Being in college can be really stressful. For some, dealing with so many new people causes nerves and anxiety to flare. If it feels like you can’t breathe or you want to faint, this is a sign of social anxiety.

Social anxiety is the fear of interaction with other people. Often, those who suffer from social anxiety fear being negatively judged and evaluated, and as a result, avoid human contact. Social anxiety can lead to feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, embarrassment, humiliation, and depression.

Social anxiety plays a great role in some people’s lives because it keeps them from being social and wanting to even go out and have a life.

If this applies to you, then these are some tips to help you cope with social anxiety-

Tip #1: Seek counseling.

Tip #2: Talk to someone you trust when you are feeling down.

Tip #3: Look in a mirror and become more comfortable with yourself.

Tip #4: Walk with confidence.

As a college student, you will be asked, “how are you?” You reply back, not knowing if the person is sincere when about that question.

You may sometimes find yourself the outcast of the crowd because you’re not social. When people pose the above question, you might answer like you would any other question and think nothing of it.

Perhaps this is why social anxiety goes unnoticed amongst many students who attend college.

Haywood, a junior journalism major at Ole Miss, was diagnosed with social anxiety during her freshman year of collge. She has suffered from the disorder her whole life, hyperventilating when she is in the spotlight, but is currently managing it with the above tips and anxiety supplements.

Haywood’s advice for those who think they may have social anxiety is to remember that although things never really turn out the way you think they will, just find a comfortable flow within yourself.

If you think you may have social anxiety, reach out to the DSU Campus Counseling Center, which is located in the O.W. Reily Health Center. The counseling center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also contact them at (662) 846-4690.

For more information, go to the Campus Counseling Center website

www.deltastate.edu/student-life/campus-counseling-center/