Social anxiety is a feeling of fear or worry of social situations like meeting or speaking to people. Many people occasionally worry about social situations but someone with social anxiety may feel overwhelmingly worried before, during and after them. You might dread social events, struggle talking to people, avoid eye contact or have low self-esteem. Social anxiety could make you feel self-conscious and worry about other people looking at you or judging you. You might experience changes in your body such as shaking, breathing fast, racing heartbeat or sweating when in social situations.