The (In)Compatability of Social Justice & Social Anxiety

I read a lot. I read on social media, the perspectives of people outside of my limited demographic and experience. I read Native Son and Citizen. I watched documentaries about drag queens and the Rodney King riots. I so desperately wanted to do something—even when basic daily functions were difficult.

People with social anxiety feel the need to be liked—something that stems from evolution and early human settlements where being rejected could lead to death—which can lead them to assign morality and self-worth to others’ perceptions and judgments. The judgments may not be spoken aloud or true, but social anxiety does not care. In short, people with social anxiety sometimes become hyper-fixated on being good people and being perceived as good people.

This can lead them to get involved in social justice pursuits, which at its core is the complete opposite of the hardwired evolutionary social anxiety that tells them to avoid events where danger or unpredictable human behaviors or situations may occur. Social anxiety causes isolationism whereas social justice necessitates social interaction and confrontation externally and internally.

Ziggy Waller, a college student who wrote about his experiences with social anxiety while also being involved in social justice for Health Justice Commons, said, “In general, it makes me feel more regulated when I have positive social interactions and less vulnerable seeing that there are resources and spaces for people like me.”

***

“I don’t think I have social anxiety,” I tell my psychiatric nurse practitioner. We had already finished the general anxiety, depression, and ADHD tests: two positives (general anxiety and depression) and a negative (ADHD).

“Let’s go through the evaluation just to be sure,” she said. I shrug and get on with it.

Since I started school, most probably considered me quiet and shy. But, I had friends. I answered questions in class. In high school, I joined clubs and spoke in front of a crowd. Sure, I was nervous, but nervous is different from anxiety. As I came to learn after I received my diagnosis, social anxiety—or as it is often known, social phobia—does not always present itself as shyness or anti-social behavior.

The National Institute of Mental Health defines social anxiety disorder as, “...an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.” While this can involve a fear of speaking in public or avoiding social situations, it can also make someone feel abnormally anxious eating in front of others or using a public restroom.

“For decades, social anxiety was classed as social phobia because the symptoms are basically the same as other phobic disorders,” said a clinical therapist in Pennsylvania. “But because you are constantly exposed to social situations, it cannot be treated like other phobias where controlled exposure is easier. So, it causes ongoing anxiety and [therefore] has now been classed as a broader anxiety disorder.”

The disorder is reportedly more common in women than in men, but statistics and true studies of this are hard to come by. It can include symptoms like avoidance of social situations, difficulty making eye contact, frequent or uncontrollable blushing, sweating, and what may appear as extreme shyness. Some people with social anxiety disorder only experience it in certain situations, such as when performing or dating. But ultimately the anxiety must be persistent and severe enough to alter a person’s life and normal activities.

School rarely made me nervous, even when I did not know the answer or was not confident in a subject. Presentations may make my stomach turn, but I always got through them. Yet, asking my math teacher—who was also my advisor for the National Honor Society and who I otherwise had a good relationship with—to drop pre-calculus my senior year was so terrifying that I put it off until the last minute. He signed off with just a, “Yeah, no problem.”

My worry was not that he would not sign off. I was worried he would be disappointed in me or judge me for not committing to a second semester of pre-calculus. I also often dozed off in his class because I worked until nine or ten o’clock and took three other Advanced Placement classes that gave me homework each night. Dropping the class—especially since it was not a graduation requirement and I planned on studying English in college—was a no-brainer.

Despite being the best thing for my mental health, I nearly did not go through with it because I was so worried about what my math teacher would say or think. I felt immediate relief once I took the signed form to the office and took on a more relaxed TA position for the first period. Whenever I ducked into the classroom I TA’ed for, I tried to avoid him because I worried his nonchalant attitude had been an act and underneath there was an unrelenting disappointment.

I’m almost certain now that he understood my motivations without my needing to tell him. It was no secret I took on too much and that math was my weakest subject. But, even if I had thought of all that back then, the worries and doubts about his true feelings or thoughts of me would have persisted. I still would’ve wobbled when I approached his desk and made empty eye contact as I handed him the form.

It was the little moments that were telling. While I may feel fine presenting my essay to the class, asking out my crush or standing up to my friends was completely out of the question.

***

Several times in my life I have felt like a bad person. It sometimes is fleeting, but other times it takes hold for a few months, plunging me into a cycle of panic attacks and depression. I feel helpless. I feel useless. I want to make up for my wrongs (whether perceived or true mistakes).

