Awkward in Social Situations?
What does “feeling awkward” in social situations mean to you? It may mean that you avoid direct eye contact, hesitate to initiate a conversation, feel uncomfortable in your own skin, or question every move you make.
Do you find that your anxiety is palpable as you latch onto one friend and wish for the social event to be over?
Socializing well may come naturally to some, but it sure doesn’t come easily to others. And if you’re like many adults with ADHD, you may find social situations a challenge.
Do you wonder whether you are introverted, socially awkward, or socially anxious? Being introverted is not the same as being socially awkward. Introverts may relish their alone time and may be seen as alert and observant.
Social awkwardness is similar to social anxiety in that they both indicate social situations induce anxiousness or stress. A socially awkward person may feel shame and isolated. They tend to be invited less often than their socially confident counterparts, so their self-confidence may start to spiral downward, too. The longer this struggle goes on, research tells us, the harder it is to move past this struggle.
The good news is that social skills, just like any other life skill, can be practiced and improved at any age. The less-good news is that if awkwardness is not successfully addressed, it does not improve on its own.