How do I start a conversation with social anxiety?
Table of Contents
- “I don’t know anyone around here so I thought I’d come talk to you.” or “I’m a little nervous talking with strangers, but I just had to come say hi.”
- Talk about something you know the person is interested in.
- 3. “
- Talk about a funny, embarrassing moment.
- “What’d you get up to earlier today?
- ‘You look lost.
How do I get over anxious talking to new people?
These steps may help:
- Know your topic.
- Get organized.
- Practice, and then practice some more.
- Challenge specific worries.
- Visualize your success.
- Do some deep breathing.
- Focus on your material, not on your audience.
- Don’t fear a moment of silence.
Do people with social anxiety enjoy making small talk?
I can answer this question as both a psychologist and a person who has had lifelong social anxiety. I never enjoyed making small talk, but I have come to learn the great value that beginning conversations with strangers can have in your life and I no longer avoid striking up conversations.
If you have been feeling this way for at least six months and these feelings make it hard for you to do everyday tasks—such as talking to people at work or school—you may have a social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) is a mental health condition.
How do you respond to people who start talking to you?
It can make people more comfortable to have someone willing to talk with them, especially if they are anxious in a social setting. If someone takes the risk to come up to me and start talking, I respond by being engaging and friendly and try to get to know them better.
How do you manage social anxiety?
Since social anxiety generally comes from a fear of being judged or negatively evaluated by others, I have found that the best way to manage social anxiety is to give myself a “job” to do. I substitute purpose for confidence and meaning for fear.