It was during one of these episodes that I first started becoming involved in social justice. I was in no state to do much in the form of protests attending meetings or organizing

physically. I barely went to work and came home without feeling teary-eyed and fluttering in my chest.

According to Cara Williford, a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner licensed in the state of New York, this experience is one that many with social anxiety feel, “I have seen this time and time again with all sorts of anxiety disorders…this is especially true for many women on the spectrum due to an underlying sense of justice that is often associated with autism but also neurodivergence as a whole.” She also notes that many people with other neurodivergent disorders also frequently have social anxiety disorder.

***

As noted in 2023 by Tommy Haugen at Nord Univeristy, “Consistent with evolutionary models of social anxiety…the psychological distress of social uncertainty, particularly combined with uncontrollability… is suggested to be a significant trigger of social anxiety.” In severe cases, this can cause ongoing muscle pain, panic attacks, depression, and isolating one’s self even from simple, mundane social interactions like returning an item to the store—or at its worst—going to work or school.

So, what is possible for someone with social anxiety who wants to be involved in social justice? First, do not beat yourself up. It is important to note that not all spaces are accessible to people with social anxiety. Ziggy Waller—based on his experience in decolonization work and social justice—said, “I feel like this pressure to ‘do something’ can push people into predatory organizations and it can prioritize joining a moment in time over building a new way of life. I'd say maybe four or five years ago, I felt this pressure to do more, and it led me to over-commit, burn out, and maintain relationships with people I felt horrible around.”

If it makes you feel bad, overly exhausted, or triggers severe symptoms, take a step back. There are some ways to make a difference and contribute that are more conducive to social anxiety. Everyone is different and some uncertainty and experimentation are necessary.

Cara Williford said about people with social anxiety disorder participating in social justice, “In my professional experience, it can actually be quite detrimental for certain folks to be involved with certain social justice activities. I’ve recommended putting things down and finding an alternative way to help their cause multiple times…”

There are many alternative ways to get involved in social justice that may be less stressful and triggering for people with social anxiety disorder.

#1: Petitions & Emails

Signing petitions involves little social risk and you can sometimes remain anonymous. Sharing these petitions on social media can further the effect. Additionally, emailing your representatives and writing templates for others to do the same is another low-stakes way to be involved in the social justice community. To take it a step further, create an email specifically for your social justice pursuits so that you can interact with it while at your best and keep your work and personal emails free from potentially triggering material.

#2: Donate Money

Money is quite possibly the most effective tool when it comes to social change. Unfortunately, the majority of people with social anxiety are not independently wealthy recluses. But even a small amount of money can make a difference. This will not be an option for everyone all the time, but if it is for you, even if it is only occasionally, this is a great way to make a difference without potential social anxiety consequences.

#3: Social Media

Social media toes a line. Personally, social media can still trigger my social anxiety when using it for social justice (though this is probably because my views differ significantly from my family and many I went to high school with). Pick the social media you feel most comfortable promoting social justice causes on and do so when possible. Social media can also be a great way to educate yourself and find others who have like-minded ideals. While it involves less confrontation than a protest or face-to-face meeting, people with social anxiety should still tread lightly on social media. Do not be afraid to use the block button. Filter out, unfriend, or unfollow people whose content causes social anxiety (you can do this temporarily or permanently and in ways that will not risk the person finding out). Sometimes though, a full break is necessary and valid. You cannot help your cause if you do not take care of yourself.

#4: Organize Events

It may seem counterintuitive, but organizing events is still possible, even if you don’t go to them. For example, you can help market and promote the event and find the people who can attend. Virtual events can also have merit, especially for education and outreach of a specific cause or for creating support groups. Also, consider less stressful events that could have a social impact like poetry readings or concerts with a social justice angle or theme. While they may not be social disobedience or as in-your-face as protests or other forms of social justice, they can still help the cause while maintaining a safe and less stressful environment.

***

You likely know someone in the approximately twelve percent of adults in the US who have chronic social anxiety disorder. Perhaps you have recognized yourself. Social anxiety is not what many believe it to be—many successful people have social anxiety and others are kept from reaching their full potential due to their debilitating anxiety. As the world grows more social and connected every decade, acceptance, patience, and empathy will make these new, unpaved social environments navigable for people with social anxiety.

There is not one right way to fight for a cause. Despite the guilt some may use to push people with social anxiety to participate in social justice activities that may cause significant harm, experts and those who experience social anxiety disorder agree that this is not helpful for the person or the cause.