Social Anxiety & Fear of Judgement

Do you overthink everything you say in social situations? Do social settings leave you feeling tense, self-conscious, or drained?

You might worry about how you’re coming across, or what people think of you or replay conversations long after they’ve ended. Even small interactions can feel exhausting or stressful.

It can feel isolating, but many people with ADHD share in this experience. Learn how therapy can help you feel more confident and less anxious in social settings.

What is Social Anxiety and Fear of Judgement?

Social anxiety is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. More than just "shyness," it is a mental health condition where the stress of social interaction interferes with daily life, work, and relationships.

Fear of judgement (or fear of negative evaluation) is the psychological core of social anxiety. It is the overwhelming worry that you will be perceived as awkward, incompetent, or embarrassing, or look stupid, leading to the avoidance of social situations to stay and feel "safe."

Causes of Social Anxiety

  • Fear of judgement or rejection

  • Past negative social experiences

  • Early childhood experiences, ie bullying.

  • Memories of previous rejections or judgement

  • Overthinking tendencies

  • ADHD-related social difficulties

  • Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

Signs You May Be Struggling with Social Anxiety & Fear of Judgement

  • Overthinking conversations

  • Avoiding social events

  • Fear of saying or doing “the wrong thing”

  • Fear of coming across stupid.

  • Fear of making it ‘awkward’

  • Physical symptoms (sweating, racing heart, panicky) in social situations

  • Replaying interactions afterwards

  • Rehearsing or over preparing for social situations.

  • Feedback feels painful

  • Avoid people in authority positions (ie managers)

Social Anxiety Impact on Your Life

  • Isolation and loneliness

  • Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships

  • Reduced confidence

  • Missed social and career opportunities

  • Strengthens negative beliefs about self

  • Increases avoidance and social withdrawal

  • Low self-esteem and self worth

  • Increased self-doubt

  • Poor quality sleep

  • High anxiety and stress

  • Increases need for masking and overcompensating,

How ADHD Therapy Can Help Social Anxiety & Fear of Judgement:

  • Reducing overthinking and worrying

  • Reduce anxiety and stress

  • Build social confidence

  • Feel confident and able to be your authentic self without concern

  • Improve communication skills including asking for help and communicating your needs

  • Develop coping strategies for social situations

  • Feel able to go into social situations equipped with tools

  • Re frame negative beliefs about yourself

  • Identify negative thoughts, thinking styles or patterns keeping you feeling stuck

  • Stop self-critical thoughts in their tracks.

  • Build a self compassionate voice.

  • Understand how ADHD and social anxiety coexist

  • Understand your ADHD brain more

  • Prevent self-doubt.

  • Improve relationships with others

Ready to Feel More Confident Socially?

You don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. Together, we can help you with feeling more confident socially, by giving you techniques and systems to stop overthinking social situations, stop fearing judgement and feel able to be your authentic self.

Want to find out more how Therapy for ADHD can help you break free from Social Anxiety and the Fear of Judgement?

Book a free ADHD therapy consultation call below to find out more.
Book a free ADHD therapy consultation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Social Anxiety & Fear of Judgement.

  • Overthinking is common in ADHD and anxiety. Your brain may be trying to “get it right” or avoid judgment, even if nothing actually went wrong.

  • This often involves a process of building self-confidence and reducing overthinking patterns. Therapy can help you shift focus away from external validation and feel more comfortable being yourself.

  • Yes—things like reading social cues, impulsivity, or past experiences of social rejection or mistakes can make social situations in the here and now feel more intense or draining.

  • Social anxiety in ADHD is the fear of being judged, criticised, or rejected in social situations, often combined with overthinking and self-doubt.

    ADHD and social anxiety are common, often coexisting together

  • This is a form of overthinking linked to anxiety and ADHD. It’s your brain trying to process the interaction, but it quickly can become unhelpful and repetitive.


  • Many people with ADHD have had difficult social experiences, such as feeling different, being misunderstood, misreading social cues or overthinking interactions, which can increase anxiety relatesd to social sitiuations.

  • There are many signs of social anxiety in adult ADHD, however some of the common signs include:

    • Avoiding social situations

    • over analysing or overthinking conversations

    • worrying about saying the wrong thing

    • worrying about how you come across to others

    • replaying interactions afterwards

    • physical sensations of anxiety before and during social interactions

    • rehearsing, planning or preparing for social interactions

  • Social anxiety can be extremely debilitating for individuals. It can lead to isolation, difficulty connecting with others, difficulty establishing new connections and friendships and holding back your authentic self out of fear of judgement.

  • Therapy helps reduce overthinking, reduce masking, build social confidence and develop practical communication skills so you can feel more comfortable being your authentic self