Telling someone about your struggles with social anxiety can be a very daunting prospect. Many of us have kept our social anxiety secret for many years.

Although it is difficult, it is often helpful to tell at least some people. Who you tell will be down to your individual circumstances but it makes sense to start with those you think most likely to be understanding and empathetic.

Every decision about who to tell, and whether to tell, is down to individual circumstances. It may help to remember that social anxieties are not unusual – or anything to feel ashamed of – the NHS guidelines quote a US study showing 12% of adults will have social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. That equates to over 6 million adults in the UK. Using stricter clinical criteria, lifetime prevalence equates to over 2.5 million adults, with children and teenagers bringing the totals much higher.

Telling trusted others, friends and family can often bring a sense of relief – you no longer have to hide this part of yourself, a part that is quite a common human experience.

Barbara G. Markway who co-wrote the book ‘Painfully Shy’ wrote this helpful article www.psychologytoday.com – To tell or not to tell. Also see this page at www.succeedsocially.com – Telling People You Have Social Anxiety

If you are a friend or family member seeking some guidance on how to talk to someone with SA, please this article at Verywellmind: how to talk to someone with social anxiety

If telling others seems too hard, or you have very few connections or friends, you may also want to consider the discussion board at SAUK – despite the similar acronym it’s entirely independent of SAAUK the charity. Please see our overview of the discussion board at SAUK

Please also see our page on online groups and support.