Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways and in a variety of situations. You might feel okay most of the time, but when you find yourself in social settings, those anxious thoughts creep in.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re likely dealing with social anxiety. There are many factors that contribute to social anxiety, and getting to the bottom of what’s causing yours can help. But, don’t be afraid to look past some of the common causes and recognize that a fear of failure could be fueling your social anxiety.
How does that work? What does failure have to do with social interactions? They’re connected more than you might think.
A Fear of Failure Limits You
Anxiety tends to create negative thoughts to take over everything at any given time. It’s hard to focus on anything else as those thoughts become louder and more distracting. Often, anxiety is rooted in a fear of the unknown. It can also be rooted in a fear of failure.
Maybe you’ve failed in the past. If so, you’re just like everyone else. But, when you make a mistake or fail in front of others, it can trigger social anxiety and cause you to become terrified of failing again.
That limits your social life and your overall quality of life, too. It limits you from trying new things, putting yourself out there, and fostering new and existing skills. You’re also less likely to meet new people, and your current relationships could be hindered.
A Fear of Failure Causes Isolation
When you think about failing, especially in front of others, you might think it’s easier to hide away and avoid social interactions. Unfortunately, that can lead to isolation.
While you might think that’s the goal, isolation is a serious issue that can contribute to both mental and physical health issues. Isolation can lead to stress and depression, and can even put you at a greater risk of physical health problems like heart disease and stroke.
It also creates a vicious cycle. The more you isolate yourself, the worse your mental health is likely to become, making it even more difficult to fight back against fear.
A Fear of Failure Shatters Self-Esteem
Whether your fear of failure stems from a past situation or not, it can destroy your self-confidence. It might cause you to feel like you’re not good enough or convince you that you’re going to mess up in front of people.
Again, that kind of thinking perpetuates the cycle of anxiety. The lower your self-esteem, the easier it is to feel scared when it comes to stepping into social situations.
A Fear of Failure Harms Relationships
When you’re constantly worried about messing up in front of others, you might avoid communicating with people — even people you’re already close to. Not only does it make it difficult to develop new relationships, but it can harm your existing ones.
When you have anxiety, having a support system in place is important. A fear of failure can prevent that, and you might feel like you have no one to lean on or listen when it comes to your worries and anxious thoughts.
Thankfully, it’s possible to overcome a fear of failure and social anxiety — with the right help. If these problems sound familiar but you’re not ready to talk to your inner circle, consider connecting with a mental health professional.
Therapy is a great way to better understand the root cause of your social anxiety. You’ll also learn more about how fear could be fueling it. More importantly, it’s one of the best ways to overcome your social anxiety and improve your quality of life as you interact with others.
Begin working with a therapist for social anxiety in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and online in Arizona
If you are ready to feel more comfortable in your own skin please consider therapy for social anxiety through Crossroads Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Arizona Counseling Centers. Our Relationship Centers are located throughout the valley with counseling centers located in Phoenix, Anthem, Scottsdale and throughout all of Arizona with online counseling. You can start your therapy journey by following these steps:
- Contact Crossroads Counseling for a complimentary 20-minute phone consult.
- Meet with a social anxiety therapist.
- Start feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Our offices are located throughout the valley with counseling centers located in Phoenix, Anthem, and Scottsdale. Call us at 623-680-3486,text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com. We offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to answer your questions and better understand how we can help you.
Click here for more information on anxiety therapy. Also, check out our anxiety counseling video below…
