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50 Memes That You Might Find Painfully Relatable If You Have Social Anxiety
Interview With Expert
Do your palms get sweaty when your phone starts ringing and you realize you’ll have to answer it? Do you have to hype yourself up for 15 minutes before approaching an employee in a store to ask for help? Are you thrilled when your friends cancel plans last minute, and you get to spend an evening by yourself?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, first of all, you’re not alone. And second, you seem to have come to the right place! We took a trip to the Social Anxiety Memes Instagram account and gathered some of their most relatable posts below. So enjoy scrolling through, and keep reading to find a conversation with Arlin Cuncic of About Social Anxiety!
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#2
Regina Holt 5 months ago
No, I cannot imagine. Well, I can use my imagination, but that's about it.
To learn more about this topic, we got in touch with Arlin Cuncic of About Social Anxiety. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain what it's like to experience social anxiety.
"Social anxiety is a strong fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social situations," Arlin says. "It's more than feeling shy - it can show up as overthinking what you said, avoiding social events, or feeling physical symptoms like a racing heart or blushing. If these reactions happen often and start interfering with your daily life, relationships or work, it could be social anxiety."
So what are some of the best ways to treat social anxiety? "Gradually facing the situations you fear is one of the best ways to reduce social anxiety," Arlin shared. "Tools like CBT techniques, mindfulness, and journaling can also help. It might not disappear completely for everyone, but it can become much more manageable - something that no longer runs your life."
#9
RiceRiceBaby 929 5 months ago
It's better than stressing over something you can't change. I'm content in my bubble 🫧 😌
We also asked the expert if there's anything loved ones can do to help someone struggling with social anxiety. "Be patient and supportive without pushing them into situations they're not ready for. Instead of saying, 'just relax' or 'don't worry,' try asking what would make them feel more comfortable," Arlin noted. "Encouragement is helpful - pressure usually isn't. Small, consistent support goes a long way."
"On my website, they can find practical, evidence-informed resources to help with social anxiety," she added. "This includes a free resource library, guided workbooks, and an online masterclass designed to support people step-by-step toward feeling better."
#10
The Majestic Opossum 5 months ago
I prefer to think of the opportunities I've taken because of the ones I "missed"
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, support groups might even be able to help those struggling with social anxiety. And while it might be difficult to find others who are willing to openly discuss their mental health issues, pages like Social Anxiety Memes can allow individuals to know that they’re not alone. In fact, there are plenty of other people who feel the same way! There’s no need to suffer in silence.
#13
Nadine Bamberger 5 months ago
That's the face of someone calm, collected and totally NOT freaking out at alll 😂
Another underrated method of combatting social anxiety is using humor to cope. But the Social Anxiety Institute notes on their website that laughter really can be medicine when it comes to social phobia. They first explain that the endorphins we get flooded with when laughing can cancel out the adrenaline and cortisol that people with social anxiety are often feeling the effects of. This can help them stay cool, calm and collected and remind them that they’re not actually in any danger.
#16
S P 5 months ago (edited)
Honestly, yes. Teach WELLNESS and BALANCE but also how anxiety and depression can be normal expected reactions to situations over which we have no control. And most importantly, how to tell when it's normal, normal and we need extra support, or problematic and we need intervention.
Of course, humor can bring about many social benefits as well. Laughter might make a person more comfortable expressing their true feelings, and it can quickly break the tension in any room. At the same time, humor brings people together and strengthens bonds, so laughing with others might make it much easier for socially anxious individuals to make friends.
#21
Doug Moyer 5 months ago
I don't think I'm more mature. I just have no interest in "celebrating". I don't want to be the focus. I absolutely don't want a gift. I'm not an introvert. All of that stuff is exhausting. So much pretending.
Because of all the benefits people with anxiety can experience from laughing, Dr. Richards at the Social Anxiety Institute says it should always be utilized in therapy groups. “I have the group stand up and begin to laugh,” he shared. “We don't laugh at anything specifically; we just laugh. Laughter seems forced and difficult at first, but the more you become accustomed to laughing for longer lengths, the more you feel natural and the easier it is to reduce feelings of self-consciousness.”
#22
Doug Moyer 5 months ago
That's what voicemail is for. My phone (which is also my work phone) has been on do not disturb mode and ringer off for several years.
We hope you’re enjoying your scroll through these memes about social anxiety, pandas. Keep upvoting the ones that you find particularly relatable, and let us know in the comments below if you’ve found any effective ways of managing your anxiety. Then, if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda article featuring similar memes, we’ve got the perfect list to visit next right here!
#25
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
Little known fact - the 'dawn chorus' is just the birds arguing, as usual
#36
#38
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
(best friend is now torn between 'happy to have you as a best friend' and 'want you to be happier by having more friends'
#39
#45
detective miller's hat 5 months ago
I would stare maniacally and unblinking at the teacher and that made most of them NEVER call on me.
#47
Michael Largey 5 months ago
With me it's different. I will ask that staff member so I can get my shopping done as quickly as possible and flee for home.
