I know this is a little off topic (but not much), but are you suffering from financial anxiety right now (in addition to social anxiety)?

I have had a general level of stress about financial matters since the end of the summer of 2008. The anxiety I feel from the financial world is quite a bit different than my social anxiety. With the financial anxiety, I have a sense of discomfort and unease about my family’s personal financial situation (even though I have a good job, and we are reasonably secure). The symptom that is similar to what I feel with social anxiety is my inability to focus or think clearly when my anxiety is high. I get distracted and unable to focus when I’m suffering from social anxiety, and also am unable to focus when I’m in one of my fits of financial anxiety.

The financial news and advertisements for debt consolidation, credit cards, foreclosure assistance, and payday loans don’t help matters.

I’m just hoping the financial anxiety comes to an end later in 2009. At least (I hope) it will go away (I can’t say as much for my social anxiety)!

There are a wide range of physical symptoms a social anxiety sufferer could experience if a person anticipates or are in a social anxiety provoking situation.  The severity of anxiety a person can experience might vary depending on the person.

Here is a list of common social situations that could induce an anxiety in someone who social anxiety disorder:

• Public speaking.
• Eating in public.
• Being interviewed by a stranger.
• Writing in public.
• Shopping.
• Speaking with strangers.
• Using the phone.
• Attending social events (e.g., parties, concerts)
• Using public restrooms.
• Talking with important people or authority figures.
• Crowds.
• Doing any sort of activity where the person might be watched. I.E, sexual interaction, standing in a line, or working.

If put in one of the above social anxiety provoking situations, a sufferer’s heart might start beating more rapidly and their palms may begin sweating. The person might soon start exhibiting all the signs of an anxiety attack; the response to flee the situation begins. The feelings or anxiety or panic don’t ease until after that person has left the anxiety causing situation.

Physical symptoms of social anxiety disorder vary from person to person but below is a common list of symptoms associated with this mental disorder.  Keep in mind that these symptoms could occur before (steadily increasing in severity before the event) or during the social anxiety causing event or situation:

• Rapid heartbeat.
• Involuntary twitching.
• Shaky voice.
• Dry mouth.
• Sweating.
• Muscle tension.
• Twitching.
• Upset stomach.
• Confusion.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Blushing.

Remember that the above list is just a “common” list of physical symptoms a person with social anxiety disorder could have. Also, now that you know what the symptoms are, you should contact a doctor to see if you actually do have social anxiety disorder.