8 Things People With Social Anxiety Crave

Connection

Though individuals with social anxiety fear people and social interaction, they do still want to have friends. Often, being alone can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Overcoming social anxiety through treatment and building social skills can help with this.

You don't have to feel alone! Everyone feels awkward trying to make new friends. Over time it will become easier. Give yourself the foundation to make it happen.

Understanding

More than anything, people with social anxiety disorder want to feel understood by others, both in terms of their symptoms and as a person. Learning about the disorder can help those who are trying to understand a loved one suffering from social anxiety.

If a friend or family member doesn't understand or chalks up your behavior to being "aloof," try printing out an article or loaning that person a book about social anxiety that explains how you feel.

Solitude

As much as those with social anxiety have a desire for connection, many also wish for times alone. When social anxiety overlaps with introversion, this can be a time to recharge batteries and gather strength for more interaction with others.

While extroverts gather strength from being around others, introverts need time alone to feel better. If you fall into this latter group, don't feel apologetic if you need a moment to yourself in the midst of a family gathering.

Stability

Emotional stability is a goal of many with social anxiety. You may wish to have better management of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, understand what triggers your social anxiety, and how you can maintain balance in the face of those situations.

Giving yourself a break will allow your feelings the space needed to lessen on their own.

Peace

Peace can be achieved in many ways by those with social anxiety, such as through mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and other practices designed to make you aware of the present moment and in tune with your body.

Acceptance and commitment therapy is one method that takes advantage of some of these "peaceful" exercises while working to reduce social anxiety. Those seeking peace may be well-suited to this type of therapy.

Confidence

Confidence grows as you gradually learn to face your fears and overcome them. Those with social anxiety often seek to appear more confident in social and performance situations.

Build your confidence gradually by facing the situations that you fear. Over time, you will become less sensitive to triggers and better able to feel confident and ​outgoing in these types of situations.

Fulfillment

People with social anxiety are sometimes blocked from achieving their goals, which can interfere with fulfillment. Having a purpose in life, setting goals, and setting out to achieve them despite having to face fears will lead to this sense of achievement.

Growth

Most people with social anxiety crave personal growth. Many of these individuals read self-help books and scour the internet in search of how to better themselves.