#48
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
We're all cautious about possible changes to our friends. This is a good thing - it's called "looking out for them". Nobody can tell for sure if we're over-analysing - until so much later that their assistance is worthless. Sometimes, we just have to take life second by second
#51
#55
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
No, I've just decided to let the world spin on without me being centre-stage
#59
Nicole Weymann 5 months ago
Exiting Aldi's on a Wednesday morning: "Bye! Have a nive weekend!"
#61
#62
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 5 months ago
Yep. I'd rather do more physical work than expend the mental energy of telling others how to help and ensuring stuff actually got done right.
#63
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
Needs a differentiation between "social skills with people you hardly know" and "social skills with a close friend who knows you better than you know yourself"
#65
#69
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
It's only an excuse if they decide to accept it. Up till then, it's an explanation of your failures
#78
#79
#81
#83
Michael Largey 5 months ago
Remember that "tell me about yourself" and "tell me the truth about yourself" are two entirely separate requests.
#88
#89
Regina Holt 5 months ago
The less noise there is around me, the louder my tinnitus is. Makes falling asleep without music hard.
#100
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
How do you know the other person is actually OK? "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about". Be kind
#102
Nicole Weymann 5 months ago (edited)
Yupp, me at work where 80% of my phonecalls is about one specific topic that is outside of my responsibilities and means. "Here is the number of the department" - "Oh, thank you. You see we've been having this problem for sone time now, and after all we do pay for the service" - "Yes, I understand, it's annoying and I'm sorry. So if you call the department with the number I gave you..." - "Yes, I will. I didn't say anything the first two times it happened, because mistakes can happen, but......." JUST CALL THE D**N NUMBER AND TELL *THEM*!
#107
Andrew Keir 5 months ago
There's this new communications method that sometimes works - it's called 'speech'
#112
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Emilu 5 months ago
Don't get me wrong, these do sometimes make me laugh, but where are all the extrovert problem memes? Surely they exist. It's about 50/50 extroverts/introverts IIRC, maybe leaning a bit more toward the introverts? Even still. I'm not an extrovert but they deserve love too ❤️
Rick Murray 5 months ago
Extrovert problems: I have adopted a pet introvert, what do I do with it?
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Mel in Georgia 5 months ago
I have always been high on the introvert scale, but life and goals forced me into the world - and I think I'm better for it. I know I can do the things if I have to. I worry about celebrating anxious and introverted behavior because it literally limits people's lives and prevents them from learning what they can do if necessary - and doing things that might actually bring them joy and love. I will never desire to be the life of the party, but I can be at the party, and enjoy it - for exactly 3 hours, no more.
Emilu 5 months ago (edited)
This is me too, except I will never enjoy big gatherings like parties tend to be. I’m so grateful my parents kicked my a*s and made me get a job when I finished school. Said job was retail, and obviously you need to talk to people. I was socially challenged (to put it nicely) when I began but now I can easily hold a conversation one on one/one on two with strangers without sounding like a being from outer space. Just the parties still freak me out. Luckily my close friends know this and they’ll do something with me separately to celebrate whoever’s birthday it is. This isn’t introversion, though… this is social anxiety. I happen to be an introvert that has social anxiety. Not all introverts will avoid parties because they get freaked out like I do.
Load More Replies...
Ugh, do I have to? 5 months ago
my extroverted self felt like an alien while reading these... maybe we are just a different species lol
Emilu 5 months ago
Don't get me wrong, these do sometimes make me laugh, but where are all the extrovert problem memes? Surely they exist. It's about 50/50 extroverts/introverts IIRC, maybe leaning a bit more toward the introverts? Even still. I'm not an extrovert but they deserve love too ❤️
Rick Murray 5 months ago
Extrovert problems: I have adopted a pet introvert, what do I do with it?
Load More Replies... Mel in Georgia 5 months ago
I have always been high on the introvert scale, but life and goals forced me into the world - and I think I'm better for it. I know I can do the things if I have to. I worry about celebrating anxious and introverted behavior because it literally limits people's lives and prevents them from learning what they can do if necessary - and doing things that might actually bring them joy and love. I will never desire to be the life of the party, but I can be at the party, and enjoy it - for exactly 3 hours, no more.
Emilu 5 months ago (edited)
This is me too, except I will never enjoy big gatherings like parties tend to be. I’m so grateful my parents kicked my a*s and made me get a job when I finished school. Said job was retail, and obviously you need to talk to people. I was socially challenged (to put it nicely) when I began but now I can easily hold a conversation one on one/one on two with strangers without sounding like a being from outer space. Just the parties still freak me out. Luckily my close friends know this and they’ll do something with me separately to celebrate whoever’s birthday it is. This isn’t introversion, though… this is social anxiety. I happen to be an introvert that has social anxiety. Not all introverts will avoid parties because they get freaked out like I do.
Load More Replies... Ugh, do I have to? 5 months ago
my extroverted self felt like an alien while reading these... maybe we are just a different species lol
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