PsychCentral spoke to Leanza and Alva about how to overcome social awkwardness so you can start to feel more at ease in social situations.Īlva suggests the following tips for overcoming social awkwardness: Know that whether it’s social awkwardness, introversion, or social anxiety disorder, none of these are wrong - and you are not alone. This may help you decide how to best move forward. “They may also be more honest and sincere, which can be refreshing in a world of small talk and superficial interactions.” How do I know if I’m socially awkward?Ĭonsider reflecting after the next few social interactions to gauge how you feel afterward. Alejandro Alva, a medical doctor and board certified psychiatrist based in California. While it feels uncomfortable at the time, there are upsides to being socially awkward.įor example, “people who are socially awkward may be more observant and analytical, which can be beneficial in certain professions,” explains Dr. Nicholette Leanza, LPCC-S of LifeStance Health. On the other hand, if you feel intense anxiety over being judged, avoid social situations through fear, or experience panic attacks related to socializing, this could signal social anxiety disorder, according to Dr. If you feel drained by interacting with others and need to spend time alone to recharge your energy, this may point to an introverted personality trait. While they share some traits, they are not the same thing. It’s important to note that the terms social awkwardness, introversion, and social anxiety disorder are often confused with each other. When you’re in a social situation, social awkwardness may mean that you are: adults experience a social anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 12.1% of U.S. Social anxiety is more than just feeling shy. In many cases, social awkwardness comes from extreme anxiety. And you’re not the only one to experience this.Īccording to psychologist Ty Tashiro’s book “ Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome,” around 15% of people have social skill challenges and communication difficulties that are considered to make them socially awkward. But if this is your everyday experience, it can be draining. There might be some awkward laughing and uncomfortable silence. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, or say nothing at all while you overthink about saying the wrong thing. Social situations, especially when meeting new people, can be awkward. It feels unpleasant, but being socially awkward has some benefits, too. Social awkwardness is when you feel uncomfortable and out of place in social situations.
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