[annoyedgrunt84]

Is this a symptom of social anxiety? Does any one else experience this feeling of being constantly afraid that you will say the wrong thing and then people won't like you?

[CosmicRose]

Yes that's a very characteristic sign of social anxiety, probably one of the main feelings. It makes you feel very wired and uptight around people, unable to relax, feeling like you're going to mess up and say the wrong thing. This is a sign that you're caring too much. You care too much about how others are perceiving you. This will lessen if you try to stop caring about how you come across to others.

This is actually also a sign that you're a sensitive and empathetic person who cares about how other people feel. You do not want to upset them or make anyone feel bad. This can be a good trait, except when it gets in your own way. Just work on that spectrum of not caring too much, caring just enough - not to where it impedes your own happiness. Even if you end up saying something stupid, forget about it and let it go as quickly as possible, don't dwell on it. Everyone says the wrong thing sometimes.

[jdk82]

I feel this around certain people. I have a tendency towards saying and doing things that hurt others because of my personality so I at least know where it comes from. Due to this I end up holding back a lot of my thoughts around everyone and thinking long and hard about what I say around those closest to me. This definitely is a sign of empathy gone too far.

When I do begin to feel anxiety over an interaction I have to talk myself down in a similar fashion that CosmicRose described, but other ways as well. I just recently talked to my wife about an incident that occurred 12 years ago to get a bit of closure over it to stop the anxiety over it from recurring. She didn't even remember, much less care! Not always the case, but it usually turns out okay anyway.

[Rebound]

Originally Posted by CosmicRose

Yes that's a very characteristic sign of social anxiety, probably one of the main feelings. It makes you feel very wired and uptight around people, unable to relax, feeling like you're going to mess up and say the wrong thing. This is a sign that you're caring too much. You care too much about how others are perceiving you. This will lessen if you try to stop caring about how you come across to others.

This is actually also a sign that you're a sensitive and empathetic person who cares about how other people feel. You do not want to upset them or make anyone feel bad. This can be a good trait, except when it gets in your own way. Just work on that spectrum of not caring too much, caring just enough - not to where it impedes your own happiness. Even if you end up saying something stupid, forget about it and let it go as quickly as possible, don't dwell on it. Everyone says the wrong thing sometimes.

Sadly, for me, instead of being able to follow this advice, I try to fit in by talking more anyway but not in conjunction with the second part; then I leave feeling like I have said the exact worst thing.

Good luck to the OP. I have a hard time getting this to work but I have no doubt it's worth the effort.