Feeling anxious about all those parties? You’re not alone
The festive season inevitably involves a diary full of social engagements. But what if the thought of being with large groups of other people makes your pulse race, your palms feel clammy and your breath come out in short, shallow puffs? Social anxiety is one of the most common types of anxiety disorder.
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Simply put, it causes an overwhelming fear of social situations and affects more than half a million Swedes on a moderate to severe level. This uptick in anxiety can manifest in a fight or flight reaction, your body’s natural response to perceived threat, which then promotes the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol.