How do you hide your anxiety?

[fearNOmore]

I have a lot of anxiety when in a social environment. I'm fine with a simple greeting. It's carrying on a conversation (especially in a group) that gets me.

It seems that my main fear is somebody noticing I'm nervous. If I think somebody picks up on it my anxiety intensifies. I start avoiding eye contact and I'm sure I make awkward body movements.

Does anybody else have the intense fear of others noticing your anxiety?
Any advice? thanks

[Andreas85]

I have a lot of anxiety when in a social environment. I'm fine with a simple greeting. It's carrying on a conversation (especially in a group) that gets me.

It seems that my main fear is somebody noticing I'm nervous. If I think somebody picks up on it my anxiety intensifies. I start avoiding eye contact and I'm sure I make awkward body movements.

Does anybody else have the intense fear of others noticing your anxiety?
Any advice? thanks

You can't hide social anxiety and I think all effort to do so only makes it more obvious. I think a first step is to just accept that you can't hide it. People are very accepting generally.
I wrote a blog about overcoming anxiety, maybe you could check that out.
andreas-thoughtsandideas.blogspot[dot]com

[Robbed]

People are very accepting generally.

I'm not so sure about that. Anyway, when I am in a social situation, I always feel that having people notice that I am uncomfortable is the VERY LEAST of my worries.

[fearNOmore]

I'm not so sure people are accepting either. I don't really give people a chance to show me though. That's something I want to change.

[bonny lad]

Hi FearNOmore I get anxious when I walk into somewhere new like a pub and someone laughs and i KNOW there laughin at me. then i start worryin how i look and start sweatin and that makes it worse. I agree with andreas85 (when Im not anxious) that a lot of peole are very acceptin but its tryin to believe it when someone laughs at you

[meganjo]

hi fearnomore.. if you have social anxiety disorder then the better way is to not hide it... do the exact opposite thing, it is the only way to override it.

[bigcat1967]

I think a first step is to just accept that you can't hide it.

I think acceptance is the key. I have accepted many type of SA symptoms before - and I find out that it eventually doesn't bother me.