Do you ever feel like you can’t quite put your finger on what’s wrong, but things just don’t feel right? You’re not alone. This sensation is so common that psychologists have a name for it: communication apprehension. But communication apprehension refers to what? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out!
Communication Apprehension Refers To What?
In case you’re not familiar with the term, communication apprehension refers to the feeling of anxiety and fear when it comes to communicating with other people. Surprisingly, this is a pretty common issue.
So, why do we get so anxious? Well, it’s a pretty complicated issue. Scientists believe that communication apprehension is caused by a combination of both personal and situational factors. While there’s no single cause for communication apprehension, there are certain things that can make it worse.
For example, if you’re going into a situation where you’ll be judged (like a job interview or a first date). Or if you’re around people that make you feel awkward (like an overly talkative extrovert or an angry boss), it could make you more nervous than usual.
Just like any other mental health condition, communication apprehension affects everyone differently. Some people are pretty comfortable speaking in front of others. Others might have such extreme anxiety that they have trouble even leaving the house.
In some cases, the fear of communicating with other people can become so severe that it disrupts your daily life and causes real problems in your career and relationships. So although communication apprehension is extremely common, it can also be very serious if left untreated.
Tips to Overcome Communication Apprehension
If you have this, what can you do to overcome communication apprehension? Not a lot. But there are a few things you can try. For example, you can:
Practice Being Social
Some people get so anxious about communicating with other people that they avoid it altogether. But if you want to conquer this fear, you need to practice being social. This means going out of your comfort zone and meeting new people. For example, join an online group or take a class on something that interests you.
If You’re Shy, Practice Being Outgoing
If you’re normally shy, this can be especially hard. But the more you practice being outgoing, the more comfortable you’ll feel in social settings. Just like anything else, it takes time and practice to make a real change. So even if it doesn’t feel natural at first, keep trying to make the most of your time with the people around you.
Overcome Your Communication Apprehension
Regardless of what you try, there’s no guaranteed way to beat communication apprehension overnight. However, if you keep trying and remain proactive in dealing with this challenge, hopefully, the way that you communicate with others will feel less stressful in time.
As a result, you will find that you can communicate better with others. This will greatly improve all aspects of your life. May it be your work life, personal life, family life, and more.
