Why social gatherings dey make you uncomfortable
πPidgin English
Published on April 15, 2026 at 9:12β―PM
π©Ί Medically reviewed by Priscilla Afiakurue, MD, Family Medicine Physician | Founder & Lead Medical Editor · Last reviewed: July 2026
π Quick Breakdown
Social anxiety na when person dey feel strong fear or discomfort around people.
E fit make you dey avoid situations—even when you want join, your heart go dey beat very fast.
ππ½ E common—and e fit improve with time and support.
π§ Wetin dey happen?
You fit enter room wey plenty people dey, and then suddenly your body change.
• your heart go begin beat fast
• your mind go dey overthink tins
• you go wan escape commot from dat place or d situation
ππ½ Even small things like greeting or talking fit feel like big matter.
π§ Why e dey happen?
• Fear of judgment
→ you dey worry wetin people go think
• Past experience
→ maybe cos of embarrassment before
• Sensitive mind and body
→ brain dey react quickly
ππ½ Your brain dey try protect you—even when no real danger dey.
π§ How you go know say e no dey normal?
• you dey avoid people completely
→ no social interaction
• anxiety too strong
→ e start to affect your work or your life
• overthinking after every conversation
→ u dey replay things for your mind everytime
ππ½ When e begin control your life, you go need check up o.
π§ Wetin you fit do by yourself or for house
• start with small social steps
→ greet people, ask simple questions or join short conversations
• practice slow breathing
→ e fit help calm your body before or during social situations
• challenge negative thoughts
→ ask yourself, "I get evidence say dem really dey judge me?" Sometimes people dey busy with their own worries.
ππ½ Progress no need big steps—small wins dey build confidence over time.
π§ Real life example
Chinedu prepare well for d office meeting.
Before e reach him turn to talk, him mind begin run.
"If I talk now, dem go think say I no know wetin I dey talk about."
"What if everybody laugh?"
"What if I embarrass myself?"
As e look around, everybody just dey listen as normal to for d meeting. Nobody even dey look am.
But for him mind, e be like everybody eye don face only am.
When e finally get chance to share him idea, e just say,
"No... e no important again."
After d meeting, one colleague later mention say,
"Ah, I been think say you wan add something. I for like hear your idea."
Na then Chinedu realise say d story wey him mind create no really match wetin happen.
ππ½ Social anxiety fit make your mind overestimate how much other people dey notice or judge you—even when dem no dey think that at all.
π§π©Ί When you suppose go hospital π¨
• you dey avoid almost every social situation
• anxiety dey affect your work, school or relationships
• symptoms dey get worse instead of better
• you begin feel hopeless or depressed
ππ½ Professional help fit teach you practical ways to manage social anxiety and gradually rebuild confidence.
π’ Final reassurance
Social anxiety no define who you be o.
ππ½ With understanding and practice, confidence go grow step by step.
π Reference
For full medical references, see English version of this article.
β οΈ Disclaimer
This article na for education only. E no replace advice from doctor.
πRelated Health Topics
• Anxiety
• Stress and burnout
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• PTSD
• Heart attack vs Heartburn vs Anxiety
ππ½ If you still get questions or prefer full medical detail? Read English version