How Can I Be More Assertive When I Have Social Anxiety?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Assertive Communication?Being Assertive When You Have SADThe Importance of Being AssertiveHow to Be More AssertiveAssertive Nonverbal Behavior

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Assertive Communication?

Being Assertive When You Have SAD

The Importance of Being Assertive

How to Be More Assertive

Assertive Nonverbal Behavior

Close

If you have social anxiety disorder (SAD), being assertive can feel like a struggle. We get it. Being upfront about our feelings and sharing them with others feels hard, to the point that we would just rather keep them to ourselves.The problem is people can’t read our minds, so we will often find our needs going unmet—and we don’t want that, right?At a GlanceAssertiveness can feel daunting and difficult, especially for those of us with social anxiety disorder—but the good news is, it’s still possible to communicate assertively. Being clear and honest about our needs, rather than assuming others can read our mind, using “I” statements, learning how to say no, and making sure our nonverbal communication speaks with confidence are some ways we can practice being assertive.Back Up, What Do You Mean By Assertive Communication?Assertive communication looks like the following:It is thestraightforward and open expressionof our needs, desires, thoughts, and feelings.Involvesadvocating for our own needswhile still considering and respecting the needs of others.Involves the use of"I" statements, such as “I need some help preparing dinner for our guests this evening.“It is a way of making sure our needs are met while stillconsidering the needs of others.Being Assertive When You Have SADIf you live with social anxiety disorder, communicating assertively may feel uncomfortable at first. You have probably adopted apassive communicationstyle that enables you to avoid conflict but leaves you feeling anxious, depressed, and helpless and causes frustration and discomfort to those around you. Learning to communicate assertively is not selfish; it’s actually an effective way of negotiating social encounters.You may have misconceptions about what it means to be assertive.People who communicate assertivelyAre not pushy or obnoxiousDo not step on the feelings of others to get what they want, as is the case withaggressive communicationInstead, assertive communication involves expressing your feelings, needs, and desires in a nonjudgmental and nonthreatening way.Assertive communication can also be considered helpful to others, because you are giving clear information about what you need to be satisfied. By doing so in a nonthreatening manner, you give others the opportunity to refuse your requests if your needs conflict with their needs.The Importance of Being AssertiveStill not sure if assertive communication is the way to go?Consider that most of your daily encounters will be with people who are communicating and behaving assertively.They are telling you what they need from you and expecting you to refuse if their needs conflict with yours. If a request is too large or too difficult, it’s up to you to communicate why you can’t comply.By the same token, others expect you to tell them what you need.Instead of expecting others to read your mind, or hoping that they will guess what you want,try being clear, honest, and openabout your needs.Assertiveness Can Improve Your Relationships—Here’s HowHow to Be More AssertiveAssertive statements generally begin with the word “I” and directly express what you are thinking or feeling.Don’t get us wrong: Being assertive doesn’t mean stepping on the toes of others or berating them. The goal of being assertive is to negotiate social situations in a way that benefits everyone.Some examples of assertive statements:“I enjoyed talking with you.““I like to watch horror movies.““I feel hurt that you talked about me behind my back.““I know that the children come first, but I feel sad that we don’t spend any time alone.“To speak assertively, put these pieces of the sentence together:Start with the word “I.“Add a verb that describes what you are feeling (like, dislike, want, need, feel, love, hate, wish…)Finish the sentence to describe what it is that you are feeling (“I wish you would spend more time with me, I’m feeling very lonely”).Quick TipKeep “you” out of the sentence, keep your emotions under control, and just share what you are feeling.Try it again:I..can’t…help you with that task because my calendar is full.See, it doesn’t have to be overly thought out or complicated! It’s about being direct and expressing your needs. Once you start to do it regularly, it will feel more natural. It’s especially important for you to learnhow to say no, as this can be an area in which those with social anxiety struggle.How to Be More AssertiveAssertive Nonverbal BehaviorIn addition to what you say, your nonverbal communication can also be passive, assertive, or aggressive. Read each of the following passages and see if you see the difference.“Jane keeps quiet and hopes everyone will guess what she wants. She speaks hesitantly with a weak voice, and gives up easily. She tends to look down or away, has poor posture, and keeps her head down. She fidgets a lot and nods in agreement no matter what is said.““Julie pays close attention to what is said around her, speaks with a strong relaxed voice, makes good eye contact, and stands up straight. She expresses concern and seeks out fairness in situations.““Jack is sarcastic and comes across like a know-it-all. He needs to win at all costs, speaks loudly, and stares at people. He tends to stand with his feet apart and his hands on his hips. He also likes to point his finger and move abruptly.“Your goal should be to emulate the second style—that of Julie—which reflects asserttive nonverbal behavior.What This Means For YouThe next time that you are feeling angry or resentful, consider how you are communicating. By learning to be more assertive, you will reduce anxiety and improve your relationships with others.What’s Your Communication Style? Take the Quiz and Find Out

If you have social anxiety disorder (SAD), being assertive can feel like a struggle. We get it. Being upfront about our feelings and sharing them with others feels hard, to the point that we would just rather keep them to ourselves.

The problem is people can’t read our minds, so we will often find our needs going unmet—and we don’t want that, right?

