Posted by: Uticopa in social phobia on
Feb 04, 2009
Have you ever felt that you don't fit in at social gatherings? Maybe you have always had a low opinion of yourself, expect others to be equally critical and are constantly attuned to that first sign of rejection? This oversensitivity leads you to interpret benign feedback as negative, leaving you feeling distressed and wanting to go home again.
We are all meant to be sociable creatures. One of the first things we learn as babies is to copy mother's smile as she gazes adoringly down at us. We desire and need others' company to help us along life's long and twisted pathways. Deep down, we know that we will always need people, particularly at critical points in our lives.
Yet, even the most confident of us can feel uncertain in daunting social situations - whether it's that first speech in front of our peers or even what to wear for that office party. It's something to do with the fear that we may be judged and found wanting. It's undoubtedly true that we are all afraid of social failure simply because most of us judge ourselves too harshly.
