Social Anxiety or Just Fear of Speaking Up?

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Hello, seeking some reassurance and advice here. I’m about 1 month in my new full-time job after graduation and I feel anxiety a lot of times during social interactions like meetings and upcoming presentations.

I feel imposter syndrome too due to being new and not having a lot of experience and knowledge yet though I feel there are quite a lot of expectations on me to lead meetings and projects.

Due to my inner anxiety, I always feel stuck and not being able to speak up as I fear being judged or negatively perceived. Hence, I usually think and analyse a lot on what to say and how to act before moving forward. However, it’s not to the extent of breaking down and sweating.

I want to know potential cause of this feeling and is there a need to further seek professional help or just requires work on my end?

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Normal. Read up more on soft skills or get professional help. Helps when asking ex classmates about it

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Hi @corporategurlie

Thank you for reaching out and Congratulations on your new job! It’s normal to feel anxious and experience imposter syndrome, especially in a new role. I believe these could be potential causes:

Causes:

  1. Transition stress: Adjusting to a new work environment.
  2. High expectations: Self-imposed or external pressure.
  3. Lack of experience: Feeling uncertain.
  4. Fear of evaluation: Social anxiety.

Do try these:

Self-Help Strategies

  1. Prepare thoroughly: Research, organize thoughts.
  2. Reframe thinking: Focus on learning, growth.
  3. Small steps: Start small, build confidence.
  4. Support network: Colleagues, mentor, friends.
  5. Self-care: Exercise, mindfulness, relaxation.
  6. Realistic goals: Set achievable objectives.

Please seek professional help from a counsellor if you experience :

  1. Overwhelming anxiety: Interferes daily life.
  2. Prolonged self-doubt: Persists, affects performance.
  3. Physical symptoms: Panic attacks, sweating.
  4. Avoidance behaviors: Consistently dodging responsibilities.

You’ve taken the first step by acknowledging concerns. Start with self-help strategies and reassess. If needed, explore professional guidance. I hope it helps to know that what you are going through, though unpleasant, is something many of us can relate to. You can overcome by taking small steady steps forward. :heart:

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Congrats on the new job, @corporategurlie. I think it’s normal to feel anxious during transition periods like this (new environment, new people, new routine). Can observe a bit more and see how it goes.

Have you felt the anxiety being a barrier to meaningful interactions when you were still schooling?

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Thanks! Another 1 more month in, I still feel anxiety even during off-work hours like Sunday and after work. Anxious thoughts continue to cloud my mind.

Back in school, I would be anxious/nervous when I had to present and speak up in classes but I think it was something normal. Now, I feel more hyperaware of this.

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Thank you for your kind words and coping strategies! Another 1 month in now, it becomes a cycle of overthinking or overworrying to the point I become anxious at my anxious thoughts. Growing up, I realise it has a lot to do with my upbringing (authoritative parenting style) that’s ongoing even till now, which led to me having mental roadblocks that speaking up might lead to negative reactions or consequences…

I have previously sought therapy for a while and the therapist deemed me as not required to seek professional help anymore due to my stabilised emotions. I have been practising a bit of CBT strategies and will continue to do so.

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