Social anxiety makes it difficult to form close, trusting relationships with other people, and to be at your best when you’re in the spotlight. It’s hard to be vulnerable with the people you care about when you’re worried about what they might think of you, or the ways you might disappoint them. It’s also hard to bring your best to your work when your mind is racing with all the mistakes you might make. Even when you know all the right things to tell yourself, you might feel too panicky to shake off the worry. You might find yourself avoiding situations that cause you anxiety, or you might get into them and feel frozen with fear. You also might find yourself hiding important things from others to avoid disappointing them.