It can also get in the way of your friendships, because we have to work on our friendships, but if you feel worried and have to withdraw then you may not be able to fulfil your duties as a friend….
      One good thing is that social media might be able to help because it gives us the opportunity to meet new people and build new relationship in a ‘safe’ and less-stessful way. In this way, it can be a good gateway – helping us gain confidence with relationships. People can also join groups to let them talk to other people who are also experiencing the same. It’s also easier to open up to people online, so there are various ways that this could help!

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