In today's episode, titled "Social Anxiety Equals Obsessive Control," we dive into a surprising aspect of social anxiety: the obsessive need for control.

Have you ever thought of yourself as a control freak? Probably not if you’re shy or socially anxious. But what if social anxiety is a different type of controlling behavior? What if the constant worry about how others perceive you, the fear of saying the wrong thing, or the hesitation to approach new people is actually an attempt to control others' thoughts and feelings about you?

In this episode, we’ll explore how this obsessive need for control manifests in social anxiety and why it’s so exhausting and counterproductive. We’ll also discuss the deeper fears driving this need for control and how to begin letting go, allowing yourself to feel more relaxed and confident in social interactions.

Join me as we uncover the root causes of this obsessive control, and learn practical steps to release it, freeing yourself from the chains of social anxiety. By the end of this episode, you'll have new insights and tools to start living more freely and boldly.

Ready to transform your social anxiety? Let’s get started!

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Are You a Control Freak? How Obsessive Control Fuels Social Anxiety

Welcome to Shrink for the Shy Guy. This is the show for you if you're sick and tired of being held back by fear, self-doubt, social anxiety, or anything that stops you from being your authentic self. I'm Dr. Aziz, and today we're diving into a topic that might surprise you: control. Are you a control freak?

Unmasking the Quiet Control Freak

When you think of a control freak, you might picture someone loud, bossy, and domineering. But what if control manifests differently in those of us with social anxiety? What if it's a quiet, obsessive need for control that fuels our anxiety?

Imagine this scenario: You're in a social interaction, feeling tight and restricted. You're worried about what to say, how others perceive you, and whether you're doing it all wrong. This isn't just fear—it's an obsessive need to control the outcome. You want to control how others see you, how they feel about you, and ensure you don't make any mistakes.

The Exhausting Reality of Social Anxiety

Consider how exhausting it is to try to control every social interaction. If you're speaking in front of a group, you might feel the need to manage the thoughts and feelings of every person in the room. This obsessive thinking leads to withdrawal, avoidance, and increased anxiety.

"We obsessively try to control everything because we're terrified of feeling unworthy or unlovable."

The need for control stems from a deeper fear of rejection and a desperate need for approval. We fear that if someone doesn't like us, we'll feel unworthy and unlovable. This fear drives the obsessive thinking and behavior that characterizes social anxiety.

Breaking Free: Embrace Uncertainty

The key to overcoming this obsessive need for control is to embrace uncertainty and the possibility of rejection. It's about realizing that you can't control everything and that's okay. This shift requires both internal work—feeling and processing your emotions—and external action—exposing yourself to situations that challenge your fears.

"The real danger is the feelings we are terrified to face. But feeling those emotions is the path to freedom."

Action Steps to Let Go of Control

Acknowledge Your Patterns: Recognize when you're trying to control others' perceptions of you. Notice the obsessive thoughts and behaviors that arise in social situations.
Feel Your Feelings: Allow yourself to feel the emotions you're avoiding. This might include fear, shame, or unworthiness. Practice staying with these feelings instead of running from them.
Take Bold Action: Challenge yourself to step into situations that scare you. This could be speaking up in a meeting, starting a conversation, or sharing your opinion. Observe what happens without trying to control the outcome.

By practicing these steps, you can begin to dismantle the cage of social anxiety and live more freely and authentically.

A Message of Hope

Breaking free from social anxiety is a journey that starts with recognizing the need for control and challenging it. You have the power to change your story and embrace uncertainty. Remember, you don't have to do this alone. There are resources and support available to help you on your path to liberation.

Until we speak again, may you have the courage to be who you are and to know, on a deep level, that you are awesome.

Thanks for listening to Shrink for the Shy Guy with Dr. Aziz. If you know anyone who can benefit from what you've just heard, please let them know and send them a link to shrinkfortheshyguy.com. For free blogs, e-books, and training videos related to overcoming shyness and increasing confidence, visit socialconfidencecenter.com.