Social Anxiety & Low Self Esteem: How They Are Related

By: Brianna Richardson

What is Social Anxiety?

Social Anxiety Disorder (also known as Social Phobia), is an anxiety disorder in which a person feels intense worry when socializing with others. People who suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder often worry about being judged, humiliated and/or rejected by others in social situations. There are many factors that influence socially anxious behavior, one of them being low self-esteem.

What is Low Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is the introspective beliefs about one’s own capabilities, value, and personal worth. Self-esteem exists on a spectrum that ranges from high to low. When an individual has low self-esteem, he or she has little to no confidence in their personal worth, value, and/or capabilities.

            Low self-esteem presents itself in thought patterns known as negative self-talk.

            Here are some examples…

                        ‘Don’t say anything. It’s probably going to come off weird, and you’ll embarrass yourself in front of everyone.’

                        ‘I’m not as funny as everyone else here. They probably don’t think I belong here, maybe I should just leave? But what if that makes them think I’m rude? I don’t know what to do…’

                        This person is experiencing low self-esteem, ‘I’m going to come off weird’; ‘I’m not as funny’, which is influencing their social behavior.

Other Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder:

• Fear of saying or doing something wrong.
• Lack of understanding social cues. (overthinking social cues)
• Intense worry about being perceived as weird, awkward, or (unintentionally) rude.

If you or someone you know is experiencing social anxiety or low self-esteem please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561