The Fear of Being Judged runs in families, but no one knows for sure why some people are more affected by it than others.
Millions of people all over the world suffer from this devastating fear, and in the U.S. recent epidemiological studies assessed that it is the third largest in the country reason for people not living a happy life.
Those of us who have The Fear of Being Judged might be afraid of doing common things in front of other people. For some, their fear is a problem only in certain situations, for others β in almost all situations.
People with Fear of Being Judged know that it is irrational and does not make any sense, yet they canβt help perpetuating their anxious thoughts and feelings.
Here are some of the symptoms we may have repeatedly experienced if we have The Fear of Being Judged:
On the emotional level:
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Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in social situations
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An intense worry for days, weeks, or sometimes even months before an upcoming social event
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Fear of being watched or judged by others, people we donβt even know
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Fear that weβll embarrass or humiliate ourselves
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Fear that others will notice that we are nervous
On the physical level:
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Red face/blushing
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Shortness of breath
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Nausea, upset stomach
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Trembling (including shaky voice)
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Racing heart
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Sweating, hot flashes
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Feeling dizzy or faint
Look also for the following behavioral symptoms:
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Avoiding social situations and limiting your activities
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Being quiet and hiding in the background to escape notice and embarrassment
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A need to always bring somebody along with you wherever you go
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Drinking/smoking before or during social situations to calm down
When does it all start?
The first symptoms of The Fear of Being Judged usually start during our youth. It could be related to the fact that we all have a deep need to feel accepted and approved by our environment, and in our teenage years, many of us may have experienced rejection or were ridiculed by other teenagers.
As the human species, we are biologically wired to live in groups and communities to survive. And so, being rejected by our community creates in our subconscious a huge threat to our survival. That can result in developing a deep Fear of Being Judged that gets in the way of going to school or work or doing other everyday things.
When we give in to our Fear of Being Judged we subconsciously (or consciously) want to fulfill the expectations of our parents, spouses, our environment, or society β and so, our life is driven by your need for approval.
Often, in such situations, we neglect our truth, silence our Heart, and fill our head with Mind/Ego desires. Sooner or later we reach a dead end: with unused potential, overwhelming stress, and unfulfilled life.
How to Overcome the Fear of Being Judged:
You may want to start challenging your negative thoughts, either through therapy or on your own. Yes, it can be done. If others could do it, you can do it too.
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Step 1: Identify the automatic negative thoughts that you are having while being anxious about social situations.
You may, for instance, worry about an upcoming work presentation and think that others will think that you are incompetent, and that you are going to blow it.
Ask yourself the following questions:
β Am I sure that Iβm going to blow it?
βEven if others realize that Iβm nervous, will they necessarily think that Iβm incompetent?
Through such logical analyses of the upcoming situation, you may gradually replace the fearful thoughts with more realistic and positive ways of looking at social events that trigger your Fear of Being Judged.
Remember: big steps consist of small steps.
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Step 2: Learn how to control your breath.
There are many things happening in your body when you are being anxious. One of them is shortness of breath, which makes your breath quick and shallow. Such over-breathing throws the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your body off balance β causing dizziness, a feeling of suffocation, increased heart rate, and tensed muscles.
Here is what you can do:
Find a comfortable position, sitting with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Take a few deep breaths, through your nose.
Next β take a deep breath, while counting to 4 β and hold it while counting to 4.
Exhale slowly, counting to 4.
Continue to breathe through your nose that way, until you feel that you are calming down.
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Step 3: Face your fears.
Now that you know how to replace your negative thoughts with more realistic ones, and you know how to control your breath β it is time to face your fears. Stop avoiding social situations.
Avoidance leads to even more problems.
For instance, if you are scared of socializing with strangers, you might start accompanying your friend to a party. Once you are comfortable with that step β you might introduce yourself to one new person. Then to another one, and so on.
Important: do not try to face your biggest fear right away. When you move too fast β you may end up reinforcing your anxiety. Take one step at a time.
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Step 4: Take a class, find a workshop β that teaches self-confidence, and public speaking or helps one to build assertiveness and develop communication skills.
You may also want to volunteer: find a small group of like-minded people and while participating in their activities β focus on the tasks, not on assessing your performance.
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Step 5: Adjust/change your lifestyle.
Avoid or limit caffeine. Coffee, black tea, caffeinated soda, energy drinks, and chocolate act as stimulants that increase anxiety symptoms. Drink only in moderation and quit or limit smoking. Both alcohol and nicotine increase the risk of having an anxiety attack.
Change is truly a matter of choice, nothing else.
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Step 6: Find out who you are at the bottom of your Heart and let yourself be the best you can be according to your, not anybody elseβs terms. You will be happy, and your life will become your Dream Life.
Yes, you fully deserve it. You are worth that, and nothing less.
Don’t give up on yourself.
Keep trying – and you will get there
REMEMBER ALSO: OUR SUBCONSCIOUS rules 90% of our thinking and behavior. It is responsible for our habits, emotions, automatic reactions, defensive mechanisms etc., which may keep you stuck in unwanted situations in life. You can reprogram your subconscious and get rid of the negative patterns stopping you from Living The Life You Want.
Useful Affirmations:
1. βI choose to live my life consciously, without automatic responses, without fearing or rejecting what I perceive as βbitter, unpleasant, or unnecessaryβ. I am happier and develop faster while making conscious choices as to how I react to each experience.β
2. βI am responsible for my own happiness. Not others. Why follow the opinions of those who complain, criticize, ridicule others, or gossip? Could they really be the best advisers in the matters of my happiness, joy, and life wisdom? I listen to my own Heart, observe the abundance of nature and learn to truly enjoy my beautiful life.” β From the award-winning book β365 (+1) Affirmations to Supercharge Your Lifeβ by Johanna Kern.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Johanna Kern, transformational teacher and multiple award-winning author (βMaster and the Green-Eyed Hopeβ, βThe Birth of a Soulβ, βMaster Teachings of HOPEβ, β365 ( 1 +) Affirmations to Supercharge Your Lifeβ, βInner Shadow Transformation β The Banner Methodβ, βSecrets of Loveβ, βShadowland: The Legendβ), many years ago suddenly began to experience regular spontaneous trances in which she found herself in an ancient temple, where she was receiving the Teachings Of Hope from an ancient Master.
Her story received international attention, winning praise by readers in North America and Europe, and endorsement by world-renowned experts in the fields of psychology, the study of dreams & hypnosis, psychophysiology, parapsychology, psi, human development, neuro-computing etc.: Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Jerry Solfvin, PhD. and Brian Van der Horst.
She shares her knowledge and helps people to find their own power and progress in all areas of their lives. Her books and audio recordings are available on this site, as well as on Amazon and other major online retailers around the world β in English, German and Polish languages.
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