Social anxiety vs autism: Both can affect a person’s ability to interact and socialise with others, making everyday social situations stressful. Despite some similarities, they are not the same thing.Â
It’s important to understand the differences between these two conditions in order to receive the right help, treatment and support.
In this guide, we’ll explore the symptoms of both social anxiety and autism and how to differentiate between them.
Understanding social anxiety
Social anxiety is a condition characterised by intense fear or discomfort in social situations. People with social anxiety may experience physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, or blushing when faced with socialising. They often have negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves and their ability to interact with others. Social anxiety can be treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Recognising symptoms of social anxiety
Some common symptoms of social anxiety include excessive self-consciousness, fear of being judged or criticised, avoidance of social situations, and physical symptoms like sweating or trembling. Social anxiety can vary in severity and can impact a person’s daily life and relationships.
To understand the effect social anxiety can have, imagine a person with social anxiety is invited to a party. As the date approaches, they start to feel anxious and worried about attending the party. They may have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, or a rapid heartbeat. They might also start to have negative thoughts about themselves, such as “I won’t know anyone there,” “I’ll say something stupid,” or “Everyone will think I’m weird.”
As the person arrives at the party, they may feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable in the social setting. They may struggle to start conversations, make eye contact, or participate in group activities. They may also feel self-conscious and worry that others are judging them.
In response to these feelings, the person may start to avoid social situations altogether. They may turn down future invitations to parties or other social events, which can makes feelings of isolation and loneliness even worse.
A person with social anxiety may be hyper-aware of the expected norms for socialising, and understand how they are expected to act in social situations. However, they may feel ill-equipped to meet those expectations, and this feel anxious.
Understanding autism
Autism, on the other hand, is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. People with autism may have difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication, struggle with social interactions, and engage in repetitive behaviors or routines.
Recognising symptoms of autism
Some common symptoms of autism include difficulty with social interaction, repetitive behaviors or routines, difficulty with communication, and sensory sensitivities. It’s important to note that autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that symptoms can vary greatly in severity and presentation.
Imagine a person with autism is invited to a party. As the date approaches, they might even feel excited about attending the event, but along with that feel anxiety about expected social interactions. They may also feel anxious or overwhelmed about the sensory stimulation they will experience at the party – such as loud music, bright lights, and the presence of many people.
When the autistic person arrives at the party, they struggle to communicate or connect with others in the ways that are expected in social settings. For example, they may not make eye contact, have difficulty interpreting body language or facial expressions, or struggle to initiate or maintain conversations. This may make them feel isolated or misunderstood.
In response to these feelings, the autistic person may seek out quieter areas of the party or may engage in activities that they enjoy, such as playing with a pet or reading a book.
The main difference between autism and social anxiety in this kind of situation, is that an autistic person is aware expected norms for socialising exist, but are unclear about what they are or what they should do to comply with those social standards.
Social anxiety vs autism: similarities & differences
Social anxiety and autism share some similarities in terms of their impact on social functioning, but they are distinct conditions with different causes and diagnostic criteria.
When talking about social anxiety vs autism, one similarity between social anxiety and autism is that individuals with both conditions may experience difficulty in social situations. People with social anxiety often feel intense fear or anxiety in social situations due to a fear of being judged, evaluated, or rejected by others. Similarly, individuals with autism often struggle with social communication and interaction, which can make it difficult for them to form and maintain relationships with others.
Another similarity is that both conditions can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. People with social anxiety may avoid social situations altogether, while those with autism usually have difficulty understanding social cues or expressing themselves, leading them to also avoid socialising. Thus, autistic people may also feel isolated.
That being said, it’s important to note that social anxiety and autism are distinct conditions. Social anxiety is classified as an anxiety disorder and is characterised by excessive and persistent fear of social situations. Autism, on the other hand, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction.
Social anxiety vs autism: diagnosis and treatment
If you suspect that you or someone you know may have social anxiety or autism, it’s important to seek professional help for diagnosis and treatment. This blog post is not meant to be a diagnostic tool. A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, will properly evaluate and diagnose the symptoms of autism or social anxiety disorder. Treatment options may include therapy, medication, or in the case of autism social skills training. It’s important to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength and can lead to improved quality of life.
Social anxiety
Treatment for social anxiety disorder depends on how much it affects your ability to function in daily life. Most people experience some degree of anxiety in some social situations, but if the anxiety is disruptive or debilitating, you may choose to get treatment. Common treatments include psychological counseling or medications, or a combination of the two. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is often used for treating social anxiety disorder.
Autism
Treatment options for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) vary depending on the individual’s needs. For children diagnosed with ASD, early intervention is critical. Speech therapy can help improve communication skills. Since autistic people have specific sensory preferences, occupational therapy can help identify sensory needs and help to meet those needs in a safe way. A psychologist can help manage anxiety.
One of the most challenging aspects of autism can be difficulties with social skills. Social situations can be stressful for autistic children, which means they might want to completely avoid certain environments or situations. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help autistic children improve social skills in a non-stressful setting.
The online Social Express program offered by Sonic Learning is a self-guided course that offers social training in a low-stress environment, presented as animated lessons in a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ format. All you need is a computer or iPad to get started. The Social Express program is supported by health professionals including speech pathologists and occupational therapists, providing coaching and email support throughout the program.
Socialising can be challenging, but it’s a skill that can be acquired
Social anxiety and autism can both affect a person’s ability to interact and socialise with others. Understanding the differences of social anxiety vs autism is important to receive the right help, treatment, and support. While they share some similarities, they are distinct conditions. Both conditions can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, but professional help is available to diagnose and treat social anxiety and autism.
Help is available, including therapy and medication. Many with social anxiety or autism are living happy and successful lives because they got the help they need.
If you’d like to improve social skills, there’s online programs such as Social Express. These research-based games for social skills use animated interactive lessons, addressing:
- Recognising and coping with feelings such as anger, frustration and sadness
- Participating in groups and conversations
- Respecting personal space
- Interpreting non-verbal communication
- Building friendships with others
- Dealing with peer pressure and teasing
The online Social Express program offered by Sonic Learning is a self-guided course that offers social training in a low-stress environment, presented as animated lessons in a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ format. All you need is a computer or iPad to get started. The Social Express program is supported by health professionals including speech pathologists and occupational therapists, providing coaching and email support throughout the program.
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