At a GlanceAssertiveness can feel daunting and difficult, especially for those of us with social anxiety disorder—but the good news is, it’s still possible to communicate assertively. Being clear and honest about our needs, rather than assuming others can read our mind, using “I” statements, learning how to say no, and making sure our nonverbal communication speaks with confidence are some ways we can practice being assertive.

At a Glance

Assertiveness can feel daunting and difficult, especially for those of us with social anxiety disorder—but the good news is, it’s still possible to communicate assertively. Being clear and honest about our needs, rather than assuming others can read our mind, using “I” statements, learning how to say no, and making sure our nonverbal communication speaks with confidence are some ways we can practice being assertive.

Back Up, What Do You Mean By Assertive Communication?

Assertive communication looks like the following:

If you live with social anxiety disorder, communicating assertively may feel uncomfortable at first. You have probably adopted apassive communicationstyle that enables you to avoid conflict but leaves you feeling anxious, depressed, and helpless and causes frustration and discomfort to those around you. Learning to communicate assertively is not selfish; it’s actually an effective way of negotiating social encounters.

You may have misconceptions about what it means to be assertive.

People who communicate assertively

Instead, assertive communication involves expressing your feelings, needs, and desires in a nonjudgmental and nonthreatening way.

Assertive communication can also be considered helpful to others, because you are giving clear information about what you need to be satisfied. By doing so in a nonthreatening manner, you give others the opportunity to refuse your requests if your needs conflict with their needs.

Still not sure if assertive communication is the way to go?

Consider that most of your daily encounters will be with people who are communicating and behaving assertively.

They are telling you what they need from you and expecting you to refuse if their needs conflict with yours. If a request is too large or too difficult, it’s up to you to communicate why you can’t comply.

By the same token, others expect you to tell them what you need.

Instead of expecting others to read your mind, or hoping that they will guess what you want,try being clear, honest, and openabout your needs.

Assertiveness Can Improve Your Relationships—Here’s How

Assertive statements generally begin with the word “I” and directly express what you are thinking or feeling.

Don’t get us wrong: Being assertive doesn’t mean stepping on the toes of others or berating them. The goal of being assertive is to negotiate social situations in a way that benefits everyone.

Some examples of assertive statements:

To speak assertively, put these pieces of the sentence together:

Quick TipKeep “you” out of the sentence, keep your emotions under control, and just share what you are feeling.

Quick Tip

Keep “you” out of the sentence, keep your emotions under control, and just share what you are feeling.

Try it again:

I..

can’t…

help you with that task because my calendar is full.

See, it doesn’t have to be overly thought out or complicated! It’s about being direct and expressing your needs. Once you start to do it regularly, it will feel more natural. It’s especially important for you to learnhow to say no, as this can be an area in which those with social anxiety struggle.

In addition to what you say, your nonverbal communication can also be passive, assertive, or aggressive. Read each of the following passages and see if you see the difference.

“Jane keeps quiet and hopes everyone will guess what she wants. She speaks hesitantly with a weak voice, and gives up easily. She tends to look down or away, has poor posture, and keeps her head down. She fidgets a lot and nods in agreement no matter what is said.”

“Julie pays close attention to what is said around her, speaks with a strong relaxed voice, makes good eye contact, and stands up straight. She expresses concern and seeks out fairness in situations.”

“Jack is sarcastic and comes across like a know-it-all. He needs to win at all costs, speaks loudly, and stares at people. He tends to stand with his feet apart and his hands on his hips. He also likes to point his finger and move abruptly.”

Your goal should be to emulate the second style—that of Julie—which reflects asserttive nonverbal behavior.

What This Means For YouThe next time that you are feeling angry or resentful, consider how you are communicating. By learning to be more assertive, you will reduce anxiety and improve your relationships with others.

What This Means For You

The next time that you are feeling angry or resentful, consider how you are communicating. By learning to be more assertive, you will reduce anxiety and improve your relationships with others.

What’s Your Communication Style? Take the Quiz and Find Out

SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anxiety BC.Effective Communication: Improving Your Social Skills.Markway BG, Carmin CN, Pollard CA, Flynn T. Dying of Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety & Phobia. Oakland, CA: Harbinger; 1992.Smith, M. J. (1975). When I Say No, I Feel Guilty. United States: The Dial Press.Social Anxiety Institute.Acting Assertively.University of Wisconsin.Non-verbal assertive behaviors.

Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anxiety BC.Effective Communication: Improving Your Social Skills.Markway BG, Carmin CN, Pollard CA, Flynn T. Dying of Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety & Phobia. Oakland, CA: Harbinger; 1992.Smith, M. J. (1975). When I Say No, I Feel Guilty. United States: The Dial Press.Social Anxiety Institute.Acting Assertively.University of Wisconsin.Non-verbal assertive behaviors.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Anxiety BC.Effective Communication: Improving Your Social Skills.Markway BG, Carmin CN, Pollard CA, Flynn T. Dying of Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety & Phobia. Oakland, CA: Harbinger; 1992.Smith, M. J. (1975). When I Say No, I Feel Guilty. United States: The Dial Press.Social Anxiety Institute.Acting Assertively.University of Wisconsin.Non-verbal assertive behaviors.

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